Video conference of the members of the European Council, 21 January 2021

Summary:

EU National leaders held a videoconference on 21 January 2021 to discuss coordination on tackling the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Further information:

Leaders noted the seriousness of the pandemic in the light of new COVID-19 variants in circulation across Europe. They highlighted that importance of increasing sequencing capacity. They welcomed the adoption of a Council Recommendation on a common framework for the validation of rapid antigen tests and on the mutual recognition of test results. There was also a discussion on the importance of keeping borders open to ensure the functioning of the European Union's single market.

Members of the European Council expressed their intention to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination rollout and highlighted that delivery commitments made by companies must be respected. They agreed to work on standardised and inter-operable form of proof of vaccination for medical purposes. Leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with third countries in terms of accessing vaccines.

Under other topics, the leaders condemned the detention of Russian opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, upon his return to the country.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Deutsche Welle, 21/01/2021: Coronavirus: Will EU countries close borders again? https://p.dw.com/p/3oDtI

EPRS: At a Glance, January 2021: Outcome of the European Council video-conference of 21 January 2021 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2021)662601

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News

Bloomberg, 19/01/2021: EU Leaders Vent at Drugs Regulator Over Slow Vaccine Approval https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-19/europe-sets-its-sights-on-vaccinating-70-of-adults-by-summer

Reuters. 21/01/2021: EU leaders convene amid vaccine delays, virus variant fears https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN29Q001

Associated Press, 21/01/2021: EU leaders agree to keep borders open, want to limit travels https://apnews.com/article/1f7e9b1a86f7b4c07b20db10c096924a

Jornal Económico, 21/01/2021: European Union keeps common borders open https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/en/noticias/uniao-europeia-mantem-abertas-as-fronteiras-comuns-691494

EUObserver, 21/01/2021: EU leaders to discuss vaccine certificates https://euobserver.com/political/150672

France24, 22/01/2021: EU leaders 'discourage' travel, consider tougher border rules to curb Covid https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210122-eu-leaders-discourage-travel-consider-imposing-tougher-border-rules

EUObserver, 22/01/2021: EU leaders keep open borders, despite new corona variant risk https://euobserver.com/coronavirus/150691

Politico, 22/01/2021: EU leaders see ‘dark red’ and urge Brussels to speed up vaccine delivery https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-leaders-see-dark-red-as-pandemic-worsens-and-urge-brussels-to-speed-up-vaccine-delivery/

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Official

European Council: Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their video conference of 21 January 2021 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/01/18/invitation-letter-by-president-charles-michel-to-the-members-of-the-european-council-ahead-of-their-video-conference-of-21-january-2021/

European Council: Oral conclusions drawn by President Charles Michel following the video conference of the members of the European Council on 21 January 2021 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/01/21/oral-conclusions-by-president-charles-michel-following-the-video-conference-of-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-21-january-2021/

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel, following the EU Leaders' videoconference https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_21_189

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