Britain contemplates joining EU coronavirus vaccine scheme
Britain is discussing with the European Union whether it will join a plan by the bloc to secure supplies of potential vaccines against COVID-19, officials in London and Brussels said on Friday.
The UK-EU talks, first reported by the Financial Times, represent a test of the cooperation required to tackle international emergencies after Brexit.
The EU is planning to spend around 2 billion euros (1.80 billion pounds) on the advance purchase of vaccines in testing, on behalf of the 27 EU states.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she is trying to convince “a significant number” of world leaders to join forces and buy vaccines up front together, as competition for a vaccine could otherwise raise the cost for everyone.
“We have reached out to the UK, inviting them to express their interest if they want to participate in the joint EU approach established by the vaccine strategy,” a Commission spokesperson said.
“Discussions are now ongoing with the UK.”
Asked about the FT report, a British government spokesman confirmed that it was under consideration but did not say a decision had been taken.
“Work is ongoing to determine whether and how the UK participates in the EU Vaccines Strategy,” he said in a statement.
London is assessing whether the advantages of the European bloc’s bargaining power to strike deals with international drugs companies outweigh the broader political desire to sever ties with Brussels, the FT report said, citing UK officials.
(Source: Reuters)
Nikki Haley faces protests over Israeli genocide support on Oxford visit
Church of England sex scandal
Over half of Britons say Israel committing war crimes in Gaza: Poll
Israeli war criminals 'not welcome', US city says after ICC ruling
US vetoing of Gaza ceasefire resolution ‘disgraceful’: Iran’s UN envoy
VIDEO | IAEA adopts anti-Iran resolution tabled by E3
VIDEO | Iran's president urges Pope to help end Israel's onslaught in Gaza
Iran's senior legal official: ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu ‘great victory'
Nov. 21: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
VIDEO | Israeli forces storm West Bank’s Jenin again, target civilians
Iran activates advanced centrifuges after IAEA's 'unjust' resolution
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
