Corporate DispatchPro JOANNA DRAKE
Putting more ‘Europe’ in European Solidarity The eyes of Europeans are turned upon EU institutions as national governments struggle under the weight of the coronavirus. In the wake of the Covid-19 threat, the European Commission mobilised all tools at its disposal to assist member states with critical needs such as securing the flow of goods around the bloc or placing joint orders for medical supplies and bringing stranded citizens safely home. The swift actions were crucial to limit the viral spread and support jobs in the immediate term, but it became increasingly clear that a strategic, long-term response was needed to address the deeper effects of the disease on economies and communities. While the epicentre of the pandemic was rapidly shifting from China to Europe in the first weeks of the new year, EU leaders left discussions about the Europe’s budget also technically known as the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) to focus on the unprecedented hazard hitting their countries. But the unfinished business over the EU budget could now hold the key to demonstrate European solidarity in its most tangible form. As late as February, European Council President Charles Michel attempted to broker an agreement pegging the MFF at 1.07 percent of gross national income before it was turned down by heads of state. Since then, the context has changed so much that the question is no longer about finding a workable GNI percentage but repurposing the EU budget to send a powerful signal of community spirit among member states to EU citizens. Talks about the MFF now offer the best opportunity to reconcile the major goals for the medium-to-long term objectives of the Union: the economic rebuild in member states, the European Green Deal, 11
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