22/02/2021
1- Rewriting the EU trade playbook: The Commission has set out a robust, new trade strategymeant to further strengthen the EU’s toolbox in defending its interests. The strategy builds on theEU’s openness to contribute to the economic recovery through support for the green and digitaltransformations.
2-Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis makes a strong case for Europe’s Recovery andResilience Facility: As announced in the previous issue, with the adoption of the Recovery andResilience Facility, the major part of Next Generation EU had become a reality. During hisaddress at the informal ECFIN press conference that took place on 16 February, Dombrovskisgave credit to this reality by delivering an inspirational address on the role of the Commission infinalising the Next Generation EU and the efforts made and due to be made by the MemberStates to prepare their national Recovery and Resilience plans. More here.
3-Coronavirus: preparing Europe for the increased threat of variants: The Commission isproposing immediate action to prepare Europe for the increased threat of coronavirus variants.The new European bio-defence preparedness plan against COVID-19 variants called “HERAIncubator” will work with researchers, biotech companies, manufacturers and public authorities inthe EU and globally to detect new variants, provide incentives to develop new and adaptedvaccines, speed up the approval process for these vaccines, and ensure scaling up ofmanufacturing capacities
