Precisely nine months before the end of the post-Brexit transition period, on Monday, the EU and the UK held their first Joint Committee meeting via teleconference. The main focus was on the implementation and application of the Withdrawal Agreement. The proper and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, which entered into force on 1 February 2020, is a key priority for the EU, said a statement by the Commission following the meeting.

In the context of the strong measures taken by Member States to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the EU, the continued free movement of all workers in critical occupations is essential, read the newest guidelines published on Monday by the Commission.

The Commission has announced on Monday up to €38m in immediate support for the Western Balkans (WB) to tackle the health emergency caused by coronavirus and reallocation of €374m to help the socio-economic recovery of the region.

A statement by EC President Ursula von der Leyen, disseminated on Saturday evening, reads what are the next items on the Commission’s agenda in its work to fight the economic effects of the coronavirus crisis.

An arrangement that will allow bringing appeals and solving trade disputes among them despite the current paralysis of the WTO Appellate Body, was agreed on Friday by the EU and 15 other members of the WTO.

To preserve EU companies and critical assets, especially in areas of health, medical research, biotechnology and infrastructures that are essential for the security and public order, the Commission issued guidelines to ensure that in a time of public health crisis and economic vulnerability, a strong EU-wide approach to foreign investment screening is used.

A Joint Communication and the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for 2020-2024, defining the EU priorities in this area, were adopted on Wednesday by the EU executive and the EC High Representative.

In the context of the EU response to coronavirus outbreak, the Commission adopted decisions on harmonised standards, which will allow manufacturers to place on the market high performing medical protective devices.

Network resilience was discussed at a videoconference by Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton and CEOs of European telecommunication companies and GSMA, the association of mobile telecommunications operators.

European Union finance ministers formally endorsed on Monday the suspension of EU limits on governments borrowing to give the 27 EU countries a free hand in fighting the disastrous effects of the coronavirus epidemic on the economy. Ministers, meeting by videoconference, gave the green light to a European Commission proposal triggering the “general escape clause” from the bloc's budget rules.