How to deal with the Covid-19 and its consequences, and especially how to help the pandemic-hit economies, discussed on Thursday afternoon at a videoconference the EU27 leaders, together with the presidents of the European Council, the European Commission and in the first part of the session – with the president of the European Parliament. 

Following his speech at the European Council meeting that is held on Thursday via videoconference, EP President David Sassoli stressed that there is a need to use all the tools available, particularly for the reconstruction plan.

Against the backdrop of the growing coronavirus crisis and its devastating impact on European economies, EU27 leaders started discussing at a videoconference on Thursday afternoon the next steps for Europe's recovery. This is also in the context of the increasing intransigence of the North and South positions regarding the funding of the necessary reconstruction measures.

The Council adopted in a written procedure on Wednesday new rules amending two regulations, intended to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the fishery and aquaculture sector. The revamped regulation will be published in the EU Official Journal probably on 24 April and will enter into force on the following day.

At a video conference on Thursday, EU trade ministers held an exchange of views on the impact of Covid-19 on trade relations and on global value and supply chains. The meeting was chaired by Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister for foreign and European affairs of Croatia, together with EU Trade Commissioner, Phil Hogan.

The EU unlocks €3.1bn from the EU 2020 budget to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak, under the two amendments that the Council adopted on Tuesday by written procedure. The EU is making available almost all the remaining money from this year's budget to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The implications of the coronavirus crisis on the educational systems across the EU and the challenges arising due to the switch to distance education, were highlighted on Tuesday during the informal video conference of ministers of education, organised by the Croatian Presidency.

In a statement, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said on Friday the agreement of the Eurogroup is a “significant breakthrough”. He pointed out that more than half a trillion euros are now available to shield European Union countries, workers and businesses. “With this unparalleled package we shoulder the burden of the crisis together. This compromise is aimed at quick targeted relief."

How the current pandemic affects the cultural and creative sectors and possible measures for alleviating negative effects of the crisis, were among the main topics during the video conference of the EU Ministers of Culture, held on Wednesday afternoon. 

European Union finance ministers failed to agree in all-night talks on more support for their coronavirus-hit economies and their chairman said on Wednesday morning he was suspending the discussions until Thursday.