Research and innovation will have a key role for getting over the coronavirus pandemic and for coping with its long-term sequels, EU research ministers said during their informal videoconference on Tuesday afternoon, organised by the Croatian Presidency of the Council. 

In the midst of coronavirus pandemic, the Council backed in haste on Tuesday so called Mobility Package I, the notorious truck drivers’ reform, which is a step in a complex and lengthy procedure towards its final adoption. The package covers three legislative files concerning posting of drivers, driving time and rest periods, and market access and cabotage.

At the initiative of the Croatian Justice Minister Dražen Bošnjaković, on Monday was held a video conference of the Ministers of Justice of the EU Member States. EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, also took part.

In searching coordinated solutions for reducing the magnitude of the shocks that threaten European economy, European Council President Charles Michel convened on Tuesday evening a videoconference with the presidents of the Commission, the ECB and the Eurogroup, as a first follow up to the summit of 26 March.

The European Union is stepping up its efforts to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya, thereby contributing to the peace process in the country, through the launch of a new CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) military operation in the Mediterranean, EEAS reported on Tuesday. The Council today adopted a decision launching Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI as from 1 April 2020.

The Council adopted on Monday two legislative acts, proposed by the Commission, to quickly release funding from the EU budget for tackling the COVID-19 crisis. One of the acts amends the rules of the structural and investment funds, while the other extends the scope of the EU Solidarity Fund.

After more than six hours discussions during the informal videoconference summit on Thursday, EU leaders produced a joint statement on the EU actions in response to the Covid-19 outbreak and eyed for exit strategy and post-crisis recovery plan.

At a videoconference summit that is taking place on Thursday afternoon, EU leaders are trying to come up with a united position on how to help their troubled economies after the onset of the coronavirus epidemic and to reduce its negative impact on the citizens.

The Council of the EU took a political agreement on Tuesday to open EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. At a video conference of the General Affairs Council in a written procedure, the ministers endorsed the proposal unanimously. This was the only item on the agenda of the meeting.

The European Union will send €20 million in humanitarian aid to Iran, which is subject to US sanctions, to help alleviate the coronavirus, and will also support Tehran’s request for IMF financial help, the EU’s top diplomat said.