06 May,2021 03:01 PM IST | Brussels | ANI
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday said that she is ready to discuss solutions to help increase the production of Covid-19 vaccines for global vaccination. "Our priority is to ramp up production to achieve global vaccination. At the same time we are open to discuss any other effective and pragmatic solution.
In this context we are ready to assess how the US proposal could help achieve that objective," the EU chief tweeted. "In the short run, however, we call upon all vaccine producing countries to allow export immediately and to avoid measures that disrupt the supply chains," she added.
EU chief's remark comes hours after US trade representative Ambassador Katherine Tai issued a statement saying the extraordinary circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic required extraordinary measures to respond and that the waiving of intellectual property protections on vaccines was needed to help end the pandemic.
According to the statement, the United States would participate in World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations to support the temporary waiving of protections, and work with the private sector and other partners to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also welcomed the commitment shown by Joe Biden's administration to support the temporary waiver of intellectual property on Covid-19 vaccines. "This is a monumental moment in the fight against Covid-19.
ALSO READ
Inflation fell to 2.2 p in Europe, clearing way for Central Bank's Sept rate cut
Germany and the UK seek a new bilateral treaty as Starmer pursues a 'reset' with the European Union
UK PM Keir Starmer begins post-Brexit ‘reset’ with European Union
Far-right grp from France, Hungary to lead new political force in European Parl
France votes left, right and centre
The commitment by the President of the United States Joe Biden and Ambassador Katherine Tai, the US Trade Representative, to support the waiver of IP protections on vaccines is a powerful example of American leadership to address global health challenges," said Dr Tedros.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
