Italy has blocked the export of some doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia (“not vulnerable country”) on the basis of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/111

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/111 of 29 January 2021 making the exportation of certain products subject to the production of an export authorisation CELEX32021R0111ENTXT “Despite the fact that financial support has been given to increase production, certain vaccine manufacturers have already announced that they would not be in a position to supply the quantities of […]

ECB takes steps to mitigate impact of possible rating downgrades on collateral availability

ECB to grandfather until September 2021 eligibility of marketable assets used as collateral in Eurosystem credit operations falling below current minimum credit quality requirements Appropriate haircuts will apply for assets that fall below the Eurosystem minimum credit quality requirements Decision reinforces broader package of collateral easing measures adopted by the Governing Council on 7 April […]

UN Adopts Resolution Urging Global Cooperation on COVID-19

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution Thursday recognizing “the unprecedented effects” of the coronavirus pandemic and calling for “intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat” the COVID-19 disease. The assembly did not approve a resolution sponsored by Russia calling for U.N. solidarity in the face of the challenges posed […]

Newly declared states of emergency must include a time limit and parliamentary oversight, OSCE human rights head says

https://www.osce.org/odihr/449311 WARSAW, 30 March 2020 – Emergency legislation being adopted by governments across the OSCE region must include a time limit and guarantee parliamentary oversight, said the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) ahead of a vote in Hungary to extend emergency measures earlier adopted in the EU member […]

Corona and Schengen borders control

14 Schengen countries have notified the European Commission of the reintroduction of border controls due to threats related to the spread of COVID-19: Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Finland, Switzerland and Norway. A number of other Schengen countries have introduced restrictions on movement of persons that affect internal borders, […]

The Defense Production Act (DPA) and COVID-19

The United States faces drug and medical supply scarcities due to disrupted supply chains and increased demand. In response, the President may exercise emergency authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to address supply shortages and economic development impacts. During a press conference on March 18, 2020, the President indicated that he would invoke […]

Guidance to the Member States concerning foreign direct investment and free movement of capital from third countries, and the protection of Europe’s strategic assets, ahead of the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/452 (FDI Screening Regulation)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION Guidance to the Member States concerning foreign direct investment and free movement of capital from third countries, and the protection of Europe’s strategic assets, ahead of the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/452 (FDI Screening Regulation) Communication Coronavirus Regulation 2019/452 ita

COVID-19: Commission creates first ever rescEU stockpile of medical equipment

Today, the European Commission has decided to create a strategic rescEU stockpile of medical equipment such as ventilators and protective masks to help EU countries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Ursula von der Leyen said: “With the first ever common European reserve of emergency medical equipment we put EU solidarity into action. […]

Germany repeals restrictions on foreign trade in certain goods

https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Downloads/B/bundesanzeiger-aufhebung-beschraenkungen.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=4 bundesanzeiger-aufhebung-beschraenkungen I hereby arrange in agreement with the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Finance on the basis of Section 6 subsection 1 sentence 1 in conjunction with Section 4 subsection 1 number 5 of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG) in conjunction with Section 49 subsection 1 of the Administrative […]

The European Court of Human Rights has announced a series of exceptional measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

ECHR is taking exceptional measures The court will maintain its essential activities, especially its handling of priority cases. It will also consider urgent requests for interim measures when there is an imminent risk of irreversible harm. The six-month deadline for lodging applications and all time limits relating to pending cases have been extended by one […]

Commission sends to Member States draft proposal for a State aid Temporary Framework to support the economy in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak

Commission sends to Member States draft proposal for a State aid Temporary Framework to support the economy in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak Last night, the European Commission has sent to Member States for consultation a draft proposal for a State aid Temporary Framework to support the economy in the context of the COVID-19 […]

Commission moves to ensure supply of personal protective equipment in the European Union

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_469 COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/402 of 14 March 2020 making the exportation of certain products subject to the production of an export authorisation OJL2020077IFULLENTXT Personal Protective Equipment covers equipment such as masks, protective spectacles and visors, face shields, mouth-nose protection and protective garments. There are vital needs for protective equipment within the Union with […]

COVID-19: Commission sets out European coordinated response to counter the economic impact of the Coronavirus*

State aid Framework Flexibility The main fiscal response to the Coronavirus will come from Member States’ national budgets. EU State aid rules enable Member States to take swift and effective action to support citizens and companies, in particular SMEs, facing economic difficulties due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Member States can design ample support measures in […]

Nota del Presidente della Repubblica Sergio Mattarella

Nota del Presidente della Repubblica Sergio Mattarella L’Italia sta attraversando una condizione difficile e la sua esperienza di contrasto alla diffusione del coronavirus sarà probabilmente utile per tutti i Paesi dell’Unione Europea. Si attende quindi, a buon diritto, quanto meno nel comune interesse, iniziative di solidarietà e non mosse che possono ostacolarne l’azione. https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/46573

Is German ban export of medical protection gear due to coronavirus compatible with EU Law ?

https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-germany-exports/germany-bans-export-of-medical-protection-gear-due-to-coronavirus-idUSL8N2AX3D9 BERLIN, March 4 (Reuters) – Germany has banned the export of medical protection gear to avoid supply shortages of masks, gloves and suits as doctors and authorities are racing to contain the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus, officials said on Wednesday. Is two restriction compatible with EU Law ? https://www.lastampa.it/esteri/2020/03/13/news/l-ue-minaccia-la-germania-sull-export-delle-mascherine-procedura-d-infrazione-se-non-rimuove-il-blocco-1.38587861 https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2020/03/13/news/coronavirus_la_germania_invia_un_milione_di_mascherine_all_italia-251219227/?ref=RHPPTP-BH-I250726198-C12-P2-S6.4-T1