Coronavirus: The European Union stands by its Eastern partners

The European Commission stands by Eastern Partner countries and has reallocated €140 million for the most immediate needs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, as part of the global response to the coronavirus outbreak. In addition, the Commission will also redirect the use of existing instruments worth up to €700 million to help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, said: “These are very difficult times not only for the EU, but for our partner countries as well. We are doing all we can to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on human lives and livelihoods. We are responding both to the immediate needs of the health systems, as well as a longer term needs to the most vulnerable groups in society and small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the economies in the six countries”. These funds will support the supply of medical devicesand personal equipment, such as ventilators, laboratory kits, masks, goggles, gowns, and safety suits. They will also train laboratory staff and reinforce credit lines and liquidity to SMEs. A press release and a factsheet are available online.