EU Summit: Concerns over Omicron mutation at 27 table

Under the microscope of its 27 member states leaders The European Union will be found today, Thursday (16/12) the coordination of their actions in the face of its outbreak coronavirus and its rapid spread Omicron mutation, which prompted many countries in the bloc to impose strict rules on entry into their territory.

The threat of a new conflict between Moscow and Kiev will also prevail at this meeting in Brussels, where the the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on Russia, in case of attack on Ukraine. “We are prepared. In case of new military aggression, the cost that Russia will pay will be very high“, Assured yesterday, Wednesday, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

At the forefront of the pandemic, concerns about the spread of the new Omicron strain, which is highly contagious, even in the run-up to the Christmas holidays, will monopolize the first talks between the leaders of the 27 countries. Omicron is likely to dominate Europe by mid-January, according to the Commission. The leaders are expected to stress the importance of further expanding covid-19 vaccination and, above all, booster doses. About 67% of Europeans are fully immunized, but this figure is lower than 50% in three countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia) and in Croatia just over 50% (50.04%), as broadcast by APE-MPE.

His issue compulsory vaccination, which are preparing to impose the Austria and the Germany, will also be discussed, although the decision is ultimately taken by each country individually and not the EU. According to the World Health Organization, Compulsory vaccination should be a “last resort”.

Vaccine and test

Although vaccination remains the “key”, “Not enough” on its own to block the transmission of covid-19 and reduce the burden on countries’ health systems, warned yesterday, Wednesday, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), recommending the immediate reinstatement of measures such as teleworking, mask use, reducing congestion in public transport and public spaces.

When it comes to travel, many countries already require travelers to present negative molecular test to enter their territory, even if they are fully vaccinated against covid-19, something that Greece also decided.

Energy crisis and migration

The discussion will then focus on energy crisis, as energy prices have skyrocketed, although no specific decision is expected. Some countries, such as France and Spain, are calling for reforms in the European electricity market, while most countries are hesitant, considering the crisis to be occasional and judging more effectively the consumer support measures taken by some governments.

Another issue on the agenda of the 27 leaders is immigration, following the recent influx of many migrants to the borders of three European countries bordering Belarus, which Brussels accuses of orchestrating a crisis in retaliation for Western sanctions against it. At the same time, EU countries want to reduce migration flows as a whole. The leaders of the bloc want an action plan to be implemented “without delay” with a number of countries of origin and transit of migrants and call on the Commission to ensure that “the necessary funding will be available”, according to a draft of the summit decisions.

At the dinner, which will be attended by the President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde, the 27 leaders will discuss Europe’s economic situation and the potential impact of Omicron on the region’s economic recovery.

This summit will be the first for German Chancellor Olaf Solz, his Austrian counterpart Carl Nehamer, as well as for the Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson.