Foreign
A policy paper approved by the cabinet in Berlin on Wednesday revealed that dealing with the coronavirus crisis would be Germany’s first order of business when it assumes the European Union’s (EU’s) rotational presidency.
The 24-page document sets out the country’s goals for its six-month tenure as Head of the European Council, which commences on July 1, with the theme: “Together. Make Europe strong again”.
Germany will be tasked with chairing ministerial meetings and setting the political agenda. According to the policy paper, the coronavirus pandemic poses a fateful challenge to the EU. Berlin hopes to conquer the biggest challenge of its tenure within the first month.
However, all eyes will be on the EU summit in mid-July as member states try to pass a massive package of economic aid to help pull the bloc out of coronavirus-induced recession.
The European Commission is proposing a 750-billion-euro (or 847-billion-dollar) package, made up of 500 billion euros in grants and 250 billion euros in loans to hard-hit member states.
The commission is planning an EU budget framework for 2021-27 amounting to around 1.1 trillion euros in total.
Meanwhile, before the pandemic, the main focus of Germany’s presidency was expected to be Brexit. While it had been superseded by the coronavirus crisis, it remains high on the agenda.
Negotiations over Britain’s departure must be concluded by autumn at the latest otherwise, both sides would face a painful, unregulated split. Climate change, the digital economy, and Europe’s position between the superpowers of China and the U.S. are also key themes. (dpa/NAN)
– Jun. 24, 2020 @ 16:35 GMT |
Tags: Brexit German EU presidency to focus first on coronavirus
