Press release by Presidents Michel and von der Leyen after the G7 Leaders’ videoconference on COVID-19

Today, Thursday 16 April 2020, the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen participated in a G7 Leaders’ videoconference called by the United States that currently holds the G7 Presidency.

The Group assessed the joint progress made in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and its immediate consequences since their last videoconference on March 16, 2020. The Presidents provided an update on the continuing EU action to this effect.

They also referred to the ongoing efforts at EU level to help Europe’s societies and economies get back to a normal functioning and to sustainable growth. The green transition and the digital transformation will be important elements of the EU’s roadmap for recovery.

The Presidents stressed that the G7 will have to lead the global efforts to build the post-“COVID-19 crisis” world, in strong cooperation with the existing international organisations and with multilateralism at the core of our action.

They underlined that the EU will continue to act in solidarity with the most vulnerable countries and communities, notably in Africa. They called upon all G7 partners to join these efforts.

In this context, the EU announced that it will host an international online pledging event to enhance global preparedness and ensure adequate funding to develop and deploy a vaccine against COVID-19.

The online pledging event will take place on 4 May 2020.

Finally, President Michel and President von der Leyen highlighted the importance of trade in both overcoming the immediate crisis and ensuring a robust economic recovery.