Corona in the EU
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Peter Liese: in times of crisis different rules must apply / closing of borders justified / important to take care that necessary goods and people who work in crucial areas can still travel / implementation of medical device Regulation should be stopped immediately / big concern about the situation in the UK / Johnson is not taking the issue serious / transition period for the Brexit should immediately be extended
“In times of the corona crisis, different rules must apply. Many the rules that we approved for normal times are of course no longer justified in these difficult times. I very much support that the Commission took this approach when presenting a package of measures today. As an MEP of course I do not like border controls, but health is most important. That is why I think the measures of member states are acceptable. However, member states and the Commission need to take care that crucial goods like pharmaceuticals, medical devices and food can still pass the borders as well as people that work in important areas”, this is the reaction of the spokesperson for health of the biggest political group, Dr. Peter Liese on the COVID-19 guidelines that have been presented by the Commission this morning.
Liese insisted that the implementation of the new medical device Regulation needs to be stopped in some important points. “It is important that medical devices for example ventilation machines are properly working, but some of the measures that have been adopted with the new medical device regulation are over-bureaucratic anyhow. That is why we need to have a flexible implementation now”, says Liese.
European Parliament sets up Special Committee on Cancer
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Fight against cancer becomes top priority for the EU
"The European Parliament will establish a special committee on cancer. This makes the fight against cancer a top priority for the whole European Union", said MEP Peter Liese, health spokesperson of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP).
The group chairs had already agreed to set up a special committee at the initiative of the EPP Group last week. Formal adoption by the plenary and the official establishment of the committee is due in the coming weeks. "The establishment of a special committee on cancer is a strong signal that we want to join forces in the fight against cancer to help patients". On 4 February 2020, International World Cancer Day, the European Commission will officially launch the consultation on Europe´s Beating Cancer Plan to be presented by the end of this year. The European Parliament´s Special Committee will make contribution to the plan and assist in monitoring its implementation.
Read more: European Parliament sets up Special Committee on Cancer
Solidarity, cooperation and exchange
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EPP group adopts resolution on Coronavirus outbreak / Support for more staff and more competences of the ECDC / Best possible cooperation to develop therapy and vaccine
The biggest political group in the European Parliament (EPP – Christian Democrats) urgently demands more cooperation in the fight against the Coronavirus crisis. "The virus does not respect borders, that is why our response should be much more European", MEP Peter Liese, EPP health spokesperson said. The group agreed on a resolution, even though the Parliament is not having any vote this week, because many members, especially from Italy and members that are at risk to have severe consequences in case of an infection cannot be present in Brussels. "We want to send a clear signal to the public, but also to our friends in the European Commission and in the member states", Liese said. The EPP group expresses its solidarity to all patients and relatives of people that have died and acknowledges respect to the medical staff that does its best to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic.
Green deal can bring additional jobs and growth
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Commission works on emissions trading for transport and buildings despite Green and Socialist opposition
"The Green Deal, if properly implemented, can provide additional jobs and growth to Europe," MEP Peter Liese, EPP spokesperson for environment. "We are currently spending around one billion euros a day on imports of oil, gas and coal. If we invest this money in efficiency and new technologies within the European Union, it will benefit all of us and of course help the climate. Ursula von der Leyen has found the right framework to combine ambitious climate protection goals with jobs and growth. Also in March, just like the presentation of the climate protection law, an industrial strategy will be presented, which will describe in more detail how we will enable our energy-intensive industry to produce climate neutrally.”