Stockholm, May 25(ChinaEuropeNet)– On its second meeting day, Tuesday 25 May, the special European Council urged Member States to implement the EU Digital COVID Certificate rapidly. The EU leaders also discussed climate change and provided the European Commission with additional guidance for the preparation of its proposals on effort sharing.
The leaders welcome the accelerated pace of vaccinations and the introduction of the EU Digital COVID Certificate. The European Council urges all Member States to implement the digital certificate during the summer. Finland will implement its national COVID-19 vaccination certificate tomorrow and it will be compatible with the EU system.
“The digital certificate will facilitate health-secure travel across borders. At the same time, it is important that Member States may maintain restrictions if the health security situation so requires. We need to stay vigilant regarding the emergence and spread of variants and to take decisive action as necessary,” says Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
The European Council reminds that the impact of the pandemic will only be contained through a comprehensive global response and calls for work to be stepped up to ensure global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The European Union is the largest exporter of COVID-19 vaccines to the world.
In line with its December conclusions, the European Council provided additional guidance to the Commission for its work on the 2030 climate legislation. Finland considers it important for the EU to achieve its strict emissions targets for 2030 and 2050. Finland also considers it important that all EU countries participate in a fair manner. The European Council reaffirms its conclusions of December 2020 and invites the Commission to swiftly put forward its legislative package together with an in-depth impact assessment.
“The Commission has an important duty to come up with balanced legislative proposals that enable us to reach the EU’s new 2030 target with joint action. The proposals should give greater attention to cost-effectiveness and it must be possible for all Member States to start on the path towards emissions reductions as required by the climate neutrality target,” says Prime Minister Marin