‘Until a year ago, no one believed that vaccines would not only be developed this year, but that vaccination would be started. Certainly, given the pace of vaccination in Britain and Israel, it is difficult to explain to people why we cannot move forward just as fast. Thus, we expect more transparency and planning from the EU’s common vaccination strategy, as this would facilitate the process. At the same time, we are grateful to the European Commission for considering the requirements and needs of national governments,’ stressed Prime Minister Šimonytė.
The Prime Minister has also underlined that the most appropriate time to decide on a joint vaccination certificate will be when the vast majority of the population in the EU is vaccinated.
The meeting was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Manfred Weber, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Presidents of Cyprus and Romania, Prime Ministers of Slovenia, Latvia, and Hungary, Deputy Prime Ministers of Belgium and Ireland, and Chancellor of Austria.
Prime Minister Šimonytė has taken part in the meeting at the invitation of EPP President Donald Tusk.
