The European Union has requested the United States and the United Kingdom to export coronavirus vaccines

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Reuters / Christian Hartmann Stock photos

President of France, Emmanuel MacronThis Saturday asked that The United States and the United Kingdom are issuing coronavirus vaccines and are helping to boost global production to facilitate an increase in vaccinations worldwide.

The potential lifting of patents on vaccines is a “false debate”, because “the urgent need is to produce more and more solidarity now” with poor countriesMacron said in statements upon his arrival at the European Union Social Summit held in Porto (Portugal).

The president mentioned that The European Union has exported nearly half of the vaccines produced on its territory, while the United States and the United Kingdom retained “100% of the vaccines they produced”.

“It is essential that the Anglo-Saxons End the export ban“From vaccinations, he stressed.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the media upon his arrival at the European Union summit at Crystal Palace in Porto, Portugal, on May 8, 2021. Francisco Seco / Pool via Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the media upon his arrival at the European Union summit at Crystal Palace in Porto, Portugal, on May 8, 2021. Francisco Seco / Pool via Reuters

Another “major” step he added is increase production, Via Adapting pharmaceutical factories and transferring technology. Macron argues that it is pointless to raise patents if many countries, for example in Africa, do not have the technical capabilities and specialists to produce them.

The French President added that the third component is Increased donation of doses and, finally, talk of a possible patent filing, But in a “restricted” manner, only when these rights are “obstructive”.

He gave as an example the international framework established to boost production and distribution of AIDS treatments in poor countries.

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Like Macron, president of the European Council, Charles MichelThis Saturday confirmed that Liberating patents on coronavirus vaccines is not a “magic bullet” to increase production in the short term, and urge other countries and regions to allow exports.

European Council President Charles Michel speaks to the press upon his arrival at Crystal Palace to attend an informal meeting within the framework of the European Social Summit in Porto, Portugal, on May 8, 2021. Reuters / Violetta Santos Moura / Gathering
European Council President Charles Michel speaks to the press upon his arrival at Crystal Palace to attend an informal meeting within the framework of the European Social Summit in Porto, Portugal, on May 8, 2021. Reuters / Violetta Santos Moura / Gathering

We don’t think it’s a panacea in the short termBut we are ready to get involved in this as soon as a concrete proposal has been put on the table. We all agree that we will need to do everything in our power to increase vaccine production worldwide, ”said Michel upon arriving on the second day of the European Summit held in Porto.

The issue of patenting the COVID-19 vaccines, which is now supported by the United States, was discussed during a working dinner held by European Union leaders in the Portuguese city.

In the face of the United States, which has barely exported the vaccines produced on its soil, Michel stressed this The European Union is “the only democracy to export huge doses of vaccines”.

File image.  An illustration of the major COVID-19 vaccines being used around the world.  May 2, 2021. (Reuters) / Dado Rovich
File image. An illustration of the major COVID-19 vaccines being used around the world. May 2, 2021. (Reuters) / Dado Rovich

We believe we must encourage all of our partners to do so Facilitate exports so that there are the largest possible number of doses That can be mobilized all over the world, “he said.

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He added that they do it in the community club Progress in application production and distributionRegarding the vaccination certificate prepared by the European Union, he said that it will be discussed at the May 25 summit “to ensure that we can encourage all efforts to reach a common agreement on this important issue.”

On the other hand, call Staying “vigilant” in the face of the variants of the Coronavirus.

(With information from EFE)

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