Reuters POOL
The British newspaper “The Independent” considered that the European Union is ready to use “all legitimate means” to block the export of the “Pfizer” anti-Corona vaccine to Britain, amid the shortage of supplies.
The newspaper said that it had seen a leaked letter by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in which he said that Brussels is considering “urgent measures” to ensure supplies of the vaccine to the European population.
This comes in the context of the “vaccine war” that was sparked by the British-Swedish company “AstraZeneca” to delay supplies of its vaccine to the European Union due to production problems, while at the same time providing Britain with the necessary quantity of vaccine.
The company explained its decision that the contract with the British government was signed first.
On the other hand, the European Union is looking into the possibility of blocking the supply of the American “Pfizer” vaccine to Britain, of which the United Kingdom has seized 40 million doses.
“This will provide the European Union and its member states with legal means to ensure effective production of the vaccine and the supply to our population,” said Michel’s letter to the leaders of Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Greece.
read more
Michel added that he had submitted this proposal to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Michel confirmed his intention to settle the issue with “AstraZeneca” through “dialogue and negotiation,” but in the event that “no suitable solution is found, I think we must study all options and use all legitimate means available to us under the treaties.”
The “Independent” indicated that the European Union fears the delay in vaccine supplies, as only 2% of the population of the Union has been vaccinated.
AstraZeneca had admitted being late to the supply schedule due to production problems.
Source: “The Independent”
Source link