EU’s ‘blame games and smears’ over vaccine row slammed THE EU has been slammed for using "blame games, empty threats and a … Von der Leyen's comments on Wednesday came as the Commission is seeking to restore confidence in EU capitals over the management of the bloc's own vaccine strategy, which has moved far more slowly than it had hoped, mainly as a result of unexpected manufacturing shortfalls. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing growing pressure from EU diplomats to resign following her decision to introduce border checks between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in a bid to control the flow of coronavirus vaccines produced in the European Union, the Telegraph reports, citing anonymous sources in Brussels. Speaking at a news conference, von der Leyen flatly denied reports that the Russian vaccine's manufacturer, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), had applied for regulatory approval from the European Medicines Agency. “This is a message to AstraZeneca: You fulfill your part of the deal toward Europe before you start to deliver to other countries,” she said. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on the continent. By logging in, you confirm acceptance of our POLITICO Privacy Policy. Von der Leyen's comments on Wednesday came as the Commission is seeking to restore confidence in EU capitals over the management of the bloc's own vaccine strategy, which has moved far more slowly than it had hoped, mainly as a result of unexpected manufacturing shortfalls. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers in Europe. In describing the process required for EU regulatory approval on Wednesday, von der Leyen also said Russia would have to open its manufacturing sites to European inspectors. The slow rollout has only increased interest in the Russian vaccine, for which Hungary, for instance, has already granted emergency approval. The statement did not provide any details on domestic or international production. Leggi su Sky TG24 l'articolo Turchia, Erdogan lascia von der Leyen senza sedia d'onore: è 'sofagate'. VIDEO Log in to access content and manage your profile. In a statement, the Russian embassy in Brussels said von der Leyen's comments were "either an effort to politicize the issue in an unsubstantiated and, indeed, deplorable way, or indicates an inadequate level of awareness of the top-level official.". Experts estimate that the EU-wide energy renovation needed, mostly in residential buildings, would cost €200bn a year for the next 30 years. FILE - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the end of an EU summit video conference at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Jan. 21, 2021. Log in to access content and manage your profile. Von der Leyen, he suggests, may have been guilty of letting Boris Johnson get under her skin. Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the U.K. What’s driving the day in Paris, en français, The weekly digest of the best stories in U.K. politics, https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/07/biden-envoy-nord-stream-2-479706. They are called: David, 33, Sophie, 31, … The embassy insisted that efforts to supply the Sputnik vaccine to other countries were "in no way linked" to the availability of vaccines for the Russian population. Her father was a very powerful politician, serving as Prime Minister of … On Wednesday, von der Leyen had already said that the EU was prepared to use the mechanisms it had in place to stop exports of vaccines from the bloc destined to countries that were producing their own doses and not exporting them in turn. Latest news, analysis and comment on elections in Europe and beyond. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said drugmaker AstraZeneca could face a ban on exports of coronavirus vaccine doses it produces in the EU if it did not meet its delivery obligations. "So we hope that the EU will evaluate the Russian vaccine on the basis of scientific and humanitarian, rather than political considerations.". Earlier this month, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said the Dutch plant was not sending doses to the U.K. after the implementation of export controls. She told Germany's Funke Media Group in an interview published Saturday that the EU had the "possibility" to ban exports. Latest news, analysis and comment on defense in Europe and beyond. If you do not have a login you can register here. The next day, the Commission announced it was planning to trigger a dispute-resolution process included in the terms of its contract with the company. Latest news, analysis and comment on defense in Europe and beyond. In July 2019 she became the first woman … Explore the live extension of our journalism, The wonk's survival guide to the EU Green Deal, April 19 — Rewriting the Transatlantic Tech Playbook, April 20 — The coming shakeup of the EU Emissions Trading System, May 18 — POLITICO Virtual Interview: In Conversation With Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Why Europe needs bioenergy to reach net zero, Comms crisis: Regulators fail to assuage concerns over Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, Belgium to stop giving Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 56, Brits might not be rebels when it comes to vaccine passports. If you do not have a login you can register here. Von der Leyen out of her depth! 30 March 2021. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on French politics. Turkish President Erdogan HUMILIATES EU chief Ursula von der Leyen ****News Topic 360***** EU-Turkey Relations: Erdogan Left Europe Commission President Speechless After Humiliating Snub. Team. An extensive network of vaccination centers has been set up and is constantly being improved, including employing modern digitalization tools.". EU-Turkey Relations: Erdogan Left Europe Commission … Moscow’s embassy in Brussels accuses Commission president of ‘deplorable’ politicizing of coronavirus vaccine. 29 March 2021. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on German politics. Prof. Dr. Jörg Meuthen hat gestern Ursula von der Leyen im EU-Parlament ordentlich zerpflückt. The EU could approve Russia and China's coronavirus vaccines if their developers "show transparency," von der Leyen said on Tuesday. In its statement, the embassy said Russia was now prepared to make full disclosures. With only two chairs available, Von der Leyen … Von der Leyen takes swipe at UK over ‘transparency’ and says AstraZeneca must ‘catch up’ on vaccines to EU. By logging in, you confirm acceptance of our POLITICO Privacy Policy. She told Germany's Funke Media Group in an interview published Saturday that the EU had the "possibility" to ban exports. But Russian and international news organizations have reported a lack of heavy public demand for the vaccine, with many doses stockpiled in clinics. In der täglichen Arbeit wird Präsidentin von der Leyen von ihrem Team unterstützt. Then she added: “Overall I must say we still wonder why Russia is offering theoretically millions and millions of doses while not sufficiently progressing in vaccinating their own people.". 10 1958 Ixelles/Elsene, Belgien „We must not rebuild economy of yesterday“ Haider's comments follow the EU authorities' attempts to grapple with criticism over the slowdown in vaccination across the 27-nation bloc. * 8. In-depth reporting, data and actionable intelligence for policy professionals – all in one place. Ursula von der Leyen was left without a seat at a summit in Ankara on Tuesday after her two male counterparts took the only available chairs, leaving her to perch on a nearby sofa. Email [email protected] to request a complimentary trial. EU could block exports if firm does not meet delivery obligations, Commission chief says. On Wednesday, the Commission chief made rare public remarks about the Russian vaccine, which several EU countries have said they are considering for potential emergency authorization, and suggested that even Russians don't want the shot. ", The statement continued: "In full compliance with the principles of democracy and humanitarian law, inoculation in Russia is voluntary, and to date, all interested citizens are provided with the vaccine without delay and free of charge. officials said. Meuthen warf ihr vor, sie würde mit ihren EU-Superstaatsphantasien das abschaffen, was diesen Kontinent großgemacht habe: Freiheit und Demokratie. Ursula von der Leyen has seven children Credit: AFP Ursula has seven children, who were born between 1987 and 1999. Latest news, analysis and comment on security in Europe and beyond. Latest news, analysis and comment on migration in Europe and beyond. "Our country is ready to provide any state with full information on the invention of Russian scientists, as well as trial batches of Sputnik V, so that interested partners could conduct a full and independent analysis both of its pharmacological characteristics and of other economic and logistical factors. On the video, von der Leyen can be heard saying “Hmm” or “Ehm,” and was offered a seat on a couch to the side of other two leaders. Latest news, analysis and comment on elections in Europe and beyond. Explore the live extension of our journalism, The wonk's survival guide to the EU Green Deal, April 19 — Rewriting the Transatlantic Tech Playbook, April 20 — The coming shakeup of the EU Emissions Trading System, May 18 — POLITICO Virtual Interview: In Conversation With Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, used by the Kremlin as a geopolitical tool, Comms crisis: Regulators fail to assuage concerns over Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, Belgium to stop giving Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 56, Biden looks to appoint special envoy to kill Russia-Germany energy pipeline, Brits might not be rebels when it comes to vaccine passports. It produced an awkward scene, with von der Leyen … EU diplomats on Thursday said the bloc was set to prepare new sanctions over the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Mrs von der Leyen said the two sides were still "far apart", while Downing Street said "very large gaps remain". Speaking to CNBC last week, von der Leyen said that President Joe Biden and the European Union are "on the same page" when it comes to regulating tech giants. From financial services to trade, technology, cybersecurity and more, Pro delivers real time intelligence, deep insight and breaking scoops you need to keep one step ahead. Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the U.K. What’s driving the day in Paris, en français, The weekly digest of the best stories in U.K. politics, SPONSORED CONTENT FROM World Bioenergy Association. Speaking to journalists, the Commission president also said that AstraZeneca was expected to deliver 30 million doses in the first quarter of the year, down from the expected 40 million — and much lower than the original target of 90 million doses. The company has two coronavirus vaccine production sites in the EU: one in Belgium and one in the Netherlands. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers in Europe. Von der Leyen tried to sound a hopeful longer-term note on EU vaccine supplies, raising the target for the 450m-population bloc for the second quarter of the year from 300m doses to 360m. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a public apology on Wednesday, February 10, for “mistakes” made in triggering Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol in January.“The bottom line is that mistakes were made in the process leading up to the decision,” von der Leyen told MEPs. Video footage shows von der Leyen, the European Commission's first female president, forced to sit on a nearby sofa. The slow rollout has only increased interest in the Russian vaccine, for which Hungary, for instance, has already … Questions have swirled around the Sputnik vaccine since Russian regulators first licensed it for limited use in August without waiting for safety or efficacy data from a phase III clinical trial. Was es noch über die zierliche CDU-Politikerin zu wissen gibt, über ihr Vermögen, ihre Ausbildung und Familie, erfahren Sie in diesem Artikel. But not … Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on French politics. Commission disburses further €13 billion under SURE to six Member States. In its statement on Thursday evening, the Russian Permanent Mission to the EU said it was "perplexed to hear" von der Leyen's assessment "as it is representatives of the Russian authorities, scientific community and business entities, including the Russian Direct Investment Fund, engaged in promoting the vaccine on the global market, have repeatedly publicly stressed that vaccination of its own citizens constitutes an absolute priority for Russia in its fight against COVID-19. A Commission spokesperson said they had no comment on the Russian statement. Latest news, analysis and comment on migration in Europe and beyond. Ihr phrasengefüllter Vortrag zur Lage der EU hätte auch von Grünen oder Linken stammen können. She suggested that this was principally the U.K., as the U.S. was not importing doses, and was allowing for a free flow of vaccine ingredients. In-depth reporting, data and actionable intelligence for policy professionals – all in one place. Ursula von der Leyen refused to sign a plea from more than 20 world leaders calling for a new global treaty on pandemic preparedness, it was claimed today. Ursula von der Leyen ist eine bekannte Frau – dem einen ist sie als „Flinten-Uschi“ im Gedächtnis geblieben, dem anderen als erfolgreiche Karrierefrau, die sieben Kinder großgezogen hat. Want more analysis from POLITICO? It appeared Von der Leyen, the sole attending female leader, was momentarily left without a seat - triggering an avalanche of criticism. To green the building sector, von der Leyen wants to launch a 'European Bauhaus', a co-creation space where architects, artists, students, engineers, and designers can collaborate. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen | Pool photo by John Thys/AFP via Getty Images, Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the EU. Russia on Thursday slapped back at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over public remarks that raised doubts about the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on German politics. In the Saturday interview, von der Leyen remarked that the EU was exporting doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in the EU to the U.K., but was not receiving any doses back from British factories. ", The embassy also took a parting shot at von der Leyen, urging the EU to rise above politics and grant regulatory approval. Aktuelles. Joachim Freiherr von der Leyen (* 28.September 1897 in Haus Meer, Büderich (Meerbusch); † 1945 in Dresden) war ein deutscher Jurist und Verwaltungsbeamter, der in der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus als Landrat in der besetzten Ländern Tschechoslowakei und Polen tätig und als Kreishauptmann des Distrikts Galizien an der Organisation des Holocaust beteiligt war. VIDEO 1:59 01:59. The idea was a brainchild of Ms. von der Leyen and her inner circle, several senior E.U. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said drugmaker AstraZeneca could face a ban on exports of coronavirus vaccine doses it produces in the EU if it did not meet its delivery obligations. 38 talking about this. The vaccine issue is just one element of broader tensions between Moscow and Brussels. She was initially seen as a possible successor to German chancellor Angela Merkel. Speech by President von der Leyen at the High-level meeting on … German MEP Sergey Lagodinsky wrote of von der Leyen's utterance that "'Ehm' is the new term for 'that's not how EU-Turkey relationship should be'." Putin touted the Sputnik vaccine as the world's best | Mikhail Klimentyev/AFP via Getty Images, Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the EU. Russia, in turn, has not consistently inspired confidence in the Sputnik vaccine, for example by refusing to publish the protocol of its initial clinical trial. Latest news, analysis and comment on security in Europe and beyond. Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian-born German politician who was the first woman to serve as Germany’s minister of defense (2013–19). Von der Leyen -- Germany's former defense minister -- is not your typical Eurocrat. "We presume that production and distribution of vaccines should be beyond politics," it said. POLITICO Pro is our premium intelligence service for professionals. Russian President Vladimir Putin, considered high risk at age 68, also has not been vaccinated, or at least has not acknowledged receiving it. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on the continent. But Mamer said von der Leyen decided against making “an issue out of it,” and she didn’t mention the diplomatic gaffe in the post-meeting press conference. “The UK is a tiny, tiny vaccine producer and will always be that. Dutch prime minister hints at deal by Saturday to end vaccine exports row. RDIF has insisted Sputnik V is as good as Western-made vaccines, and that it is pushing for EU approval, while critics say it is being used by the Kremlin as a geopolitical tool and shouldn't be trusted. A peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet medical journal earlier this month found the Sputnik vaccine to be safe and more than 91 percent effective.