Statement of the members of the European Council on COVID-19 and health, 25 February 2021

• We are determined to continue to work together and coordinate our action to tackle the pandemic and its consequences.
• We must therefore uphold tight restrictions while stepping up efforts to accelerate the provision of vaccines.
• The unhindered flow of goods and services within the Single Market must be ensured, including by making use of Green Lanes.
• Even so, we need to urgently accelerate the authorisation, production and distribution of vaccines, as well as vaccination.
• We call for work to continue on a common approach to vaccination certificates and will come back to this issue.
• We reaffirm our solidarity with third countries and underline our determination to step up our global response to the pandemic.
• We will continue to keep the overall situation under close review and take action as needed.

II. HEALTH

• Although the COVID-19 crisis is not yet over, it is time to start strengthening our future health resilience now.
• We will work to improve EU coordination, in line with the Union competences under the Treaties, to ensure better prevention, preparedness for and response to future health emergencies.
• Work on the Health Union proposals and on the Pharmaceutical Strategy, including as regards access to medicines across Member States, should also be taken forward.
• We are committed to advancing global health security, including by strengthening the World Health Organization and working towards an international treaty on pandemics within its framework.
• In this context, we look forward to the G20 Global Health Summit in Rome.