The EU institution calls for "a European solution to facilitate free testing, as a way of restoring the fundamental right of EU citizens to freedom of movement"

European Parliament proposes to finance COVID-19 certificate tests with European funds

photo_camera El Parlamento Europeo propone financiar pruebas para el certificado de COVID-19 con fondos europeos

European Parliament (EP) negotiators want to use the Emergency Support Instrument to fund the COVID-19 tests needed to obtain the certificate that the main European Union (EU) institutions are trying to agree on for entry into force before the summer.

This is one of the proposals put on the table by Parliament's negotiators during the third round of negotiations on the proposed EU COVID-19 certificate regulation, which ended Tuesday evening without agreement, the EP said in a statement.

The European Parliament calls for "a European solution to facilitate free testing as a way to restore the fundamental right of EU citizens to freedom of movement, avoid discrimination and offer an alternative to those who have not been vaccinated," it said in a statement.

The proposal for the "digital green certificate" was presented by the European Commission on 17 March, following interest shown in particular by several member states most dependent on tourism, and now the Parliament and the Council (the countries) are the two institutions that must negotiate its format and characteristics.

The document would contain information on whether the carrier has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, has generated antibodies after passing the disease or has a recent negative PCR, the latter being one of the criteria that many countries have required of travellers in recent months.

El Parlamento Europeo propone financiar pruebas para el certificado de COVID-19 con fondos europeos

To avoid "discrimination", the European Parliament proposes using the Emergency Support Instrument and allocating a "substantial" amount of money to ensure "accessible, timely and free" testing.

The EP negotiators, led by Spanish Socialist Juan Fernando López Aguilar, maintain that this would not be the first time the Emergency Support Instrument has been used in the context of the pandemic.

They recall that EUR 3.5 billion - of which Member States contributed EUR 750 million - was used for the purchase of vaccines in advance purchase agreements and EUR 46 million was allocated for the preparatory work for the COVID-19 certificate.

Given that the launch of the COVID-19 Certificate is "urgent", the European Parliament also suggests applying the urgency procedure to confirm the use of the Emergency Support Instrument alongside the COVID-19 Certificate regulations during the June plenary sessions.

The Emergency Instrument is a body that allows for direct support to EU Member States in their efforts to address the pandemic, as well as coordinated management of needs related to the exit and recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. 

Negotiations between the co-legislators will continue tomorrow, Thursday, with the aim of concluding an agreement in time for the summer season, the note concluded. 

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