Summit cut health & research, despite second-wave fear

The commission on Wednesday (22 July) referred to the sum agreed at the summit as "a good starting point" - while regretting the cuts.

"We regret that our very ambitious proposal was not followed entirely, but we are we are happy that the European Council recognises the need for a new programme for health," said spokesperson Eric Mamer.

"We had nothing prior to this European Council. It is better to start, even if you start small, than not start at all," he added.

However, the EU4Health cuts directly contradict a recent resolution of the European Parliament, which calls for a stronger role of the EU in the area of health.

MEPs urged common minimum standards for quality healthcare, to identify the weaknesses of member states' health systems, and verify that they are prepared for a likely resurgence of Covid-19.

More research, fewer resources

Moreover, lawmakers pointed out the need to strengthen the two key European health agencies the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency, as well as joint health-research.

However, the EU's research and innovation framework, specifically the Horizon Europe, also suffered major cuts on Tuesday - receiving €81bn instead of €100bn.

This would mean that - for the first time ever - there is no increase to the core research and innovation budget of the EU.

According to Thomas Pellerin-Carlin from the Jacques Delors Institute, "the selfishness of some politicians has blinded them to the best way for the EU to invest in a better future".

Additionally, the European Research Council described the situation as a paradox - while more is expected from European researches, they are offered fewer resources.

"We cannot imagine that Europe's leaders can agree to this, while at the same time relying on the dedication and skills of Europe's researchers to fight the ongoing global pandemic, and be ready to address unexpected future challenges," ERC scientific council said in a statement.

"Each year, a significant number of truly excellent proposals cannot be funded, harming the potential of Europe to be a leading region in terms of transformation and innovation," it added.

WHO worries on south Europe, Balkans

Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization's emergencies programme, Mike Ryan, said on Wednesday that there are worrying infections trends in Europe.

"While certainly in western Europe the disease has come under control, we still have some worrying trends in southern Europe and the Balkans, so we're not out of the woods just yet in the European environment," he said, adding that this will require "sustained vigilance".

According to the latest data released by ECDC, Sweden, Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain and Croatia have some of the highest rates of new Covid-19 infections in the European Union with an average of 20 to 40 cases per 100,000 population.

Luxembourg has the highest rate with an average of 182.8 cases per 100,000 population reported during the previous 14 days.