President Klaus Iohannis attended the video conference of EU leaders

European countries, facing the violence of the new wave of coronavirus, are strengthening measures to combat the pandemic.

France returns to national isolation.

Germany, Belgium, more and more regions of Spain and Greece are reintroducing or expanding health restrictions.

European Union leaders reviewed priorities at a video conference on Thursday night.

The head of the European Commission said that the transfer of COVID-19 patients from one country to another will be funded in order to reduce the pressure on hospitals. Also, a platform for experts will be created to provide advice to national governments to share best practices, to harmonize scientific recommendations and to avoid the transmission of contradictory messages.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on her counterparts not to close borders so that the economy can function, and President Klaus Iohannis has called for a coordination of efforts in the face of the health crisis and called for more money to diversify the sources of procurement of future vaccines.

Reporter: Oana Bala: "The head of state stressed that the exchange of information and good practices between member countries must be accelerated.

There is also a need for increased coordination in many areas, as well as urgent measures to respond adequately to the second wave of the pandemic.

The President of Romania also referred to the testing for COVID-19 at European level, but also to a future vaccine against coronavirus."

Klaus Iohannis: "There is an absolute need for a unified approach at the level of all countries in the European Union, by agreeing on common criteria and tools for the mutual recognition of test results.

As for the COVID-19 vaccine, once it becomes available - hopefully as soon as possible - it will be delivered to all Member States.

However, there is a need - and I will emphasize this - to increase the funding available under the Emergency Support Instrument in order to increase the supply of vaccines."

The video conference also discussed the need to ensure adequate and sufficient supplies of medicines and medical equipment in all Member States.

Translated by: Radu Matei