Portugal calls in Brussels to accelerate vaccine sharing in Africa
The Portuguese government called this Friday in Brussels for an “acceleration of sharing of vaccines” against covid-19, especially on the African continent, saying that it is doing its “part”, having already shared about two million vaccines.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Francisco André, who represents Portugal in the Council of Ministers for Development of the European Union (EU), indicated at the end of the meeting that one of the topics on the agenda was “a state of play on sharing of vaccines”, in which he called for more rapid sharing of immunizers globally.
Francisco André pointed out that “Portugal welcomed the efforts of the ‘Europe team’ [UE e Estados-membros] and called for accelerating vaccine sharing, especially in Africa, as the region with the lowest vaccination rates at the moment.”
“We are doing our part, we have already shared about two million vaccines”, mainly in Portuguese-speaking African Countries and Timor-Leste, “and this number will increase, and increase significantly, during the coming weeks and during the next few months, “he added.
For his part, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, also acknowledged at the end of the Council that contributions to the Covax mechanism are needed to promote equitable access to covid-19 vaccines at predetermined prices and thus guarantee “a global immunization”, also highlighting the need to provide support in particular to the African continent.
“We discussed the issue of the widening and shocking immunization gap between developed and developing countries. In Africa we are still at 6%[of the vaccinated population]while in Europe we are above 70% for an example of the big differences” pointed out Borrell[of the vaccinated population]while in Europe we are above 70% of the big differences”[dapopulaçãovacinada}enquantonaEuropaestamosacimados70%paradarumexemplodasgrandesdiferenças”apontouBorrell[dapopulaçãovacinada}enquantonaEuropaestamosacimados70%paradarumexemplodasgrandesdiferenças”apontouBorrell
Recalling the “promises” made by Europe, the head of diplomacy said that “it is high time” to fulfill them and “accelerate efforts” within the framework of Covax, “especially in Africa”.