Greece has pledged €3 million to the European Commission-led coronavirus vaccine research fund.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined other global leaders on Monday, to launch the Coronavirus Global Response, which aims to help researchers and innovators develop solutions to test, treat, and protect people, and to prevent further spread of the virus.
The teleconference was chaired by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"I am delighted to open and welcome you to the Coronavirus Global Response pledging event. I believe 4 May 2020 will mark a turning point in our fight against the coronavirus. Because today, the world is coming together – governments from every continent will join hands and team up with global health organisations and other experienced partners. The partners are many, the goal is one: to defeat this virus," she stated in her opening remarks.
With the initiative, the European Commission intends to raise €7.5 billion to "accelerate the development, production and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics."
On his part, Mitsotakis started off by saying "Today is an important day for Greece. We are gradually starting to relax the very restrictive measures we have taken over the past seven weeks. We have been relatively successful in "levelling" the curve, but we all know that unless we discover a vaccine, we will not be completely safe."
"For our part, I gladly offer 3 million euros to our joint effort, beyond the Greek institutions and private foundations that have already made significant gifts in the fight against Covid-19 and will also actively contribute to this global call," he added.
The PM stressed that the vaccine should be a "global public good" ensuring that all countries have equal access to the fight against the pandemic.
The meeting was attended by the leaders of Britain, Canada, Israel, Italy, and Turkey, as well as by Melinda Gates on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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