NEWSROOM

Coronavirus cases continue to increase around the world. European countries, drawing attention with the increase in cases, continue their struggle with strict measures such as quarantine and state of emergency decisions. Finally, the European Union reached an agreement with the member countries on the fair distribution of vaccines to be developed against the coronavirus.

*** This release is originally published in Turkish.
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ISTANBUL (TR) - The coronavirus, which the whole world has been struggling since the first months of 2020, has been continuing its impact with the increasing number of cases recently. According to current data, the total number of cases worldwide exceeded 46 million, while the number of cases in Europe, which constitutes 10 percent of the world population, reached 10 million 108 thousand 104. Europe, where there are 22 percent of cases worldwide, thus became the third region after Latin America and Asia to exceed the 10 million case limit. While the course of the pandemic was getting worse, many countries in Europe started to increase the measures again. The decision on vaccination studies, which millions of people are hoping for, came from the European Union Leaders Summit, where the Covid-19 agenda was discussed. EU countries have agreed to distribute the vaccine among member countries at the same time and under the same condition.

The coronavirus, which the world has been struggling with since the first months of 2020, continues its impact with the recently growing number of cases. According to current data, the total number of cases worldwide exceeded 46 million, while the number of cases in Europe, which accounts for 10 percent of the world's population, reached 10 million 108 thousand 104. 22 percent of worldwide cases are found in Europe, thus it became the third region to exceed the 10 million case limit, after Latin America and Asia. As the course of the pandemic worsened, many countries in Europe began to increase measures again. The decision on vaccine work, which millions of people are hoping for, came out of the European Union leaders' summit, where the Covid-19 agenda was discussed. EU countries have agreed to distribute the vaccine between member states at the same time and under the same condition.

Stating that the vaccine is as important as being available, it is also important to distribute it fairly. Dr. Ayşegül Akbay said, “It is thought that everyone will be vaccinated in a short time with the vaccine. However, as we have experienced a lot in Ebola, the distribution of the vaccine can be distributed in the result of the correct construction of a series of economic and political processes. The path followed by the European Union in combating the pandemic includes a fair solidarity without interfering with the internal affairs of the countries. In this sense, we can say that it is a very appropriate decision. In Turkey, we also need this kind of cooperation with the EU."

“The EU scores well in the pandemic process”

Reminding the statement made by the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, after the EU Leaders Summit, that when vaccines are ready, it was agreed to guarantee fair distribution among member countries and within this scope, member countries will receive vaccines according to their share in the EU population. Dr. Ayşegül Akbay said, “The EU continues to take an active role in scientific cooperation within the scope of vaccination studies as well as equipment supply and economic funds. In addition to the decisions taken within this framework, it started to offer antigen tests, which play an important role in combating the pandemic, to the market, and allocated 100 million euros for the purchase of rapid test kits and distribution to member countries. The only requirement is to use the EU approach for mutual recognition of tests and test results. At this point, it is possible to say that the EU has adopted a successful strategy with the opportunities and supports it provides to its member countries in both medical and financial terms and has received good points from the pandemic process.”

“Turkey should take steps towards EU membership”

According to Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Akbay the main result that Turkey should draw from coronavirus is that cooperation in the context of health, economy and process management should be increased,  she said, “We must re-dimension our country's full membership process at a standstill and never stop being a member of the European Union. Today, if Turkey had been among the member states of the European Union, it would not only have received its share of these economic advantages, it would have increased its share in vaccine studies, and it would have been able to take a more active role in the international fight against the pandemic. Turkey must step back for EU membership before it is too late.”