The European Commission announced on Apr. 22 that it would be providing eight countries in Eastern Europe, one in North Africa and one in Eurasia with macro-financial assistance (MFA) of up to €3.25 billion euros. This comes after the European Union committed to funding emergency medical equipment this March, although the aid is yet to be approved. If approved, funding will deploy around the fourth quarter of 2020 or first quarter of 2021.
Ukraine is estimated to receive the most, at €1.2 billion and Tunisia and Jordan the least at €600 million and €200 million respectively. The MFA, an aid provided under the European Neighbourhood Policy to EU-adjacent countries experiencing severe financial trouble, has been well-received by recipient counties, including President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. Ukraine is a particularly interesting target of EU aid: the country has been a point of contention between Russia and the West, since before the ‘little green men’ in 2014, mostly due to the EU receiving most of its natural gas from Russia through Ukraine.
The EU has provided aid to Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia -- states that have been candidates for accession to the EU since 2014, 2011, and 2005 respectively. However, no discussions have occurred with Turkey, which has held candidate status since 1999. The EU Commissioner for Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, claimed that “European solidarity must not stop at the borders of our Union [the EU].” If true, this raises the question of why Turkey and the EU have not discussed mutual assistance, while the other potential members and countries outside the EU were given help during this time of ‘European solidarity’.
The EU is also planning a discussion around an Emergency Relief Fund, with meetings scheduled for Apr. 30. Billions from the fund may be given to tackle the 7.1 percent decline in the Union's economy; however, arguments between the wealthy North and its fellow Southern states are stalling the agreement, worth €540 billion, as the 27 member nations consider including the fund in the 2021-2027 EU budget.
While the world seeks to recover from this global pandemic, member states must consider the extent of their contribution to the EU fund, the EU’s aid to neighbouring states, and funds for their own country to battle the health crisis.
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