Break coronavirus transmission chains to keep society open: PM

Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Friday emphasised the importance of breaking the transmission chains of coronavirus to prevent the wide-ranging closure of the society.

“The COVID-19 crisis struck without warning, but it was still surprising to see how quickly the internal market ceased to function. Now, it is essential to break the transmission chains so that we can prevent the wide-ranging closure of societies,” the prime minister told the two-day European Council meeting that wrapped up on Friday.

The meeting stressed the need to return to a normal and even better functioning single market in the EU as soon as possible, said the government in a press release.

This is essential for the recovery of the economy and for the EU to achieve its objectives as a sustainable and competitive market. Strategic autonomy and an open economy are parallel objectives.

In the European Council’s view, it is essential to adhere to the existing single market rules and to remove unjustified barriers, particularly in the service sector.

The European competition framework will be updated to ensure that it meets the challenges of the green transition, the digital transformation, and the evolving global context, while also providing clear rules and supporting innovation.

The EU is working towards an ambitious and balanced free trade agenda with the WTO at its core. It is also important to invest in education with a view to strengthening employment and wellbeing.

The Council also concluded that the EU must pursue an ambitious European industrial policy to make its industry more sustainable, more green, and more competitive globally and more resilient.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin also represented Sweden in the meeting on a request from Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, as the latter is unable to attend the meeting.