Bearing this in mind, I would like to make four remarks:

First, our answer to the global virus must be the strengthening of multilateralism, the strengthening of international organisations, of their cooperation and their support. Global challenges need common solutions. They cannot be addressed by new walls, nationalism or protectionism. Neither the virus nor economic recession know borders. Therefore, we need strong and coordinated action at all levels. We need a global early warning system and global crisis mechanism against pandemics. All organisations of the United Nations family are crucial parts of the solution. Their funding, integrity and credibility are key. Concerning the World Health Organisation, there should be a joint report by the UN member organisations. We need an evaluation of all actions, strengths, weaknesses.

Second, international politics is not a zero-sum game. Already Aristoteles knew: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” We are all sitting in one boat. Our neighbour’s weaknesses are our own weaknesses. That’s why we need global solidarity. Investing in those in need, makes us all stronger. I welcome that the IMF provides immediate debt relief to 25 countries; that the World Bank will deploy over 160 billion Dollars over the next months; that the EU has allocated 20 billion Euros for third countries and will organise an online pledging event on the 4th of May; and that countries join the WTO Pharmaceutical Tariff Elimination Agreement. But this can only be a start. We will need much more!

Third, we must always ensure human rights, the rule of law and parliamentary democracy. For an effective crisis response, there is no justification to weaken parliaments. The ends do not justify the means. Also, this crisis shall not be used as an excuse to postpone the fight against other global challenges, such as climate change or hunger – since 2016 the number of starving people has risen against all forecasts.

Fourth, I can assure you: European democracy is fully functional. So far, the European Parliament has held two virtual plenary sessions. We have adopted 13 legislative initiatives and one resolution with over 70 concrete recommendations for crisis and recovery management. As a result of the action at European and national level, the EU’s collective response is over 3.400 billion euros. An additional recovery programme will follow.