Covid-19: European Commission to Finance Vaccines Production Unit in Morocco

The European Commission has expressed its willingness to take part in financing a unit for the production of vaccines dedicated to Africa in Morocco, given its important position within the African continent.

Today, Thursday February, 18th, a European Commission spokesperson, in response to a question about the role that Morocco can play, affirmed that “in the event that pharmaceutical companies make a clear and structured proposal, all the conditions related to a satisfactory production chain in Morocco will be met – including technical, regulatory, and licensing conditions – the European Commission can participate in financing a unit for the production of vaccines in the Kingdom.”

The spokesperson also considered that “it is important for Africa to have an autonomous capacity to produce vaccines,” adding that “this structure is necessary after the Coronavirus pandemic,” noting that the European Union and the African Union are having discussions regarding this issue.

In a statement to the MAP, the spokesperson said that “financing mechanisms available to the Commission, especially the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus, are appropriate to support partnerships between the public and private sectors in general, and in this area in particular.”

On the other hand, he mentioned that the European Commission has allocated 456 million euros in bilateral aid, in order to respond to the immediate health and socio-economic needs in Morocco, as part of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.