German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders have called in an open letter, published in the Saturday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and other media, for the establishment of a funding program for the search for a vaccine and medication to treat the new coronavirus.
Their call comes on the occasion of the holding on Monday of a virtual world conference promised by the European Commission with an initial objective of fundraising of 7.5 billion euros (8.2 billion dollars) for research on diagnosis, treatment and vaccines.
“The funds we are mobilizing will lead to unprecedented worldwide cooperation between scientists and regulators, industry and governments, international organizations, foundations and healthcare representatives.“, can we read.
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Other signatories include French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, EU President Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
The conference aims to pool global resources to develop vaccines and drugs and tests to fight the virus. When drugs and tests are found, they should be made available worldwide at affordable prices.
The 7.5 billion euros will mainly be allocated to recognized global health organizations.
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