In the discussion, Minister Logar pointed out that the pandemic crisis connected people and at the same time manifested the critical nature of communication between the countries in coordinating the measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 disease and seeking solutions for overcoming the crisis. It has also shown that the EU can be united at decisive moments, which was evidenced by their leaders reaching the agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Recovery Fund. According to the Minister, the next steps are crucial to avoid another lockdown of the economy since such measures that were introduced a few months ago can no longer be afforded. In the coming months, the economy will be key, but the political stability of countries will also be important in order to find the best solutions for our citizens, concluded Minister Logar.

There was a consensus among the participants that the pandemic crisis demonstrated clearly that the EU – now more than ever – needs a clear concept of efficient crisis management.

Alongside FM Logar, the panellists were Commission Vice-President chairing the Commissioners’ Group on a Stronger Europe in the World and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Croatian FM Gordan Grlić Radman, Slovakian FM Ivan Korčok, Czech FM Tomáš Petříček, Polish FM Zbigniew Rau and Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó, while German Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Michelle Müntefering joined them via video connection.