Court declares that EU Commission covered specifics from people regarding Covid-19 vaccine agreements
Date
7/18/2024 4:48:47 AM
(MENAFN) The General Court of the European Union has ruled against the European Commission, stating that it failed to provide adequate transparency regarding COVID-19 vaccine contracts with Pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and AstraZeneca. The court's decision, published on Wednesday, scrutinizes the Commission's handling of purchase agreements valued at approximately EUR2.7 billion during 2020 and 2021, the peak of the pandemic.
According to the court's statement, requests from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for access to unredacted contract details were met with only partial disclosure by Brussels. The Commission also declined to reveal the identities of its negotiating team members, citing concerns over protecting commercial interests and the decision-making process.
Critics argued that such transparency was crucial to ensuring public trust, safeguarding against potential conflicts of interest among European Union negotiators. The court concurred, asserting that the Commission had not adequately justified its decision to withhold certain contractual details from the public. It emphasized that broader access to these agreements would not necessarily compromise the commercial interests of the pharmaceutical companies involved.
The ruling highlights ongoing concerns over accountability and transparency in the European Union's management of crucial pandemic-related contracts and decisions, underscoring the importance of openness in public health initiatives during times of crisis.
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