Ebola outbreak - EU needs to take decisive action immediately

The European Union and the international community must do more and act more promptly to stop the spilling-over effects of Ebola contamination. Ebola has killed more than 2400 people this year and its rapid spread is threatening hundreds of thousands of people. The EPP Group believes that joint efforts of the international community together with the African countries must act quickly as the virus poses a global security challenge.

"The European Union has to show leadership in this matter. We need to do so not only because of our solidarity with the countries of western Africa but also because of our own security and our citizens", said Davor Ivo Stier MEP, the EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament’s Development Committee during today’s Council and Commission statements on the EU's response to the Ebola outbreak.

The EPP Group calls on the European Commission to intensify efforts and coordinate with the United Nations towards combating the Ebola virus. Moreover, the Council and the Commission should support and encourage the African Union to apply a holistic action plan as the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly and is threatening economies and public order of the countries concerned.

"There is no time to lose. Decisive action by the European Union is needed now. Member States and the European Commission should coordinate and strengthen medical research and the production of efficient medicines and vaccines against Ebola, and advance the necessary clinical trials for existing candidate treatments", concluded Davor Ivo Stier.