France, Germany threaten AstraZeneca with legal action if they favor UK over EU by distributing Covid-19 vaccine – RT World News

“I’m not saying there is a problem, but if there is a problem and [they] we preferred other destinations, other countries, for example the United Kingdom, over us, so we will defend our interests ”. French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune told French radio J on Sunday, adding that the company now faces “Serious accusations” and it’s not something about Brussels “slightly.”

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The official later said the Anglo-Swedish vaccine maker could face “Penalties or sanctions” if you find that you have prioritized your UK customers over European customers. Beaune added that Brussels could sanction the company by refusing to order additional doses or by imposing sanctions. “Provided by the contract”.

The EU has reached an early purchase agreement with AstraZeneca worth 336 million euros ($ 407.8 million), but not all the money has gone to the company. Beaune admitted that an investigation into AstraZeneca is still ongoing and that Europeans first need “Clarity and transparency”.

Yet, he says, “if a preference has been given to the British, then that’s a problem.” A similar reprimand came from Germany, where Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told Die Welt newspaper that “If it turns out that individual companies are not meeting their obligations, a decision must be made on the legal consequences.”

Under no circumstances should you give preference to another country over the EU.

The EU has been embroiled in a bitter dispute with AstraZeneca over the manufacturer’s decision to cut the EU’s initial vaccine supply from 80 million to 31 million doses. Next, EU officials asked the company to divert the vaccines, made in the UK, to the EU. The bloc also suspected that the pharmaceutical giant was prioritizing its contracts with other countries like the United Kingdom at its own expense.

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca has said it will fully meet its obligations to the UK government and blamed the EU’s problems with vaccines on production issues at its European factories. Brussels responded by imposing export controls on all vaccines produced within the bloc, including those from AstraZeneca itself. Now any manufacturer would have to get approval for their exports from Brussels first before shipping doses anywhere outside the bloc at least until the end of March.

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Brussels is said to have even considered activating an emergency mechanism in the divorce agreement with the UK to unilaterally restrict the movement of goods, including vaccines, from the EU to Northern Ireland. However, he quickly backed down after facing backlash from London, Belfast and Dublin.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter on Sunday that the parties had made progress in resolving the situation and AstraZeneca agreed “Deliver nine million additional doses in the first quarter”, increase the total number of shots to be thrown during this period from 31 million to 40 million, and “To expand its manufacturing capacity in Europe”.

However, not everyone liked the news. Former European Commission adviser Pierre Dechamps said such a result could hardly be considered a success, as the amount pledged is still well below the initial 80 million doses. He also accused London of practically “Nationalize” the vaccine manufacturer to serve its own interests.

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