Reuters - European Union leaders agreed at a summit on Thursday (March 25) to step up production of COVID-19 vaccines in Europe and improve the rollout of inoculations across member states, European Council President Charles Michel said.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference after a summit of EU leaders that vaccinations are progressing steadily and the bloc is on course to have 70% of adults inoculated in the second quarter.
The leaders was also marked by the short participation of U.S. President Joe Biden, who seeks to repair ties after four difficult years with former president Donald Trump.
The last time a U.S. president addressed an EU summit was in 2009, according to an EU spokesman, although both Europe and the United States have held regular summits at NATO.
Michel called on the 27-member bloc and the United States to safeguard global security, democracy and stability, adding their attitude now would 'have an impact for the many years to come."
Von der Leyen welcomed Ankara's change in stance on the eastern Mediterranean, but said the relationship between the bloc and aspiring member Turkey was still fragile.
"Turkey has shown a more constructive attitude including in its bilateral relations with several EU member states. These are positive and welcomed steps on which we must try to build on," Von der Leyen said.
EU leaders said that their experts can "work on a mandate for the modernisation of the customs union," according to a statement, allowing the 1990's-era trade agreement to be expanded to services, farm goods and public procurement.
Negotiations could still take several years to complete and the EU is concerned that Erdogan could change course as he seeks a bigger regional role for Turkey, moving against the EU.
"If Turkey does not move forward constructively, it it returns to unilateral actions or provocations in particular in the Easter Mediterranean, of course would suspend this cooperation measures," the former German defence minister said.
The mother of seven lamented Turkey's decision to quit a convention protecting women and children from violence and called on all EU members to ratify it.
