The EU-UK Covid vaccine row explained: What now? – BBC Newsnight

The UK and the European Union have said they are working together to improve their relationship, after weeks of tensions over Covid vaccine supplies. Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog

In a joint statement, they said they wanted to “create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all”.

The European Commission earlier proposed tougher export controls on vaccines, amid tensions over supplies of the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that “blockades” were not “sensible”.

The joint UK-EU statement said that “openness and global co-operation” would be key to tackling the pandemic.

“We are all facing the same pandemic and the third wave makes co-operation between the EU and UK even more important,” it said. “We will continue our discussions.”

But there was little harmony earlier on Wednesday when the Commission announced plans for all vaccine shipments to be assessed on the destination country’s rate of vaccinations and exports. The proposals, which will be put before EU leaders on Thursday, are seen as focused on the UK and US in particular.

Newsnight’s Political Editor Nick Watt reports.

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