EU formally supports Iran's request for IMF assistance
Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels
For the first time since the coronavirus outbreak became a pandemic, EU foreign affairs ministers held a meeting on Monday to discuss the crisis via videoconference.
They have formally agreed to support a request by Tehran for a five billion dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund to assist the country in trying to contain the virus. After chairing the videoconference, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also had this to say.
Closer to home, the EU has plenty of its own problems. A number of neighboring member states within the 27-country bloc are closing their borders. Essential medical equipment and also food are not getting to where they need to be.
The European Commission is relaxing its strict austerity rules so that EU nations have more flexibility to try and meet the mammoth challenges head on. A huge number of people have already lost their jobs. The longer they are out of work the more dire the situation becomes, according to experts.
Banks, businesses of all sizes, tenants, landlords and ordinary mortgage holders are facing a very uncertain future. But aside from the enormous economic concerns, unprecedented since World War II, clearly the priorities right now are finding an effective treatment for those who are already sick and a vaccine for those who are not.
Leader meets workers on Labor Week
US continues starving Syrians, stealing their resources
Iran marks defeat of US military operation in Tabas Desert
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Severe heat wave hits India as phase 2 of polling begins
What to expect after President Raeisi's visit to Pakistan
China describes Iran as ‘strategic partner' in West Asia
April 25: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Hezbollah hits Israeli military sites near border with rockets, drones
Rwandans say UK deportation 'another brutal manifestation of neo-colonialism'
US troops begin construction of controversial pier off Gaza
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
