Team Europe’s response to COVID-19 in Ecuador

A global challenge like this pandemic requires a global response. Aware of this, the European Union (EU) is holding a series of COVID Round Tables. This initiative aims to identify the needs of partner countries to prioritise and adapt the response to the health crisis.

As part of this initiative, which is being supported by FIIAPP, Ecuadorian and European authorities have met with the aim of presenting the results of the sectoral round table meetings held between the EU, its Member States and seven different ministries to jointly back Ecuador’s response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. The meeting was attended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility and the ambassadors of Germany, Spain, France, Hungary, Italy and the EU to Ecuador.

Since the beginning of the health emergency, the European Union has promoted the Team Europe initiative to support partner countries in their fight against COVID-19. The activities carried out within the framework of Team Europe fall under the Commission’s three priorities, namely the response to the health crisis and humanitarian needs, support for strengthening research, health and water systems and addressing the economic and social consequences.  The EU contribution to the global response to COVID-19 not only seeks immediate solutions, but also looks to the recovery’s medium and long term, with a special focus on the 5 Ps of the 2030 Agenda (Planet, People, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships).

During the meeting, Charles-Michel Geurts, the European Union ambassador to Ecuador, stressed that in the first months of the health emergency, European commitment to Ecuador could be seen through the EU’s united, rapid and determined global action, involving joint support which is now being maintained.

“A crisis of this dimension needs a holistic approach in terms of its analysis and especially in its response. International cooperation can and should play a supporting role to effectively contribute to Ecuador’s rapid and coordinated response to protect the lives and health of its people and thus address the consequences of the social and economic recession’’, stated the ambassador.

Luis Gallegos, the Ecuadorian foreign minister, said that it is time to assume the new normality and incorporate new forms of work, resources and shared approaches from each of the European cooperation programmes, projects, actions and strategies.

Spain’s ambassador to Ecuador, Carlos Abella y de Arístegui, also underlined his country’s commitment to the country during the meeting, highlighting the solidarity with and response to COVID-19 in Ecuador from all Spanish society, including public administration bodies, the Spanish Cooperation system, the private sector and NGOs.