5 hours agoEuropean Commission and AstraZeneca at trial session 26 May
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)The European Commission has initiated legal procedures against AstraZeneca company, with the aim of fast distribution of contractual doses of vaccines against COVID-19. The hearing of both sides before the tribunal is scheduled for 26 May and will be conducted according to Belgium's legal procedures, according to the Commission. When it comes to legal procedure, we're looking for [...]
The European Commission has initiated legal procedures against AstraZeneca company, with the aim of fast distribution of contractual doses of vaccines against COVID-19.
The hearing of both sides before the tribunal is scheduled for 26 May and will be conducted according to Belgium's legal procedures, according to the Commission.
When it comes to legal procedure, we're looking for what we've been asking from the beginning, and this is the rapid distribution of an adequate number of vaccines for which EU citizens are entitled and which are secured by signed contracts, “said Commission spokesman Stefan de Kersmaker.
The EC stresses that the start of legal procedures before the tribunal was due to the failure of negotiations with the AstraZeneca company, which in some cases, in the Commission's opinion, violated agreements on the initial procurement of vaccines for the EU.
The first session of both sides before the court is scheduled for 26 May and will be conducted according to Belgian procedure rules, and the EC will be represented by foreign legal advisers.
European Commission began procedure, accusing the company of failing to meet contract to supply vaccines against COVIDD-19, as well as the lack of a reliable plan that would provide timely delivery.
The procedure is public, will consist of two hearings and will be conducted in an emergency procedure, meaning it can be completed within weeks, the EC said.
A lawyer representing AstraZeneca said at the feasibility session that the contract with the company does not contain the obligation to disseminate vaccines from all production facilities, Reuters reports.
The company has plants in EU member states Belgium and the Netherlands, and also Britain, which helped develop the vaccine.
“AstraZeneca deeply regrets the European Commission's decision to initiate legal procedures regarding the COVID-19” supply agreement, said company lawyer Hakim Bularbat, adding that he hoped this dispute would be resolved as soon as possible.
The judge intends to make a decision in June.
