Eurotopics.net

Criticism of the pace of the coronavirus vaccination campaign is growing in the countries of the EU. Biontech boss Uğur Şahin, for example, has said the EU was too slow in ordering vaccines. On a per capita basis, the EU states are currently lagging behind countries such as Israel, the US and Britain. Commentators voice annoyance, but also understanding.

After the end of the transition phase the UK left the EU's single market and customs union at the start of the new year. London and Brussels narrowly avoided a no-deal Brexit with a last-minute deal. Europe's media discuss the long-term consequences on both sides of the English Channel.

Many observers see 2021 marking the start of a new phase for the EU, believing that with the recovery fund, the agreement on climate targets reached in December and the joint vaccination strategy an important foundation for closer integration has been laid. Will the coming year be a harmonious one for the Union?

Expectations are high that 2021 will turn out to be better than 2020 - at least as far as the Covid pandemic is concerned. But not all commentators believe these hopes are justified, and some are already focusing on what comes after the pandemic.