Eurotopics.net

The EU member states plan to exercise utmost caution in relaxing the border controls introduced in the corona crisis. Following a video conference with his colleagues, Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic, acting in his capacity as EU Council President, said: "We all agreed that above all we must prevent new waves of infection". He did not mention any concrete schedule for the opening of borders. This course meets with a mixed response in the press.

The corona pandemic has virtually paralysed passenger aviation. Almost all airlines are fighting for survival, and governments are assessing whether and how to bail out faltering companies. In Germany for example, government aid for Lufthansa will be discussed in the coming week after the company announced it could no longer finance itself.

The measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic are impeding the fight against the plague of locusts in East Africa. In recent months swarms have been flying mainly over Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, devouring crops and leaving swathes of land bare. Each insect is capable of eating its own body weight in plants each day. Commentators say the time has come for Europe to act.

China appears to have succeeded in watering down an EU report that clearly listed Beijing's mistakes in the coronavirus crisis. According to the European External Action Service (EEAS) report, government sources in Russia and China have been spreading false information about the pandemic. Commentators discuss the motives behind Beijing's disinformation policy and how Europe should respond.