The European Union is open to discuss waiving intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday.
“The EU is also ready to discuss any proposals that address the crisis in an effective and pragmatic manner,’’ the EU executive chief said during a press conference.
“That’s why we are ready to discuss how the U.S. proposal for a waiver on intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines could help achieve that objective,’’ she said.
U.S. Ambassador Katherine Tai on Wednesday signalled openness to suspending patent rights, indicating that Washington would discuss this step with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
However, to address immediate needs all vaccine-producing countries should allow exports of the jabs, von der Leyen said.
The EU had exported more than 200 million vaccine doses, von der Leyen added.
dpa
