On Friday 10 April, ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen met with fellow liberal leaders and European Commissioners to discuss a range of topics amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In his speech, van Baalen pointed out that a true European approach is one that unites both the EU institutions and the EU Member States. He welcomed the conclusions of the Eurogroup as a sign of European solidarity, which is necessary during times like these. He also reminded the participants that Emma Bonino, ‘Grand Lady of Italian Liberalism’ and Senator of Rome, had not only endorsed the Eurogroup’s position but had concluded – although she had always been in favour of Eurobonds – that the Italian government should be flexible as well in accepting the European Stability Mechanism to co-finance the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and to contribute to the economic reconstruction of Europe.

This morning I participated at the online summit of liberal leaders. We all backed the conclusions of the Eurogroup which means European solidarity to fight #COVIDー19 and to rebuild our economy. We are all in this together! 💪🏻 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/xd0CaCLI4v

— Hans van Baalen (@hansvanbaalen) April 10, 2020