The European Commission said on Wednesday that it had set out plans for a robust and targeted response to support partner countries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, including 800 million Euro in aid for the Western Balkans and Turkey.

 “The EU's collective action will focus on addressing the immediate health crisis and resulting humanitarian needs, strengthening partner countries’ health, water and sanitation systems and their research and preparedness capacities to deal with the pandemic, as well as mitigating the socioeconomic impact,” a press release said.

Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that international cooperation is needed to combat the pandemic.“The virus knows no borders. This global challenge needs strong international cooperation,” she said.

Her words were echoed by the EU’s top diplomat, High Representative Josep Borrell. “The coronavirus pandemic requires united, global action in response… This is a global fight that we will either win or lose together,” he said and added that the EU needs to help its neighbors.

Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi said that the EU is “redirecting more than 3.8 billion Euro of foreseen funds for the Western Balkans and our immediate neighbours to the East and to the South for urgent response to the health crisis, to strengthen the health systems and to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic”. “We share a continent and we can only succeed together,” he said.