Charles Michel

European Union leaders will hold a video conference on April 23 to discuss the economic response to coronavirus, the President of the European Council Charles Michel said on Friday, a day after EU finance ministers agreed on half-a-trillion euros worth of support for their coronavirus-battered economies.

In a phone call on April 3, Turkey's president and the head of the European Council discussed bilateral relations as well as regional issues.

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the EU's Charles Michel also discussed efforts to fight COVID-19, said Turkey's Communications Directorate.

By George Gilson

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will participate on Thursday afternoon in a conference call with the heads of state and governments of the European Union member states to discuss developments regarding the coronavirus and its containment.

Nine European Union countries, including Greece, have requested in a letter to European Council President Charles Michel that the bloc issues a Eurobond to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Messages of support and offers of help have poured into Croatia after Sunday's earthquake of at least 5.3 magnitudes, which hit the capital and injured dozens of people as well as damaging buildings.

European Union leaders will hold another video conference on March 26 to discuss the impact of coronavirus, a top official said on Thursday, the same day the European Parliament plans to increase EU aid to the economy.

The European Union has slammed the new anti-virus travel ban announced by US President Donald Trump, lashing out at an "unilateral" decision taken "without consultation."

EU leaders will hold emergency talks to discuss a joint response to the coronavirus, as the bloc's executive offered waivers to its fiscal and state subsidy rules to let states boost public spending.

The announcement of Tuesday's teleconference came after Italy and France called for Europe-wide fiscal stimulus to counter the economic impact of the epidemic.

They met on Monday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who came to Brussels to seek support.
There was some tension after the talks as Erdogan went directly to the airport instead of holding a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel.