Cyprus is ready to work towards the establishment of common standards for the use of rapid antigen tests, which can significantly help in the fight against the pandemic and underlines the importance of developing a coordinated approach for vaccination strategies across Europe, President Nicos Anastasiades has said.

Addressing a EUCO videoconferene on Thursday, the President, according to a written statement by Government Spokesman Kyriakos Kousios, expressed his wish that the measures taken to contain the virus across the EU will yield results and will alleviate the further burden on the economies.

The President also expressed his wish that the situation in the near future will be such as to allow the relaxation of the measures  and citizens will be able to celebrate Christmas, at the end of a very difficult year for everyone.

The EU leaders discussed ways of further coordination to tackle the second wave of the pandemic and agreed on the need for the discussions to take place immediately, with the aim of defining a specific framework for the use of rapid antigen tests,  addressing the multiple challenges that will arise after approval of the coronavirus vaccines, in particular as regards the supply and storage of vaccines and  increasing the effectiveness of measures taken to deal with the second wave in all member states, so that governments will be able to lift the strict restrictions imposed until the festive season.

At the beginning of the videonference, German Chancellor referred to the need for immediate approval of the agreement reached with the European Parliament on the Multiannual Financial Framework which would allow for timely disbursement to the Member States of those resources that will contribute to the recovery of their economies due to the pandemic.