Coronavirus crisis: For Europe, it's a

question of survival
In a joint editorial on the COVID-19 pandemic,
Wolfgang Ischinger and Boris Ruge explain why the
current situation constitutes a matter of life or death
for the European Union. "Faced with the greatest
crisis since World War II, the EU must focus on
winning hearts and minds."
In the age of COVID-19, the enormous consequences of the pandemic
are becoming increasingly evident with every passing week. The task at
hand is to save lives. But the task is also to save the Union: Decision-
makers must ensure that the EU emerges from the crisis strong enough
to deal with the challenges within and to hold its own in a world of great
power competition.

The German government has been praised for its crisis management with
regard to economic and social issues. But it has been slow in articulating
a European vision and has faced harsh criticism from Brussels and EU
partners.

Many Italians and Spaniards feel that neither Brussels nor EU partners are
providing anything close to enough support. The polls are clear: More
than 60% polled in Italy say Europe is not helping. From their point of
view, there’s no value added in the EU as the situation becomes
increasingly desperate.

Meanwhile, China and Russia are presenting themselves as selfless

saviours in Italy and elsewhere. As High Representative Borrell wrote in a
notable blog, Europe is in the midst of a "battle of narratives". In reality,
support extended by EU partners is more substantial than what China
has delivered as part of its carefully scripted propaganda effort. Add to
the delivery of essential medical equipment the treatment of French and
Italian patients in Germany (and other EU countries) as well as joint
efforts to repatriate stranded EU travelers from all over the world.

The trouble is that this help was slow in coming and poorly
communicated. And obviously, what has been done so far is not nearly
enough as case numbers continue to explode.

It is hardly a detail if citizens across several member states feel

abandoned in an existential crisis. A new Facebook group in Italy called
"#StopEU-Italexit" rapidly attracted more than 900,000 followers and is
working to take that number to 1 million soon. Europe cannot afford to
alienate so many citizens. It must turn the tide.

On the substance, it is obvious that Europe will not be able to get a

handle on the crisis unless we pursue solutions at EU level. In her hard-
hitting EP speech on 26 March, Ursula von der Leyen rightly blasted
member states for their selfishness and lack of coordination over the past
weeks.

As a leader in Europe, Berlin must do the maximum to promote EU action.

An obvious way of doing so would be to throw its weight behind
commission initiatives already on the table, including measures to
coordinate procurement and distribution of critical equipment such as
masks, gloves, test kits, and ventilators. While the European Council of
26 March called on the Commission to speed things up, in reality, the ball
is in the court of member states who must sign contracts and streamline
administrative procedures.

Tangible and visible solidarity among Europeans is no less important. The

Commission has a crucial role to play in terms of coordination. However,
resources and assistance for hard-hit partners must come from member
states. Germany and other partners must further step up their support to
Italy, Spain, and France. A positive response to France's request for the
use of Bundeswehr helicopters would provide desperately needed help
and would at the same time be highly symbolic.
Making rapid progress on the development, testing, and deployment of a
COVID-19 vaccine as highlighted by the European Council is another "line
of operation" in which the EU can leverage its comparative advantage
and potentially shift popular attitudes in the process.

In order to weather the impact of the pandemic, the EU will need to do

many things, including maintaining the single market, adopting a
sufficiently resourced multiannual financial framework, and coming to an
agreement on future financing mechanisms.

The European Central Bank has taken important decisions that will help
Europe pull through. The European Investment Bank has also stepped up.
By contrast, Ministers and Heads of State/Government have not come
together to the extent necessary. Differences of opinion on financial
instruments remain. They will not vanish overnight, but they must be
discussed with the utmost sensitivity and respect. Long-held positions
must be re-examined and re-evaluated for their suitability in the current
emergency. Ultimately, what is needed is rapid action that makes an
impact and supports European economies and the livelihoods of millions
of citizens.

Finally, communicating EU action and the added value of the Union to a

skeptical (and in parts hostile) audience will be crucial. To be successful,
the EU needs to mobilize top talent and to ensure the closest possible
coordination between Brussels and national capitals. Perhaps the
example of the Media Operations Center set up during NATO's 1999 air
campaign in which national and alliance comms experts worked side by
side while supporting the top-level spokespersons on a daily basis can
be instructive. In any case, what is needed is a truly strategic
communications effort.

In the wake of last week's European Council, Portugal’s PM Costa was

quoted as saying "Either the EU does what needs to be done or it will
end." This is indeed about survival. Faced with the greatest crisis since
World War II, the EU must focus on winning hearts and minds. For that to
happen, member states must show that solidarity is real and that
together we can make the difference for millions of Europeans in the life-
and-death situation which is now our shared reality.

Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger is Chairman of the Munich Security

Conference (MSC); Ambassador Boris Ruge is Vice Chairman of the MSC.