More than 100 European Union Parliamentarians have back to a proposal by India and South Africa for the waiver of IPL or intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines.

WION Dispatch: European leaders urge EU to back India-South Africa on COVID-19 jabs

European Union leaders will agree to work on certificates of vaccination for EU citizens who have had an anti-COVID shot, with southern EU countries that depend heavily on tourism desperate to rescue this summer’s holiday season.

EU leaders mull vaccine passports to resurrect tourism

A rights group on Wednesday highlighted how China has dramatically increased the systemic prosecution of Muslim minorities through formal courts systems on dubious charges such as "picking quarrels".

"Despite the veneer of legality, many of those in Xinjiang's prisons are ordinary people who were convicted for going about their lives and practising their religion," Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher Maya Wang was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-slams-china-over-human-rights-abuses-365786/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The organisation also said that over 250,000 people in Xinjiang have been sentenced and imprisoned since 2016.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/disregards-facts-and-common-sense-china-decries-canadas-motion-saying-its-treatment-of-uighurs-is-genocide-365690">'Disregards facts and common sense': China decries Canada's motion saying its treatment of Uighurs is 'genocide'</a>

These criminal convictions had increased between 2017 and 2019 during a crackdown on Uighurs and other and other majorly Muslim minorities.

About 100,000 people were sentenced by courts in Xinjiang in 2017, up from less than 40,000 in 2016, the HRW said, mentioning government figures.&nbsp;

It also accused the Chinese administration to put pressure on police, courts and prosecutors to "deliver swift and harsh punishment" on grounds of terrorism, causing several people sent to jail without committing any genuine offence.

Convictions are given on activities such as "telling others 'what is haram and halal'" and bringing gifts to relatives in Turkey, HRW said.&nbsp;

It also said that the prison term has grown longer.&nbsp;

The HRW's comments came a day after the European Union asked China to allow UN human rights boss Michelle Bachelet visit the region and investigate the alleged human rights violations against Uighurs.&nbsp;

"Once again, we urge China to allow meaningful access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including High Commissioner Bachelet. This is key to enable an independent, impartial and transparent assessment of the grave concerns that the international community has," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said while addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A rights group on Wednesday highlighted how China has dramatically increased the systemic prosecution of Muslim minorities through formal courts systems on dubious charges such as "picking quarrels".

A rights group on Wednesday highlighted how China has dramatically increased the systemic prosecution of Muslim minorities through formal courts systems on dubious charges such as "picking quarrels". "Despite the veneer of legality, many of those in Xinjiang's prisons are ordinary people who were convicted for going about their lives and practising their religion," Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher Maya Wang was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Watch | The organisation also said that over 250,000 people in Xinjiang have been sentenced and imprisoned since 2016. Also read | 'Disregards facts and common sense': China decries Canada's motion saying its treatment of Uighurs is 'genocide' These criminal convictions had increased between 2017 and 2019 during a crackdown on Uighurs and other and other majorly Muslim minorities. About 100,000 people were sentenced by courts in Xinjiang in 2017, up from less than 40,000 in 2016, the HRW said, mentioning government figures. It also accused the Chinese administration to put pressure on police, courts and prosecutors to "deliver swift and harsh punishment" on grounds of terrorism, causing several people sent to jail without committing any genuine offence. Convictions are given on activities such as "telling others 'what is haram and halal'" and bringing gifts to relatives in Turkey, HRW said. It also said that the prison term has grown longer. The HRW's comments came a day after the European Union asked China to allow UN human rights boss Michelle Bachelet visit the region and investigate the alleged human rights violations against Uighurs. "Once again, we urge China to allow meaningful access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including High Commissioner Bachelet. This is key to enable an independent, impartial and transparent assessment of the grave concerns that the international community has," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said while addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Rights group says Uighur convictions rise as EU demands access to Xinjiang

European Union leaders will meet on Thursday to work on vaccination certificates for EU residents who have received vaccines.&nbsp;Southern EU countries are highly dependent on tourism, and looking for ways to salvage this year’s summer holiday season.

Owing to the pandemic, lockdowns were imposed across the bloc, which caused the deepest recession to hit the EU, which comprised 27 countries. The countries in southern EU were hit the hardest, as they depend largely on tourists.

Regardless, vaccine rollouts across EU countries are in full swing, with many countries like Greece and Spain pushing for the quick adoption of an EU-wide certification for people who have received the vaccine. 
 
France and Germany have remained more reluctant to agree to the idea of a certificate, claiming that it would create an unspoken vaccination obligation, while remaining discriminatory to those who can’t or are unwilling to take the shot.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-pfizer-tried-to-bully-argentina-and-brazil-in-exchange-for-vaccines-366037" hreflang="en">How Pfizer tried to bully Argentina and Brazil in exchange for vaccines</a>

Anti-vaccine sentiment is strong in France, and the government has pledged not to make the shots compulsory, and a French official has referred to vaccine passports as a “premature” idea.

A lot of details are still pending - whether the passport should be digital, whether it is valid globally, and at what stage of the two-step vaccination process it should be issued.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covax-delivers-its-first-vaccine-shots-with-shipment-to-ghana-366036" hreflang="en">COVAX delivers its first vaccine shots with shipment to Ghana</a>

"We call for work to continue on a common approach to vaccination certificates," Reuters cited a video conference of leaders as mentioning.

Officials also said the EU is working with the International Air Transport Association, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the World Health Organization.

(With inputs from Reuters)

European Union leaders will meet on Thursday to work on vaccination certificates for EU residents who have received vaccines. Southern EU countries are highly dependent on tourism, and looking for ways to salvage this year’s summer holiday season.

European Union leaders will meet on Thursday to work on vaccination certificates for EU residents who have received vaccines. Southern EU countries are highly dependent on tourism, and looking for ways to salvage this year’s summer holiday season. Owing to the pandemic, lockdowns were imposed across the bloc, which caused the deepest recession to hit the EU, which comprised 27 countries. The countries in southern EU were hit the hardest, as they depend largely on tourists. Regardless, vaccine rollouts across EU countries are in full swing, with many countries like Greece and Spain pushing for the quick adoption of an EU-wide certification for people who have received the vaccine. France and Germany have remained more reluctant to agree to the idea of a certificate, claiming that it would create an unspoken vaccination obligation, while remaining discriminatory to those who can’t or are unwilling to take the shot. Also read: How Pfizer tried to bully Argentina and Brazil in exchange for vaccines Anti-vaccine sentiment is strong in France, and the government has pledged not to make the shots compulsory, and a French official has referred to vaccine passports as a “premature” idea. A lot of details are still pending - whether the passport should be digital, whether it is valid globally, and at what stage of the two-step vaccination process it should be issued. Also read: COVAX delivers its first vaccine shots with shipment to Ghana "We call for work to continue on a common approach to vaccination certificates," Reuters cited a video conference of leaders as mentioning. Officials also said the EU is working with the International Air Transport Association, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the World Health Organization. (With inputs from Reuters)

European Union mulls 'vaccination passports' to bring back tourists

After the United Kingdom, the European Union has now demanded access to the Xinjian region for human rights observers. EU has urged China to allow an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of Uighur minorities.

WION Fineprint: EU demands China allow 'meaningful access' to Xinjiang region

WION Dispatch: EU demands China allow 'meaningful access' to Xinjiang region

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that new problems dogging the supply of AstraZeneca's vaccines can be resolved, after the group admitted it could deliver only half the expected amount to the bloc in the second quarter.

AstraZeneca said Tuesday its EU supply chains would only be able to deliver half of an expected supply of Covid-19 vaccines to the bloc in the second quarter -- but that it would look to make up the shortfall from elsewhere.

"The vaccine manufacturers are our partners in this pandemic and they have also never faced such a challenge," she told the German regional daily Augsburger Allgemeine.

"New questions are always arising that we can generally resolve amicably," she said on the eve of a virtual EU summit on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Von der Leyen added that she advocated "working together with the companies to ensure global production is improved".

Meanwhile, reports have said AstraZeneca was "working to increase productivity in its EU supply chain" and would use its "global capability in order to achieve delivery of 180 million doses to the EU in the second quarter".&nbsp;

Approximately half of the expected volume is due to come from the EU supply chain while the remainder would come from its international supply network.

The announcement follows controversy over deliveries of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University jab to the European Union in the first quarter, which has caused tension between the bloc and the pharmaceutical company.

The UK government has vaccinated millions of Britons with the AstraZeneca jab since late last year.&nbsp;But the company&nbsp;only began shipping it to the EU in early February, after the bloc's drug regulator took its time over recommending its use.

Ahead of the EU's approval of the vaccine at the end of January, the company sparked fury among European leaders by announcing that it would miss its target of supplying the EU with 400 million doses, due to a shortfall at the firm's European plants.

The disagreement also caused diplomatic tensions with Britain, which definitively left the EU after 40 years of membership following a transmission period at the end of 2020 -- with Brussels implicitly accusing AstraZeneca of giving preferential treatment to Britain at the expense of the EU.

(with inputs from agencies)

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that new problems dogging the supply of AstraZeneca's vaccines can be resolved, after the group admitted it could deliver only half the expected amount to the bloc in the second quarter.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that new problems dogging the supply of AstraZeneca's vaccines can be resolved, after the group admitted it could deliver only half the expected amount to the bloc in the second quarter. AstraZeneca said Tuesday its EU supply chains would only be able to deliver half of an expected supply of Covid-19 vaccines to the bloc in the second quarter -- but that it would look to make up the shortfall from elsewhere. "The vaccine manufacturers are our partners in this pandemic and they have also never faced such a challenge," she told the German regional daily Augsburger Allgemeine. "New questions are always arising that we can generally resolve amicably," she said on the eve of a virtual EU summit on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Von der Leyen added that she advocated "working together with the companies to ensure global production is improved". Meanwhile, reports have said AstraZeneca was "working to increase productivity in its EU supply chain" and would use its "global capability in order to achieve delivery of 180 million doses to the EU in the second quarter". Approximately half of the expected volume is due to come from the EU supply chain while the remainder would come from its international supply network. The announcement follows controversy over deliveries of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University jab to the European Union in the first quarter, which has caused tension between the bloc and the pharmaceutical company. The UK government has vaccinated millions of Britons with the AstraZeneca jab since late last year. But the company only began shipping it to the EU in early February, after the bloc's drug regulator took its time over recommending its use. Ahead of the EU's approval of the vaccine at the end of January, the company sparked fury among European leaders by announcing that it would miss its target of supplying the EU with 400 million doses, due to a shortfall at the firm's European plants. The disagreement also caused diplomatic tensions with Britain, which definitively left the EU after 40 years of membership following a transmission period at the end of 2020 -- with Brussels implicitly accusing AstraZeneca of giving preferential treatment to Britain at the expense of the EU. (with inputs from agencies)

AstraZeneca admits new delays, EU chief seeks 'amicable' solution

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War. This was his first speech since taking office. Mario Draghi, the former chief of European Central Bank said that the pandemic was his top priority in a long list of issues requiring urgent attention.

"The government will carry out reforms but will also tackle the emergency," he told the Senate, the upper house of parliament, where he has almost unanimous support for his new government of national unity.

The 73-year-old, parachuted in after the previous centre-left government collapsed, has been dubbed "Super Mario" since promising to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro during the 2012 debt crisis.

On Wednesday he promised to fight "with all means" the pandemic that has left more than 94,000 Italians dead and sparked a deep recession, with the economy contracting almost nine percent last year.

"Today we have, as did the governments of the immediate post-war period, the possibility -- or rather the responsibility -- to start a new reconstruction," Draghi said in his almost hour-long address.

Draghi's new government invlves wide range of parties from Silvio Berlusconi's &nbsp;Forza Italia along with leftist the populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and Matteo Salvini's eurosceptic, far-right League

Draghi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy's 30th prime minister. This ended month-long political crisis sparkes by implosion of former PM Giuseppe Conte's coalition.

On Wednesday, Draghi said it was a time of "intense emotion" personally to take over with Italy in such a "dramatic situation".

There is an increased concern about the new coronavirus variant in Italy. This has sparked a series of mini-lockdowns in towns across Italy, Draghi emphasised the importance of speeding up vaccinations.

Long-awaited overhaul

Another immediate challenge is drawing up a plan to spend what Draghi has previously called the "extraordinary resources" offered by the EU. 
Italy expects to receive more than 200 billion euros ($240 billion) from the EU's post-coronavirus recovery fund, but in return, it is expected to commit to potentially difficult or unpopular reforms.

"These resources will have to be spent with an aim to improve the growth potential of our economy," Draghi said.

He promised reform to Italy's stifling bureaucracy, labyrinthine tax code and snail-paced justice system, as well as a focus on education, closing the gap on female employment and fighting climate change.

In a second speech on Wednesday evening, he also pleaded for a revival of a failed policy: forcing EU countries to each take a share of the migrants arriving from across the Mediterranean, after years of Italy shouldering much of the burden.

"As a concrete measure of solidarity, Italy -- supported equally by certain Mediterranean countries -- proposes a mechanism of obligatory redistribution of migrants," he said.

Draghi has assembled a cabinet comprising a mix of politicians and technocrats, with key portfolios linked to the EU reform agenda given to technocrats.

Late Wednesday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence -- 262 in favour, 40 against and two absentations -- in &nbsp;Draghi's government. There will be another vote in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Thursday.

(With AFP inputs)

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War. This was his first speech since taking office. Mario Draghi, the former chief of European Central Bank said that the pandemic was his top priority in a long list of issues requiring urgent attention. "The government will carry out reforms but will also tackle the emergency," he told the Senate, the upper house of parliament, where he has almost unanimous support for his new government of national unity. The 73-year-old, parachuted in after the previous centre-left government collapsed, has been dubbed "Super Mario" since promising to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro during the 2012 debt crisis. On Wednesday he promised to fight "with all means" the pandemic that has left more than 94,000 Italians dead and sparked a deep recession, with the economy contracting almost nine percent last year. "Today we have, as did the governments of the immediate post-war period, the possibility -- or rather the responsibility -- to start a new reconstruction," Draghi said in his almost hour-long address. Draghi's new government invlves wide range of parties from Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia along with leftist the populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and Matteo Salvini's eurosceptic, far-right League Draghi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy's 30th prime minister. This ended month-long political crisis sparkes by implosion of former PM Giuseppe Conte's coalition. On Wednesday, Draghi said it was a time of "intense emotion" personally to take over with Italy in such a "dramatic situation". There is an increased concern about the new coronavirus variant in Italy. This has sparked a series of mini-lockdowns in towns across Italy, Draghi emphasised the importance of speeding up vaccinations. Long-awaited overhaul Another immediate challenge is drawing up a plan to spend what Draghi has previously called the "extraordinary resources" offered by the EU. Italy expects to receive more than 200 billion euros ($240 billion) from the EU's post-coronavirus recovery fund, but in return, it is expected to commit to potentially difficult or unpopular reforms. "These resources will have to be spent with an aim to improve the growth potential of our economy," Draghi said. He promised reform to Italy's stifling bureaucracy, labyrinthine tax code and snail-paced justice system, as well as a focus on education, closing the gap on female employment and fighting climate change. In a second speech on Wednesday evening, he also pleaded for a revival of a failed policy: forcing EU countries to each take a share of the migrants arriving from across the Mediterranean, after years of Italy shouldering much of the burden. "As a concrete measure of solidarity, Italy -- supported equally by certain Mediterranean countries -- proposes a mechanism of obligatory redistribution of migrants," he said. Draghi has assembled a cabinet comprising a mix of politicians and technocrats, with key portfolios linked to the EU reform agenda given to technocrats. Late Wednesday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence -- 262 in favour, 40 against and two absentations -- in Draghi's government. There will be another vote in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Thursday. (With AFP inputs)

Italy PM Mario Draghi sets out plan to rebuild virus-hit country

Moderna and AstraZeneca to deliver vaccine dosage, to make up with the supply cuts. EU is negotiating new deal, this deal can double the vaccine doses. AstraZeneca had told EU that it had reduced its Supply target because of the production bottleneck. AstraZeneca has now agreed to increase the doses from 31 million to now 40 million.

EU Seeks new vaccine deal from manufacturers

Google is teaming up with the European Investment Fund (EIF) and two other organisations in Latin America and Asia to provide $75 million in funding to small- and medium-sized companies suffering from the impact of COVID-19.

The funds are part of an $800 million initiative announced in March last year in response to the pandemic.

Google, a unit of Alphabet, said on Wednesday that it would invest in two EIF funds, giving $15 million in loan capital to 1,000 European small businesses and $10 million in EIF’s venture capital fund backing 200 life sciences companies.

The EIF is part of the European Investment Bank group, the lending arm of the European Union.

In Latin America, Google will work with the Inter-American Development Bank to allocate $8 million to small companies.

It has also set up a $26 million loan fund with Kiva, an organisation that crowdfunds loans, to help businesses in Africa, the Middle East and Indonesia. Indian companies will get $15 million.

Google is teaming up with the European Investment Fund (EIF) and two other organisations in Latin America and Asia to provide $75 million in funding to small- and medium-sized companies suffering from the impact of COVID-19.

Google is teaming up with the European Investment Fund (EIF) and two other organisations in Latin America and Asia to provide $75 million in funding to small- and medium-sized companies suffering from the impact of COVID-19. The funds are part of an $800 million initiative announced in March last year in response to the pandemic. Google, a unit of Alphabet, said on Wednesday that it would invest in two EIF funds, giving $15 million in loan capital to 1,000 European small businesses and $10 million in EIF’s venture capital fund backing 200 life sciences companies. The EIF is part of the European Investment Bank group, the lending arm of the European Union. In Latin America, Google will work with the Inter-American Development Bank to allocate $8 million to small companies. It has also set up a $26 million loan fund with Kiva, an organisation that crowdfunds loans, to help businesses in Africa, the Middle East and Indonesia. Indian companies will get $15 million.

Google to invest $75 million in coronavirus-hit small businesses

European Union (EU) governments should be on guard against fraudsters offering fake Covid-19 vaccines, the bloc's anti-fraud office said on Monday, as the continent struggles to roll out mass inoculation while lockdowns ravage its economy.&nbsp;

The EU aims to vaccinate 70 per cent of its adult population by the end of the summer. That's a tall order as the inoculation campaign has been hit by delays and supply disruptions so far this year.&nbsp;

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) said it was aware of reports of fraudsters seeking to sell vaccines in the EU, including the fake ones.&nbsp;

"They are hoaxes organised to defraud national authorities looking to step up the pace of vaccination to keep their citizens safe," the agency said in a statement.&nbsp;

OLAF said it was extending its inquiry into fake Covid-19 protection products to tackle illicit vaccine trade coming from illegal imports as well as counterfeit medicines.&nbsp;

Since opening the investigation last March, OLAF said, it helped identify over 1,000 suspicious operations and seize over 14 million items, including faulty face masks and fake test kits.&nbsp;

The Covid-19 public health crisis and related economic slump are the top of the EU government's agenda in a year when countries from Germany and the Netherlands to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic hold national elections.&nbsp;

European Union (EU) governments should be on guard against fraudsters offering fake Covid-19 vaccines, the bloc's anti-fraud office said on Monday, as the continent struggles to roll out mass inoculation while lockdowns ravage its economy.

European Union (EU) governments should be on guard against fraudsters offering fake Covid-19 vaccines, the bloc's anti-fraud office said on Monday, as the continent struggles to roll out mass inoculation while lockdowns ravage its economy. The EU aims to vaccinate 70 per cent of its adult population by the end of the summer. That's a tall order as the inoculation campaign has been hit by delays and supply disruptions so far this year. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) said it was aware of reports of fraudsters seeking to sell vaccines in the EU, including the fake ones. "They are hoaxes organised to defraud national authorities looking to step up the pace of vaccination to keep their citizens safe," the agency said in a statement. OLAF said it was extending its inquiry into fake Covid-19 protection products to tackle illicit vaccine trade coming from illegal imports as well as counterfeit medicines. Since opening the investigation last March, OLAF said, it helped identify over 1,000 suspicious operations and seize over 14 million items, including faulty face masks and fake test kits. The Covid-19 public health crisis and related economic slump are the top of the EU government's agenda in a year when countries from Germany and the Netherlands to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic hold national elections.

EU's anti-fraud agency warns against fake Covid vaccines

In 2020, China overtook the United States to become the European Union's biggest trading partner, according to data released by the EU statistics agency Eurostat on Monday.

The third-largest trading partner for the EU is now Britain, which recently exited the European Union.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on trading and economies across the globe, but China was able to recover swiftly from the pandemic. The pandemic which began in China seemed to have the least negative impacts on its source country.

The Chinese economy was hit hard during the first quarter after the pandemic hit, but it soon recovered as consumption by the end of 2020 exceeded levels from even a year ago.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-damaged-multilateral-cooperation-should-not-be-pointing-fingers-at-others-china-363520" hreflang="en">US damaged multilateral cooperation, should not be 'pointing fingers' at others: China</a> 
 
Owing to this, European products were sold extensively in China. These include goods from the automobile and luxury goods sectors. China's exports to Europe also rose owing to the increasing demand for medical equipment and electronics in the midst of the pandemic. 
 
The US now remains dethroned from its top spot, while the EU and China struggle to ratify an investment deal which would give European companies more access to the Chinese market.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/britain-reiterates-us-concerns-and-criticism-over-who-covid-19-mission-to-china-363563" hreflang="en">Britain reiterates US 'concerns' and 'criticism' over WHO COVID-19 mission to China</a> 
 
According to Eurostat, the trade volume with China touched 586 billion euros ($711 billion) in 2020. This is higher than 55 billion euros ($673 billion) for the US. The agency added that EU exports increased by 2.2 per cent. At the same time, imports from the People's Republic of China rose by 5.6 per cent.

On the other hand, EU exports to the United States fell by 13.2 per cent during the same period. In addition, imports fell by 8.2 per cent.

In 2020, China overtook the United States to become the European Union's biggest trading partner, according to data released by the EU statistics agency Eurostat on Monday.

In 2020, China overtook the United States to become the European Union's biggest trading partner, according to data released by the EU statistics agency Eurostat on Monday. The third-largest trading partner for the EU is now Britain, which recently exited the European Union. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on trading and economies across the globe, but China was able to recover swiftly from the pandemic. The pandemic which began in China seemed to have the least negative impacts on its source country. The Chinese economy was hit hard during the first quarter after the pandemic hit, but it soon recovered as consumption by the end of 2020 exceeded levels from even a year ago. Also read: US damaged multilateral cooperation, should not be 'pointing fingers' at others: China Owing to this, European products were sold extensively in China. These include goods from the automobile and luxury goods sectors. China's exports to Europe also rose owing to the increasing demand for medical equipment and electronics in the midst of the pandemic. The US now remains dethroned from its top spot, while the EU and China struggle to ratify an investment deal which would give European companies more access to the Chinese market. Also read: Britain reiterates US 'concerns' and 'criticism' over WHO COVID-19 mission to China According to Eurostat, the trade volume with China touched 586 billion euros ($711 billion) in 2020. This is higher than 55 billion euros ($673 billion) for the US. The agency added that EU exports increased by 2.2 per cent. At the same time, imports from the People's Republic of China rose by 5.6 per cent. On the other hand, EU exports to the United States fell by 13.2 per cent during the same period. In addition, imports fell by 8.2 per cent.

China overtakes US, becomes European Union's biggest trading partner

Germany partially closed its borders with the Czech Republic and Austria's Tyrol on Sunday over a troubling surge in coronavirus mutations, earning a swift rebuke from the European Union.

A thousand police officers were mobilised to ensure strict border checks, a reminder of the much-criticised early days of the pandemic when EU countries hastily closed their frontiers to each other.

At the Kiefersfelden crossing in southern Bavaria, masked officers in yellow high-visibility jackets were out in sub-zero temperatures, stopping each vehicle coming from Austria.

Under the new rules, only Germans or non-German residents are allowed through.&nbsp;

Exceptions are made for essential workers in sectors such as health and transport, as well as for urgent humanitarian reasons, the German interior ministry has said. Everyone must be able to provide a recent negative coronavirus test.

Among those turned back was Austrian driver Irene, who said she would now have to make an hours-long detour.

"I only wanted to drive through Germany to go to Vienna," she told AFP. "This is a catastrophe, I have a dog in the car who is 15 years old... I don't know the way and I don't have GPS."

The restrictions are aimed at slowing the spread of more contagious variants that first emerged in Britain and South Africa, and have created new virus hotspots along the Czech border and in Austria's Tyrol region.

At the German-Czech border crossing in Bad Gottleuba, a police spokesman said the checks had caused waiting times of around one hour. Traffic is expected to be heavier from Monday, he added.

By Sunday afternoon, German police had checked more than 1,700 vehicles and denied entry to more than 500.

- 'Enough' -

The European Commission, eager to avoid a return to go-it-alone pandemic responses, has condemned Germany's border restrictions.

"The fear of the coronavirus mutations is understandable," EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told Germany's Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Sunday.

"But the truth is that the virus cannot be stopped by closed borders," she said, adding that vaccines and following hygiene precautions were "the only things that work".

"I think it's wrong to return to a Europe with closed borders like we had in March 2020," she added.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer rebuffed the criticism from Brussels.

"That's enough now," he told the top-selling Bild daily. The EU "has made enough mistakes" with its sluggish vaccine rollout, he said.

"We are fighting against the mutated virus," he said. "The EU Commission should support us... instead of putting stones in our path."

German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he supported a "border-free Europe".

"But there are times in a pandemic when you must make these decisions for everyone's safety and health," he told the Sueddeutsche newspaper.

German rail company Deutsche Bahn has suspended services to and from the affected areas.&nbsp;

At Frankfurt airport, the country's largest, federal police were checking passengers arriving from Vienna and Prague.

- 'Reassuring' -

More than two months of tough shutdowns have significantly brought down Germany's infection numbers, but Chancellor Angela Merkel's government recently decided to extend a partial lockdown until March 7 because of the risks posed by the variants.

In the Czech Republic, one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, three cantons including two on the German border have been placed under lockdown due to the prevalence of the British strain.

Within Austria, anyone leaving the mountainous region of Tyrol now needs to produce a negative test following a cluster of Covid-19 cases linked to the South African variant.

Bavarian premier Markus Soeder, visiting a checkpoint with the Czech border, said Germany could not risk squandering the progress made in the battle against the pandemic.

"For everyone not living in a hotspot it's reassuring to know that those in border regions are working hard to prevent the spread of the virus," he said.

Germany partially closed its borders with the Czech Republic and Austria's Tyrol on Sunday over a troubling surge in coronavirus mutations, earning a swift rebuke from the European Union.

Germany partially closed its borders with the Czech Republic and Austria's Tyrol on Sunday over a troubling surge in coronavirus mutations, earning a swift rebuke from the European Union. A thousand police officers were mobilised to ensure strict border checks, a reminder of the much-criticised early days of the pandemic when EU countries hastily closed their frontiers to each other. At the Kiefersfelden crossing in southern Bavaria, masked officers in yellow high-visibility jackets were out in sub-zero temperatures, stopping each vehicle coming from Austria. Under the new rules, only Germans or non-German residents are allowed through. Exceptions are made for essential workers in sectors such as health and transport, as well as for urgent humanitarian reasons, the German interior ministry has said. Everyone must be able to provide a recent negative coronavirus test. Among those turned back was Austrian driver Irene, who said she would now have to make an hours-long detour. "I only wanted to drive through Germany to go to Vienna," she told AFP. "This is a catastrophe, I have a dog in the car who is 15 years old... I don't know the way and I don't have GPS." The restrictions are aimed at slowing the spread of more contagious variants that first emerged in Britain and South Africa, and have created new virus hotspots along the Czech border and in Austria's Tyrol region. At the German-Czech border crossing in Bad Gottleuba, a police spokesman said the checks had caused waiting times of around one hour. Traffic is expected to be heavier from Monday, he added. By Sunday afternoon, German police had checked more than 1,700 vehicles and denied entry to more than 500. - 'Enough' - The European Commission, eager to avoid a return to go-it-alone pandemic responses, has condemned Germany's border restrictions. "The fear of the coronavirus mutations is understandable," EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told Germany's Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Sunday. "But the truth is that the virus cannot be stopped by closed borders," she said, adding that vaccines and following hygiene precautions were "the only things that work". "I think it's wrong to return to a Europe with closed borders like we had in March 2020," she added. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer rebuffed the criticism from Brussels. "That's enough now," he told the top-selling Bild daily. The EU "has made enough mistakes" with its sluggish vaccine rollout, he said. "We are fighting against the mutated virus," he said. "The EU Commission should support us... instead of putting stones in our path." German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he supported a "border-free Europe". "But there are times in a pandemic when you must make these decisions for everyone's safety and health," he told the Sueddeutsche newspaper. German rail company Deutsche Bahn has suspended services to and from the affected areas. At Frankfurt airport, the country's largest, federal police were checking passengers arriving from Vienna and Prague. - 'Reassuring' - More than two months of tough shutdowns have significantly brought down Germany's infection numbers, but Chancellor Angela Merkel's government recently decided to extend a partial lockdown until March 7 because of the risks posed by the variants. In the Czech Republic, one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe, three cantons including two on the German border have been placed under lockdown due to the prevalence of the British strain. Within Austria, anyone leaving the mountainous region of Tyrol now needs to produce a negative test following a cluster of Covid-19 cases linked to the South African variant. Bavarian premier Markus Soeder, visiting a checkpoint with the Czech border, said Germany could not risk squandering the progress made in the battle against the pandemic. "For everyone not living in a hotspot it's reassuring to know that those in border regions are working hard to prevent the spread of the virus," he said.

Germany partially closes borders despite EU criticism

A big blow to Russia and EU relations, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Moscow is now ready to serve ties with the European Union if the block hits Russia with painful economic sanctions.

Russia slams possible EU sanctions

The European Union on Saturday called on China to reverse its ban on the BBC World News television channel imposed in apparent retaliation for Britain's pulling of the licence of state-owned Chinese broadcaster CGTN.

The EU said in a statement that Beijing's move ''further restricted freedom of expression and access to information inside its borders," and violated both the Chinese constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The statement also said that Hong Kong's announcement that its public broadcaster would also stop carrying BBC broadcasts added to the ''erosion of the rights and freedoms that is ongoing" in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory since the imposition last year of a sweeping new national security law.

''The EU remains strongly committed to safeguarding media freedom and pluralism, as well as protecting the right to freedom of expression online and offline, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference of any kind," the statement said.

While Britain is no longer in the EU, it remains a member of the Council of Europe, which oversees a 1989 agreement linking broadcasting licenses. Britain, the US&nbsp;And foreign correspondents based in China have also expressed dismay over the BBC ban.

China's move Thursday was largely symbolic because BBC World was shown only on cable TV systems in hotels and apartment compounds for foreigners and some other businesses.

However, it comes against the backdrop of a growing conflict between Beijing and Western governments over a slew of issues ranging from human rights to trade and the COVID-19 pandemic in which Chinese criticisms over foreign media coverage have played a prominent role.

China's National Radio and Television Administration said BBC World News coverage of the country violated requirements that news reporting be true and impartial, reflecting complaints over BBC reports about the government's initial response to the virus outbreak in China.

Other complaints were over allegations of forced labour and sexual abuse in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang, home to Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups. The EU statement specifically linked the ban to BBC reporting on those topics.

It wasn't clear whether BBC reporters in China would be affected. Last year, Beijing expelled foreign reporters for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times amid disputes with the Trump administration and complaints over media criticism of the ruling Communist Party.

Britain's communications watchdog, Ofcom, revoked the license for CGTN, China's English-language satellite news channel, on February&nbsp;4, citing links to the Communist Party, among other reasons.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Ofcom acted on ''political grounds based on ideological bias.''

Losing its British license was a major blow for CGTN, which is part of a global effort by the party to promote its views and challenge Western media narratives about China, into which it has poured enormous resources. CGTN has a European operations hub in London.

The European Union on Saturday called on China to reverse its ban on the BBC World News television channel imposed in apparent retaliation for Britain's pulling of the licence of state-owned Chinese broadcaster CGTN.

The European Union on Saturday called on China to reverse its ban on the BBC World News television channel imposed in apparent retaliation for Britain's pulling of the licence of state-owned Chinese broadcaster CGTN. The EU said in a statement that Beijing's move ''further restricted freedom of expression and access to information inside its borders," and violated both the Chinese constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The statement also said that Hong Kong's announcement that its public broadcaster would also stop carrying BBC broadcasts added to the ''erosion of the rights and freedoms that is ongoing" in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory since the imposition last year of a sweeping new national security law. ''The EU remains strongly committed to safeguarding media freedom and pluralism, as well as protecting the right to freedom of expression online and offline, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference of any kind," the statement said. While Britain is no longer in the EU, it remains a member of the Council of Europe, which oversees a 1989 agreement linking broadcasting licenses. Britain, the US And foreign correspondents based in China have also expressed dismay over the BBC ban. China's move Thursday was largely symbolic because BBC World was shown only on cable TV systems in hotels and apartment compounds for foreigners and some other businesses. However, it comes against the backdrop of a growing conflict between Beijing and Western governments over a slew of issues ranging from human rights to trade and the COVID-19 pandemic in which Chinese criticisms over foreign media coverage have played a prominent role. China's National Radio and Television Administration said BBC World News coverage of the country violated requirements that news reporting be true and impartial, reflecting complaints over BBC reports about the government's initial response to the virus outbreak in China. Other complaints were over allegations of forced labour and sexual abuse in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang, home to Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups. The EU statement specifically linked the ban to BBC reporting on those topics. It wasn't clear whether BBC reporters in China would be affected. Last year, Beijing expelled foreign reporters for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times amid disputes with the Trump administration and complaints over media criticism of the ruling Communist Party. Britain's communications watchdog, Ofcom, revoked the license for CGTN, China's English-language satellite news channel, on February 4, citing links to the Communist Party, among other reasons. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Ofcom acted on ''political grounds based on ideological bias.'' Losing its British license was a major blow for CGTN, which is part of a global effort by the party to promote its views and challenge Western media narratives about China, into which it has poured enormous resources. CGTN has a European operations hub in London.

EU calls on China to reverse ban on BBC World News channel

Dutch capital Amsterdam has now displaced London as Europe's biggest share trading centre, after left European Union's single market last year through Brexit.

World Business News: Amsterdam replaces London as Europe's biggest share trading centre

The EU is planning to give Turkey more time to adhere to its commitments on tax evasion, sources said on Friday.

Turkey is accused of failing to comply with international standards on the automatic exchange of tax information.

Ties between the EU and Turkey have been fraught, especially after Ankara pushed gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean last year, infuriating Cyprus and Greece. Tensions have, however, been eased with the diplomacy of Germany.

Berlin is sensitive to keep Turkey compliant with a migration pact that keeps a tight control on the Turkish border with the EU.

According to AFP, the EU's 27 member states, to this end, will next week accept to once again delay the blacklisting of Turkey, which was already given a break a year ago. The delay, however, could come with an understanding that putting off the decision any further will no longer be tolerated, with a deadline set for later this year.

The blacklist was first drawn up in 2017 in the wake of several scandals, including the Panama Papers and LuxLeaks, which pushed Brussels into doing more to fight tax evasion by multinationals and the rich.

EU member countries cannot be on the list and blacklisted countries face only limited sanctions, consisting of freezing them out of European aid or development funding.&nbsp;

The list currently holds: Anguilla, American Samoa, Barbados, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.

The deadline for Turkey was still under negotiation among the 27 member states on Friday with hopes that it would not have to be argued over by EU finance ministers at talks next week.

(with inputs from AFP)

The EU is planning to give Turkey more time to adhere to its commitments on tax evasion, sources said on Friday. Turkey is accused of failing to comply with international standards on the automatic exchange of tax information.

The EU is planning to give Turkey more time to adhere to its commitments on tax evasion, sources said on Friday. Turkey is accused of failing to comply with international standards on the automatic exchange of tax information. Ties between the EU and Turkey have been fraught, especially after Ankara pushed gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean last year, infuriating Cyprus and Greece. Tensions have, however, been eased with the diplomacy of Germany. Berlin is sensitive to keep Turkey compliant with a migration pact that keeps a tight control on the Turkish border with the EU. According to AFP, the EU's 27 member states, to this end, will next week accept to once again delay the blacklisting of Turkey, which was already given a break a year ago. The delay, however, could come with an understanding that putting off the decision any further will no longer be tolerated, with a deadline set for later this year. The blacklist was first drawn up in 2017 in the wake of several scandals, including the Panama Papers and LuxLeaks, which pushed Brussels into doing more to fight tax evasion by multinationals and the rich. EU member countries cannot be on the list and blacklisted countries face only limited sanctions, consisting of freezing them out of European aid or development funding. The list currently holds: Anguilla, American Samoa, Barbados, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu. The deadline for Turkey was still under negotiation among the 27 member states on Friday with hopes that it would not have to be argued over by EU finance ministers at talks next week. (with inputs from AFP)

EU to spare Turkey from tax blacklist, sources say

Russia is all prepared to break all its ties with the European Union says Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. 'We don't want to isolate ourselves from global life, but we have to be ready for that', he added further.

'Russia ready to end ties with EU if sanctions imposed', says Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Russia has said it would retaliate in case the European Union imposes new sanctions on Moscow over the sentence of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

In January, tens of thousands of Russians rallied for two consecutive weekends against President Vladimir Putin's 20-year rule and demanded the release of Navalny, who was sentenced to nearly three years in prison last week.&nbsp;

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell earlier this week said he would propose the bloc impose new sanctions on Russia, as he blasted the imprisonment of Navalny and the crackdown.

Borrell made the comments during an address to the European Parliament after a chastening visit to Russia last week, during which Moscow announced the shock expulsion of three European diplomats.

Moscow had, last week, announced the expulsion of diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden during the rare meeting in Moscow between Borrell and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-uk-and-us-to-speak-with-navalny-after-expulsion-of-diplomats-in-russia-362178">Also read |&nbsp;EU, UK and US to speak with Navalny after expulsion of diplomats in Russia</a>

To this end, Navalny's supporters called on the EU to sanction the moneymen they accuse of protecting Putin's wealth and financing his regime.

"I would like to warn our EU partners against taking rash steps," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters Thursday.

Any new sanctions, she said, "will inevitably be followed by a proportionate response," Zakharova added.

The EU's ties with Russia have been tense since Moscow seized the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and fuelled the war in eastern Ukraine.

Relations worsened further after Navalny, Putin's most prominent domestic opponent, was sentenced to prison following his return to Russia last month from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack.&nbsp;He was jailed over parole allegations he denied in a criminal case he said was trumped up to stymie his political ambitions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-in-six-russians-more-negative-on-putin-after-navalny-palace-video-poll-says-362263">Also read |&nbsp;One in six Russians more negative on Putin after Navalny palace video, poll says</a>

Navalny's jailing sparked widespread protests across Russia that saw at least 10,000 people detained.&nbsp;

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss their next moves on Russia at a meeting on February 22.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

Russia has said it would retaliate in case the European Union imposes new sanctions on Moscow over the sentence of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. In January, tens of thousands of Russians rallied for two consecutive weekends against President Vladimir Putin's 20-year rule and demanded the release of Navalny, who was sentenced to nearly three years in prison last week.

Russia has said it would retaliate in case the European Union imposes new sanctions on Moscow over the sentence of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. In January, tens of thousands of Russians rallied for two consecutive weekends against President Vladimir Putin's 20-year rule and demanded the release of Navalny, who was sentenced to nearly three years in prison last week. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell earlier this week said he would propose the bloc impose new sanctions on Russia, as he blasted the imprisonment of Navalny and the crackdown. Borrell made the comments during an address to the European Parliament after a chastening visit to Russia last week, during which Moscow announced the shock expulsion of three European diplomats. Moscow had, last week, announced the expulsion of diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden during the rare meeting in Moscow between Borrell and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Also read | EU, UK and US to speak with Navalny after expulsion of diplomats in Russia To this end, Navalny's supporters called on the EU to sanction the moneymen they accuse of protecting Putin's wealth and financing his regime. "I would like to warn our EU partners against taking rash steps," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters Thursday. Any new sanctions, she said, "will inevitably be followed by a proportionate response," Zakharova added. The EU's ties with Russia have been tense since Moscow seized the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and fuelled the war in eastern Ukraine. Relations worsened further after Navalny, Putin's most prominent domestic opponent, was sentenced to prison following his return to Russia last month from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack. He was jailed over parole allegations he denied in a criminal case he said was trumped up to stymie his political ambitions. Also read | One in six Russians more negative on Putin after Navalny palace video, poll says Navalny's jailing sparked widespread protests across Russia that saw at least 10,000 people detained. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss their next moves on Russia at a meeting on February 22. (with inputs from agencies)

Russia warns will retaliate if EU imposes new sanctions over Navalny

The European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said that his visit to Moscow last week showed that Russia is heading down an authoritarian route, and warned that it could face new sanctions over the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell sends a stern warning to Russia

Public opinion is mixed on how well Western governments have handled the coronavirus pandemic.

Your Story: France and other EU nations fear loss of public trust

Aides of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said they discussed possible sanctions against prominent members of President Vladimir Putin's circle including business tycoons to ramp up pressure on Russia.

Leonid Volkov, the head of Navalny's regional network and another associate Vladimir Ashurkov on Monday discussed via video link with EU states the bloc's "next steps" on Russia.

The video call was hosted by Poland and included envoys from the United States, Canada, Britain and Ukraine, Poland's mission in the EU said on Twitter.

Volkov wrote on the Telegram messenger late Monday that he and Ashurkov discussed "personal sanctions" against billionaires Roman Abramovich and Alisher Usmanov.&nbsp;

He said they also named the head of Russian state bank VTB Andrey Kostin and television executive Konstantin Ernst, among others.

Volkov did not say whether the meeting resulted in concrete agreements, but said Navalny's team will promote personal sanctions against the Putin circle "in the coming weeks and months."

The video call took place at a time of heightened tensions between the European Union and Russia, exacerbated by the arrest and jailing of Navalny.

Moscow on Friday expelled three European diplomats during the visit of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to Russia for allegedly taking part in protests in support of Navalny.

On Monday Germany, Sweden and Poland each ordered the removal of a Russian diplomat in retaliation.

EU foreign ministers have said they will debate punitive measures and possible sanctions against the Kremlin when they meet next on February 22.&nbsp;

Aides of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said they discussed possible sanctions against prominent members of President Vladimir Putin's circle including business tycoons to ramp up pressure on Russia.

Aides of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said they discussed possible sanctions against prominent members of President Vladimir Putin's circle including business tycoons to ramp up pressure on Russia. Leonid Volkov, the head of Navalny's regional network and another associate Vladimir Ashurkov on Monday discussed via video link with EU states the bloc's "next steps" on Russia. The video call was hosted by Poland and included envoys from the United States, Canada, Britain and Ukraine, Poland's mission in the EU said on Twitter. Volkov wrote on the Telegram messenger late Monday that he and Ashurkov discussed "personal sanctions" against billionaires Roman Abramovich and Alisher Usmanov. He said they also named the head of Russian state bank VTB Andrey Kostin and television executive Konstantin Ernst, among others. Volkov did not say whether the meeting resulted in concrete agreements, but said Navalny's team will promote personal sanctions against the Putin circle "in the coming weeks and months." The video call took place at a time of heightened tensions between the European Union and Russia, exacerbated by the arrest and jailing of Navalny. Moscow on Friday expelled three European diplomats during the visit of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to Russia for allegedly taking part in protests in support of Navalny. On Monday Germany, Sweden and Poland each ordered the removal of a Russian diplomat in retaliation. EU foreign ministers have said they will debate punitive measures and possible sanctions against the Kremlin when they meet next on February 22.

Navalny aides say discussed new Russia sanctions with EU

The European Commission’s Vice President for the economy Valdis Dombrovskis said that Europe’s economy is likely to rally in the second quarter as an acceleration in Coronavirus vaccine roll-out allows governments to gradually lift lockdown restrictions.

World Business Watch: EU economy to rally in second-quarter as vaccine roll-out accelerates

The European Union is planning to hold a video call with allies of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday. The interaction comes close on the heels of Russia expelling diplomats from EU states last week.&nbsp;

The EU and Navalny's allies will be joined by envoys from Britain, the United States, Canada and Ukraine.&nbsp;

The meeting at 1200 GMT is likely to be the first forum for the West to consider any possible joint response to Navalny's jailing last week and Friday's expulsions, which took place while the EU's top diplomat was visiting Moscow.

Russia on Friday announced the expulsion of diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden during the rare meeting in Moscow between EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a blog late on Sunday that he had learned of the expulsion of the diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden via social media during his talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Friday. He added the expulsions by Moscow, his fruitless appeals to halt them, and a denial of his request to visit Navalny had cemented his view that "Europe and Russia are drifting apart".

"Russia is progressively disconnecting itself from Europe and looking at democratic values as an existential threat," he wrote, adding, "It will be for member states to decide the next steps, and yes, these could include sanctions."

Last week, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Romania and the Czech Republic pushed for fresh sanctions on Russia, with Germany, Italy and France arguing to give Moscow more time to reconsider its jailing of Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic.

On February 2, Navalny was sentenced for almost three years by a court which ruled he had broken the terms of a suspended 3-1/2 year prison sentence in an embezzlement case he says was trumped up. Navalny's allies have published a list of Russian business and political figures whom they want the West to sanction. EU leaders, who have condemned Navalny's jailing, are due to discuss their response at a summit in March.

Since the Kremlin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014, Russia is under Western economic sanctions, with NATO accusing Moscow of seeking to undermine the West through disinformation and covert operations.

However, the West still needs Russia as an energy supplier and as a regional power in diplomacy, such as upholding the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, and tackling climate change.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has defended&nbsp;Russia's shock expulsion of EU diplomats during the high-profile visit of the European Union's top diplomat but insisted it remained interested in reviving relations with Brussels.

The declaration of the three foreign diplomats as personae non gratae was a "consequence of the actions of some diplomatic missions in Moscow against the backdrop of illegal riots," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday.&nbsp;

He added that Russia "has clearly demonstrated it does not intend to tolerate this".&nbsp;

In January, tens of thousands of Russians rallied for two consecutive weekends against President Vladimir Putin's 20-year rule and demanded the release of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, his most prominent critic who was sentenced to nearly three years in prison last week.&nbsp;

Western leaders have slammed the expulsions, further straining ties that have worsened after Navalny was sentenced to two years and eight months in a penal colony for violating parole conditions while recovering from a poisoning attack in Germany.&nbsp;

Borrell is expected to meet with foreign ministers from the 27 EU states on February 22 to discuss fresh sanctions against Moscow that would require an unanimous vote among the EU members.

&nbsp;

The European Union is planning to hold a video call with allies of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday. The interaction comes close on the heels of Russia expelling diplomats from EU states last week.

The European Union is planning to hold a video call with allies of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday. The interaction comes close on the heels of Russia expelling diplomats from EU states last week. The EU and Navalny's allies will be joined by envoys from Britain, the United States, Canada and Ukraine. The meeting at 1200 GMT is likely to be the first forum for the West to consider any possible joint response to Navalny's jailing last week and Friday's expulsions, which took place while the EU's top diplomat was visiting Moscow. Russia on Friday announced the expulsion of diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden during the rare meeting in Moscow between EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a blog late on Sunday that he had learned of the expulsion of the diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden via social media during his talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Friday. He added the expulsions by Moscow, his fruitless appeals to halt them, and a denial of his request to visit Navalny had cemented his view that "Europe and Russia are drifting apart". "Russia is progressively disconnecting itself from Europe and looking at democratic values as an existential threat," he wrote, adding, "It will be for member states to decide the next steps, and yes, these could include sanctions." Last week, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Romania and the Czech Republic pushed for fresh sanctions on Russia, with Germany, Italy and France arguing to give Moscow more time to reconsider its jailing of Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic. On February 2, Navalny was sentenced for almost three years by a court which ruled he had broken the terms of a suspended 3-1/2 year prison sentence in an embezzlement case he says was trumped up. Navalny's allies have published a list of Russian business and political figures whom they want the West to sanction. EU leaders, who have condemned Navalny's jailing, are due to discuss their response at a summit in March. Since the Kremlin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014, Russia is under Western economic sanctions, with NATO accusing Moscow of seeking to undermine the West through disinformation and covert operations. However, the West still needs Russia as an energy supplier and as a regional power in diplomacy, such as upholding the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, and tackling climate change. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has defended Russia's shock expulsion of EU diplomats during the high-profile visit of the European Union's top diplomat but insisted it remained interested in reviving relations with Brussels. The declaration of the three foreign diplomats as personae non gratae was a "consequence of the actions of some diplomatic missions in Moscow against the backdrop of illegal riots," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday. He added that Russia "has clearly demonstrated it does not intend to tolerate this". In January, tens of thousands of Russians rallied for two consecutive weekends against President Vladimir Putin's 20-year rule and demanded the release of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, his most prominent critic who was sentenced to nearly three years in prison last week. Western leaders have slammed the expulsions, further straining ties that have worsened after Navalny was sentenced to two years and eight months in a penal colony for violating parole conditions while recovering from a poisoning attack in Germany. Borrell is expected to meet with foreign ministers from the 27 EU states on February 22 to discuss fresh sanctions against Moscow that would require an unanimous vote among the EU members.

EU, UK and US to speak with Navalny after expulsion of diplomats in Russia

Germans say that they are ready to receive Russian's Sputnik V as the European Union is facing falt for slow inoculation. The Berlin residents have said that they will take the Russian jab as they have to accept whatever has been offered. Russian Scientists have given Sputnik V the green light saying that it's 92% effective.

Germans demand Russian vaccine amid slow rollout

Russian Opposition leader Alexy Navalny's arrest has gathered criticism from around the World. On his trip to Moscow EU's top diplomat, Josep Borell said that Russia and EU's ties are all-time low after Alexy Navalny's arrest.

World condemns Russian opposition leader Alexy Navalny's arrest

Russia has expelled diplomats from Poland, Germany and Sweden for participating in unsanctioned demonstrations last month in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that an unspecified number of diplomats from the three EU countries took part in "illegal demonstrations" on January 23 and had been declared persona non grata.

"They were ordered to leave Russia in the near future," the ministry said, adding that Moscow expects diplomats from the countries to "strictly follow the norms of international law" in the future.

To this end,&nbsp;European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell&nbsp;condemned&nbsp;the expulsion.

"During the meeting with FM Lavrov, HRVP Borrell learned that three European diplomats are going to be expelled from Russia," EU spokesman Peter Stano said, referring to Borrell's position as High Representative of the European Union.

"The HRVP strongly condemned this decision and rejected the allegations that they conducted activities incompatible with their status as foreign diplomats. The decision should be reconsidered."

The move came hours after&nbsp;Borrell met Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow and described the bloc's ties with Russia as at a "low point" over Navalny's jailing.

Russian police have arrested more than 10,000 people at mass demonstrations across the country where protesters denounced Kremlin rule and demanded the authorities release Navalny.

The 44-year-old opposition campaigner was arrested on his arrival in Moscow last month from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack that he blames on Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

In Moscow for talk, Borrell repeated European calls for Navalny's release and an investigation into his poisoning last year.&nbsp;

"Our relationship is indeed in a difficult moment," Borrell told Lavrov, adding that EU-Russia ties are "under severe strain and the Navalny case is a low point."

The West has fiercely condemned a Russian court's decision this week to jail the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner for nearly three years, and a crackdown on pro-Navalny protesters that has seen more than 10,000 people arrested in recent weeks.

But Borrell said there were no immediate plans for new European sanctions and both he and Lavrov stressed that the two sides would continue to work together on issues including the coronavirus pandemic.

Borrell's visit was the first to Russia by a senior EU envoy since 2017, following years of deteriorating relations sparked by Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

However, despite mounting tensions centred around Navalny, Lavrov and Borrell said they wanted Russia and the EU to find areas of common ground.

The Kremlin has, in turn, accused the West of interfering in its affairs and on Friday also lashed out against what it called "aggressive and unconstructive rhetoric" from the United States.

President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States will no longer be "rolling over in the face of Russia's aggressive actions" and his officials said they would take action against Moscow over Navalny and for other "malign" behaviour.

(with inputs from AFP)

Russia has expelled diplomats from Poland, Germany and Sweden for participating in unsanctioned demonstrations last month in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Russia has expelled diplomats from Poland, Germany and Sweden for participating in unsanctioned demonstrations last month in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that an unspecified number of diplomats from the three EU countries took part in "illegal demonstrations" on January 23 and had been declared persona non grata. "They were ordered to leave Russia in the near future," the ministry said, adding that Moscow expects diplomats from the countries to "strictly follow the norms of international law" in the future. To this end, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the expulsion. "During the meeting with FM Lavrov, HRVP Borrell learned that three European diplomats are going to be expelled from Russia," EU spokesman Peter Stano said, referring to Borrell's position as High Representative of the European Union. "The HRVP strongly condemned this decision and rejected the allegations that they conducted activities incompatible with their status as foreign diplomats. The decision should be reconsidered." The move came hours after Borrell met Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow and described the bloc's ties with Russia as at a "low point" over Navalny's jailing. Russian police have arrested more than 10,000 people at mass demonstrations across the country where protesters denounced Kremlin rule and demanded the authorities release Navalny. The 44-year-old opposition campaigner was arrested on his arrival in Moscow last month from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack that he blames on Russian leader Vladimir Putin. In Moscow for talk, Borrell repeated European calls for Navalny's release and an investigation into his poisoning last year. "Our relationship is indeed in a difficult moment," Borrell told Lavrov, adding that EU-Russia ties are "under severe strain and the Navalny case is a low point." The West has fiercely condemned a Russian court's decision this week to jail the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner for nearly three years, and a crackdown on pro-Navalny protesters that has seen more than 10,000 people arrested in recent weeks. But Borrell said there were no immediate plans for new European sanctions and both he and Lavrov stressed that the two sides would continue to work together on issues including the coronavirus pandemic. Borrell's visit was the first to Russia by a senior EU envoy since 2017, following years of deteriorating relations sparked by Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. However, despite mounting tensions centred around Navalny, Lavrov and Borrell said they wanted Russia and the EU to find areas of common ground. The Kremlin has, in turn, accused the West of interfering in its affairs and on Friday also lashed out against what it called "aggressive and unconstructive rhetoric" from the United States. President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States will no longer be "rolling over in the face of Russia's aggressive actions" and his officials said they would take action against Moscow over Navalny and for other "malign" behaviour. (with inputs from AFP)

Russia expels diplomats from European nations over Navalny protests

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is set to fly to Moscow amid jailing of Alexei Navalny and crackdown against protests. This is the first visit of a top EU envoy to Russia. Although the likely aim of the visit is to put pressure on Moscow over Alexei Navalny, some European capitals worried that Borrell's visit may signal business as usual with Moscow.

But Borrell insists he will deliver "clear messages" to the Kremlin despite it blanking Western calls to release President Vladimir Putin's most prominent domestic opponent Navalny, who was on Tuesday given a jail term of almost three years.

"It is when things are not going well that you must engage," the former Spanish foreign minister said on Monday.

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Russia and EU have had strained relations ever since Russia captured Crimea and fuelled was in Ukraine in 2014.&nbsp;

Borrell is eager to sound out his veteran counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the chances of cooperation on issues including enlisting Russia's help in reviving the Iran nuclear deal and tackling climate change.&nbsp;

However, the issue of Navalny and subsequent protests looms large on the visit.

Moscow has already dismissed linking the meet with Navalny as 'nonsense'

"We hope that such nonsense as linking the prospects of Russia-EU relations with the resident of a detention centre will not happen," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-defends-crackdown-on-navalny-supporters-361095">Kremlin defends crackdown on Navalny supporters</a>

Moscow stands "ready to do everything" to develop ties with Brussels, but the Kremlin is "not ready to listen to advice" on the issue of Navalny, he said.&nbsp;

The authorities have poured cold water on attempts to set up a meeting with Putin's nemesis and Borrell will settle for talks with civil society representatives. &nbsp;

Back in Europe calls are growing from some nations for the EU to bulk up on sanctions it slapped on six Russian officials in October over the nerve agent poisoning that left Navalny fighting for his life in Germany.

EU foreign ministers last week agreed they would revisit the issue if he was not released.&nbsp;

"After this ruling, there will now also be talks among EU partners. Further sanctions cannot be ruled out," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert.

An EU statement said foreign ministers would discuss "possible further action" at a meeting on February 22.

(With AFP inputs)

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is set to fly to Moscow amid jailing of Alexei Navalny and crackdown against protests. This is the first visit of a top EU envoy to Russia.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is set to fly to Moscow amid jailing of Alexei Navalny and crackdown against protests. This is the first visit of a top EU envoy to Russia. Although the likely aim of the visit is to put pressure on Moscow over Alexei Navalny, some European capitals worried that Borrell's visit may signal business as usual with Moscow. But Borrell insists he will deliver "clear messages" to the Kremlin despite it blanking Western calls to release President Vladimir Putin's most prominent domestic opponent Navalny, who was on Tuesday given a jail term of almost three years. "It is when things are not going well that you must engage," the former Spanish foreign minister said on Monday. × Russia and EU have had strained relations ever since Russia captured Crimea and fuelled was in Ukraine in 2014. Borrell is eager to sound out his veteran counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the chances of cooperation on issues including enlisting Russia's help in reviving the Iran nuclear deal and tackling climate change. However, the issue of Navalny and subsequent protests looms large on the visit. Moscow has already dismissed linking the meet with Navalny as 'nonsense' "We hope that such nonsense as linking the prospects of Russia-EU relations with the resident of a detention centre will not happen," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Also Read | Kremlin defends crackdown on Navalny supporters Moscow stands "ready to do everything" to develop ties with Brussels, but the Kremlin is "not ready to listen to advice" on the issue of Navalny, he said. The authorities have poured cold water on attempts to set up a meeting with Putin's nemesis and Borrell will settle for talks with civil society representatives. Back in Europe calls are growing from some nations for the EU to bulk up on sanctions it slapped on six Russian officials in October over the nerve agent poisoning that left Navalny fighting for his life in Germany. EU foreign ministers last week agreed they would revisit the issue if he was not released. "After this ruling, there will now also be talks among EU partners. Further sanctions cannot be ruled out," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert. An EU statement said foreign ministers would discuss "possible further action" at a meeting on February 22. (With AFP inputs)

EU sends top envoy to Russia amid Alexei Navalny controversy

Half of Afghans need humanitarian aid but rising violence is preventing deliveries, a senior European Union humanitarian official said on Wednesday (February 3), reiterating calls for a ceasefire between the Afghan government and the insurgent Taliban.

Half of Afghans need humanitarian aid as violence rises - EU Commissioner

The European Union's vaccination programme is becoming a disaster, with the bloc having inoculated around 2 per cent of its population. EU's best-performing country - Denmark has managed to administer 4.47 doses per 100 people. Israel, for example, has vaccinated - 54.72 people for every hundred.

So, what's going on in Europe?

Europe's problems range from slow vaccine supply to slow approvals. The bloc is also caught in a scuffle with vaccine-maker AstraZeneca - after it said it won't be able to deliver the promised doses on time. AstraZeneca has decided to supply an additional 9 million doses of coronavirus drugs to the EU by March, taking the total to 40 million.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beware-of-fake-negative-coronavirus-reports-europol-warns-travellers-360721" hreflang="en">Beware of fake negative coronavirus reports: Europol warns travellers</a>

The total population of the European Union is 446 million. Each person needs 2 doses, which roughly translates into 892 million doses. AstraZeneca is not the only company that EU has ordered coronavirus drugs from. Procurement deals have been signed with- 6 companies, with total number of doses at 2.3 billion. Despite these figures, the EU Has been able to inoculate just 2 per cent of its population.

What happened to the rest of their orders? &nbsp;

Deliveries are slow as both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are facing problems in their Belgium plant. Approvals are also slow. The EU Has so far approved the Pfizer, the Moderna and the AstraZeneca vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine has only been approved for those above 18. Hungary has separately approved China's Sinopharm vaccine.

"In addition to Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik and AstraZeneca, we can now count on Sinopharm as well", Cecilia Muller, Hungary's chief medical officer said.

Critics say that Europe ordered too little, too late, and it is now trying to make up for the mess by tightening export rules.

''Well, I think the European Union recognised now that they made a mistake", Michael Gove, UK minister for the cabinet office said. "This is an incredibly hostile and aggressive act by the European Union bloc, they are trying to stop the supply of a vaccine designed to save lives into the United Kingdom", said Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland's First Minister.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-finds-south-african-coronavirus-variant-among-11-people-with-no-travel-history-360720" hreflang="en">UK finds South African coronavirus variant among 11 people with no travel history</a>

For Britain, which recently exited the EU, the vaccination botch-up translates into Brexit endorsement. It has numbers to show that the EU is doing a shoddy job. For every 100 people in the UK, 13.95 have been administered with at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. In Italy - the number dips to 3.24. In France, it's 2.25. In Spain, it's 3.15, and in Germany, it's 2.77. In Greece, it's 2.58, followed by Belgium and Norway at 2.5 and 2.15 respectively.

Europe's best-performing country is Denmark, where 4.47 people for every 100 have received a vaccine dose.

In Israel, this number is 54.72, and in the UAE it's 33.71.

"I think we Europeans should also be more efficient on this matter [COVID-19 vaccines]", French President Emmanuel Macron said.

European Union wants to vaccinate at least 80 per cent of those above the age of 80 by March. It also wants to vaccinate 80 per cent of health workers at the same time. The goal is to immunise 70 per cent of Europe's adult population by summer.

The European Union's vaccination programme is becoming a disaster, with the bloc having inoculated around 2 per cent of its population. EU's best-performing country - Denmark has managed to administer 4.

The European Union's vaccination programme is becoming a disaster, with the bloc having inoculated around 2 per cent of its population. EU's best-performing country - Denmark has managed to administer 4.47 doses per 100 people. Israel, for example, has vaccinated - 54.72 people for every hundred. So, what's going on in Europe? Europe's problems range from slow vaccine supply to slow approvals. The bloc is also caught in a scuffle with vaccine-maker AstraZeneca - after it said it won't be able to deliver the promised doses on time. AstraZeneca has decided to supply an additional 9 million doses of coronavirus drugs to the EU by March, taking the total to 40 million. Also read: Beware of fake negative coronavirus reports: Europol warns travellers The total population of the European Union is 446 million. Each person needs 2 doses, which roughly translates into 892 million doses. AstraZeneca is not the only company that EU has ordered coronavirus drugs from. Procurement deals have been signed with- 6 companies, with total number of doses at 2.3 billion. Despite these figures, the EU Has been able to inoculate just 2 per cent of its population. What happened to the rest of their orders? Deliveries are slow as both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are facing problems in their Belgium plant. Approvals are also slow. The EU Has so far approved the Pfizer, the Moderna and the AstraZeneca vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine has only been approved for those above 18. Hungary has separately approved China's Sinopharm vaccine. "In addition to Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik and AstraZeneca, we can now count on Sinopharm as well", Cecilia Muller, Hungary's chief medical officer said. Critics say that Europe ordered too little, too late, and it is now trying to make up for the mess by tightening export rules. ''Well, I think the European Union recognised now that they made a mistake", Michael Gove, UK minister for the cabinet office said. "This is an incredibly hostile and aggressive act by the European Union bloc, they are trying to stop the supply of a vaccine designed to save lives into the United Kingdom", said Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland's First Minister. Also read: UK finds South African coronavirus variant among 11 people with no travel history For Britain, which recently exited the EU, the vaccination botch-up translates into Brexit endorsement. It has numbers to show that the EU is doing a shoddy job. For every 100 people in the UK, 13.95 have been administered with at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. In Italy - the number dips to 3.24. In France, it's 2.25. In Spain, it's 3.15, and in Germany, it's 2.77. In Greece, it's 2.58, followed by Belgium and Norway at 2.5 and 2.15 respectively. Europe's best-performing country is Denmark, where 4.47 people for every 100 have received a vaccine dose. In Israel, this number is 54.72, and in the UAE it's 33.71. "I think we Europeans should also be more efficient on this matter [COVID-19 vaccines]", French President Emmanuel Macron said. European Union wants to vaccinate at least 80 per cent of those above the age of 80 by March. It also wants to vaccinate 80 per cent of health workers at the same time. The goal is to immunise 70 per cent of Europe's adult population by summer.

EU has vaccinated 2% of its population. How does it compare to rest of the world?

The police agency of the European Union (EU) has warned travellers against the organised crime gangs trying to sell fake coronavirus vaccines and COVID-negative certificates.

Europol issued a warning claiming there are several organised crime gangs that are trying to sell fake certificates which read 'negative' for coronavirus.

"Intelligence suggests that in the UK, fraudsters were caught selling bogus Covid-19 test documents for 100 pounds, faking the name of a genuine laboratory on the false certificates," the agency said.

This warning has come after police departments have busted several suspects who have tried selling fake COVID-19 negative certificates at airports, especially in the United Kingdom and France.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-busts-worlds-largest-darknet-site-trading-in-drugs-forgeries-356302">Germany busts ‘world’s largest’ darknet site trading in drugs, forgeries</a>

These groups were caught operating online through a few selected mobile messaging apps and chat groups in Spain and the Netherlands.

"As long as travel restrictions remain in place due to the pandemic, it is very likely that criminals will seize the opportunity of producing and selling fake Covid-19 test certificates," Europol said.

Printing out these certificates is easier now due to the advancement of technology and high-quality printers which can be procured at an affordable rate.&nbsp;

"Given the widespread technological means available in the form of high-quality printers and different software, fraudsters are able to produce high-quality counterfeit, forged or fake documents," the agency said.

A fraudster was caught selling forged papers for 40 euros in Spain through online portals and a few scammers were arrested doing the same through mobile messaging apps in the Netherlands.

The police agency of the European Union (EU) has warned travellers against the organised crime gangs trying to sell fake coronavirus vaccines and COVID-negative certificates.

The police agency of the European Union (EU) has warned travellers against the organised crime gangs trying to sell fake coronavirus vaccines and COVID-negative certificates. Europol issued a warning claiming there are several organised crime gangs that are trying to sell fake certificates which read 'negative' for coronavirus. "Intelligence suggests that in the UK, fraudsters were caught selling bogus Covid-19 test documents for 100 pounds, faking the name of a genuine laboratory on the false certificates," the agency said. This warning has come after police departments have busted several suspects who have tried selling fake COVID-19 negative certificates at airports, especially in the United Kingdom and France. Also read| Germany busts ‘world’s largest’ darknet site trading in drugs, forgeries These groups were caught operating online through a few selected mobile messaging apps and chat groups in Spain and the Netherlands. "As long as travel restrictions remain in place due to the pandemic, it is very likely that criminals will seize the opportunity of producing and selling fake Covid-19 test certificates," Europol said. Printing out these certificates is easier now due to the advancement of technology and high-quality printers which can be procured at an affordable rate. "Given the widespread technological means available in the form of high-quality printers and different software, fraudsters are able to produce high-quality counterfeit, forged or fake documents," the agency said. A fraudster was caught selling forged papers for 40 euros in Spain through online portals and a few scammers were arrested doing the same through mobile messaging apps in the Netherlands.

Beware of fake negative coronavirus reports: Europol warns travellers

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