Dimitris Tsiodras emphasizes the need to maintain an independent European Authority for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA) in his question to the European Commission.

He specifically asks the Commission whether reports regarding the possible merger of HERA with the Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations are true and the potential impact of such a merger on the EU’s ability to respond to public health emergencies.

The MEP and spokesperson for the New Democracy European Parliamentary Group notes that “so far, 11 member states, including Greece, have expressed strong concerns about this potential merger, warning of the risk of weakening the EU’s ability to respond adequately to public health emergencies.”

He adds that a recent report by the European Court of Auditors notes that “the EU cannot yet be considered fully prepared to handle serious cross-border threats and public health emergencies, while also emphasizing the importance of coordinated action.”

Tsiodras concludes by asking the Commission whether it has assessed the impact of this merger on financial support for actions aimed at strengthening the EU’s health security framework and how it intends to ensure that adequate coordination mechanisms are in place to help the EU respond quickly and effectively to major future public health emergencies.

Here is the text of the question:

Subject: Is there really a plan to merge the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)?

The European Court of Auditors’ report 12/2024 on the assessment of the EU’s preparedness and policies for handling the COVID-19 pandemic shows that the EU cannot yet be considered fully prepared to manage serious cross-border threats and public health emergencies, stressing the importance of coordinated action.

However, in recent days, there have been increasing reports about the potential merger of the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority with the Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission.

So far, 11 member states, including Greece, have expressed strong concerns about this potential merger, warning of the risk of weakening the EU’s ability to respond adequately to public health emergencies.

In light of the above, the Commission is asked:

1. Does it indeed intend to proceed with the implementation of the aforementioned merger plan?
2. If so, what will be the impact on the provision of financial support for actions aimed at strengthening the EU’s health security framework?
3. How does it plan to ensure that adequate coordination mechanisms are in place to help the EU respond quickly and effectively to major future public health emergencies?