Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU will present an initiative for the establishment of a European Centre of Clinical Excellence for pharmaceuticals on 26 February during the Informal Meeting of EU Health Ministers in Nicosia.
According to a Presidency announcement, the initiative aims to enhance transparency, improve the quality of decision-making processes and strengthen the cohesion of European health systems, while discussion and an exchange of views will be facilitated by a relevant paper prepared by the Presidency.
The Informal Meeting of Health Ministers will take place on Wednesday, 25 February and Thursday, 26 February as part of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU, and is expected to bring together Health Ministers from the EU and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, as well as EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi, the WHO Regional Director for Europe and the Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency.
The meeting, it is noted, provides an opportunity for a substantive exchange of views on contemporary challenges in the health sector and on strengthening the common European approach, with the shared goal of ensuring sustainable access to medicines, medical technologies and high-quality care for European citizens, even in times of crisis.
The second part of the meeting will focus on the EU’s role and leadership in mental health and inclusiveness, with particular emphasis on young people, based on the conclusions of the High-Level Conference on Mental Health and Inclusiveness held in Nicosia on 27 January.
The announcement adds that the meeting will conclude with a working lunch on strengthening the effective implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), with discussions expected to highlight the tool’s importance for interconnecting health systems and to identify areas requiring further support, such as the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, interoperability challenges and the transition towards a truly integrated European Health Union.
On the afternoon of 25 February, Ministers and key representatives from the EU and WHO will take part in a tour of Nicosia’s old town, followed by an official dinner.
On Thursday, 26 February, the arrivals of heads of delegations at the Conference Centre are scheduled between 8.30am and 9am, the meeting’s proceedings will begin at 9am, while at 3.30pm a press conference will be held by Minister of Health Neophytos Charalambides and Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.
(Source: CNA)
