Highlights - Exchange of views with Commissioner Gentiloni on the EU response to COVID-19 outbreak - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

The Commissioner assured MEPs of the preservation of the initial budget allocation of the two customs proposals of the MFF, and called for continuous support of the EP in the upcoming budget negotiation. As concerns the Recovery Fund, the Commissioner ensured that it would not imply debt for the Member States but for the Commission, and praised the FR-DE recent proposal for that fund. The exchange of views allowed members to ask questions to the Commissioner related to several topics, such as: the impact of the crisis on the economy and the Commission's response to it, the preservation of a strong internal market (including European value chains), how to ensure a strong commitment to a green recovery and continuous digitalisation, the issue of gender inequality in unemployment and social housing, and the issue of ensuring liquidity for European companies.