Germany's EU presidency to focus on "immediate handling" of COVID-19

File photo taken on March 11, 2020 shows German Chancellor Angela Merkel attending a press conference of COVID-19 situation in Germany in Berlin, capital of Germany. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

"The coronavirus had to be contained, the European economy rebuilt and social cohesion in Europe strengthened," the government announced after approving the agenda for the presidency.

BERLIN, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Germany will focus on the "immediate handling" of the COVID-19 pandemic during its presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) starting July, the government said Wednesday.

"The coronavirus had to be contained, the European economy rebuilt and social cohesion in Europe strengthened," the government announced after approving the agenda for the presidency.

Last week, Chancellor Angela Merkel had presented a basic outline of the German agenda in a speech in the parliament. Merkel stressed that "no country can weather the crisis alone, in isolation."

A man wearing a face mask is seen in front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, May 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Germany's COVID-19 crisis plan included a massive economic recovery fund for the EU. In mid-May, France and Germany presented a joint initiative asking the European Commission to borrow 500 billion euros (565 U.S. billion dollars) from the financial market, all of which would then be distributed as grants to member states.

The EU executive's proposal echoed that initiative and added another 250 billion euros of further borrowing, which is intended to be loans to member states.

According to the German government, Merkel was working to ensure that EU member states would "reach an agreement as soon as possible" both on the recovery fund and a multiannual financial framework.

People walk past the European Commission headquarters building in Brussels, Belgium, May 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Another focus of the six-month German presidency of the Council would be the conclusion of negotiations on Britain's withdrawal from the EU, as well as "major transformation processes" such as climate change or digitization.

"Together. Making Europe strong again" is the motto of the German presidency. Merkel said that she would work towards this goal "with all her power and passion."

"Europe needs us, just as we need Europe," stressed Merkel. Europe was not only a historical legacy, but "a project that will lead us into the future." (1 euro = 1.13 U.S. dollars)