Solidarity. A word upon which the European Union has built its entire existence, from its very earliest days. A feeling of mutual aid and brotherhood that Europe is demonstrating even during the health emergency triggered by the coronavirus epidemic, responsible for the disease Covid-19. It is precisely this solidarity that the European Commission Representation in Milan wishes to celebrate in a video — a thank-you to all those who, during the crisis, did not hold back and extended a helping hand to Italy and to the other countries hardest hit by the health emergency.

Solidarity and unity are the European watchwords of this crisis

"I think this emergency is making us discover two key words: solidarity and unity — Massimo Gaudina, head of the European Commission Representation in Milan, told us —. Together, transnational problems can be tackled more effectively. Even if the message gets through that there has been no solidarity towards Italy, it isn't true. We must believe in solidarity and not in the enormous amount of disinformation that is circulating."

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While it is true that in the first days of the emergency some EU countries hesitated to offer help to Italy, it is equally true that many European countries, once the initial settling-in phase had passed, sent medical supplies and medical personnel, or took Italian patients into the intensive care units of their hospitals.

Snapshots of European solidarity towards Italy

"European solidarity received less visibility than the aid sent by non-EU countries, but it was no less important: I think of the sending of ventilators, doctors and nurses from Romania, Germany, Poland, and even a field hospital sent to Lombardy by Denmark," Gaudina commented.

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Indeed, within the Union, many countries helped Italy in the shared fight against coronavirus. Germany, Lithuania, France, Austria, Slovakia and Denmark offered medical equipment, ventilators and masks. Germany, Luxembourg and Austria did not hold back and took Italian patients into their intensive care units. Romania, Poland and Norway sent their doctors and nurses to help Italian staff cope with an extremely delicate hospital situation. And these are just some of the countless examples of European nations that went beyond their national and political borders and reached out to other countries.

Support against the consequences of the coronavirus

During this health emergency, the European civil protection mechanism (RescEu) was also activated, through which masks and other personal protective equipment reached Italy.

Europe itself has allocated funding for scientific research, funds for the economy, and support for those in difficulty. Concrete assistance to the regions and countries most affected, because history teaches us that only solidarity allows us to move forward.

"We must remember that the European Union was born in the aftermath of war — Gaudina concluded —. It has made enormous strides forward after confronting major shocks, and so the hope is that, following a shock like this one too, an even more united and even stronger Europe can emerge."