The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, showed himself today in favor of a waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines in a meeting, via videoconference, with Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.
The PRC shows more cautious on supporting the waiver, but could do it in the context of negotiations within the World Trade organisation, Wang Wenbin (Foreign Ministry Spokesperson) said answering some questions from the press during the ordinary press conference held today.
Russia did it first and would support the waiver, Putin said
“…we, among other things, are the only country in the world that is ready to transfer, and does transfer, vaccine production technology to other countries. This process is already underway; it is ongoing. In certain countries vaccine production was organised with technology we shared”, The President of the Russian Federation pointed during his e-meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and he continued:”We hear there is an idea in Europe, which I believe deserves consideration, to lift the patent protection from COVID-19 vaccines altogether. As far as I know, this would not contravene but actually comply with certain WTO rules which envision lifting such patent protection in emergencies; and the pandemic is certainly an emergency.
“This is why I am asking you, Ms Golikova, to look into this and work it out. Russia would support this approach given that, as I have said many times, under these conditions we should worry less about profits and more about ensuring people’s security. And health security is only possible if the vaccines are used in the overwhelming majority of nations. This will lead to herd immunity, a common immunity in the broadest sense of the word. This concerns everyone, including our country.
“So I ask you to focus on what we talked about earlier, this effort in the Russian regions; and will you please also think about that initiative and report back to me later.
Thank you very much”
China will seek an effecive and balanced result in WTO framework
Wang Wenbin (Foreign Ministry Spokesperson) said on a possible PRC support to a temporary waiver on intellectual property rules for COVID-19 vaccines: “All countries share the responsibility to fight the epidemic, and everyone should have equal access to vaccines.
China supports efforts devoted to the issue of vaccine accessibility and looks forward to active and constructive discussions among all parties within the framework of the WTO in a bid to achieve an effective and balanced result.
“Upholding the vision of building a global community of health for all, China actively supports and participates in international vaccine cooperation, and is providing vaccines in different ways to countries in urgent need, especially developing countries.
China will unswervingly continue its efforts in making COVID vaccines a public good, and make contributions to improving vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.”
Image over the headline.- Vladimir Putin (President of the Russian Federation) in the meeting, via videoconference, with Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova held on 6th May 2021.© Russian Federation Government Press Bureau.
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Putin-Golikova meeting, via videoconference on 6th May 2021
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on May 6, 2021
