The European Union and Australia are calling for a thorough investigation of the source of origin and mass distribution of coronavirus, the Australian ABC reported. 62 countries, including Russia, South Africa, the UK, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, supported this proposal on the eve of the World Health Assembly opening on Monday.
Australian Foreign Secretary Marise Payne said the proponents of this initiative want to "help the world learn the lessons it takes to protect health." In turn, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, spokeswoman for foreign relations of the EU Council, noted that the EU intends to reach consensus: "We need the support of all the major players, and China is one of them."
The investigation initiative sparked fierce condemnation from Beijing, which accused Australia, the first to voice this idea, of a political attack on China. At the same time, the proposal that is currently being discussed does not mention either China or the city of Wuhan.
American diplomats, in turn, insist on a tougher language that would call for an investigation into the origin of the virus, starting with China. U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have repeatedly accused China of hiding information about the virus, which, in their opinion, was one of the reasons for the pandemic.
source: abcnews.go.com
Australian Foreign Secretary Marise Payne said the proponents of this initiative want to "help the world learn the lessons it takes to protect health." In turn, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, spokeswoman for foreign relations of the EU Council, noted that the EU intends to reach consensus: "We need the support of all the major players, and China is one of them."
The investigation initiative sparked fierce condemnation from Beijing, which accused Australia, the first to voice this idea, of a political attack on China. At the same time, the proposal that is currently being discussed does not mention either China or the city of Wuhan.
American diplomats, in turn, insist on a tougher language that would call for an investigation into the origin of the virus, starting with China. U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have repeatedly accused China of hiding information about the virus, which, in their opinion, was one of the reasons for the pandemic.
source: abcnews.go.com
