EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell (centre) in Monday’s virtual meeting
This afternoon.
Via RTÉ’s live tracker feed on the coronavirus…
The European Union’s decision-making process is being sorely tested by videoconferencing during the coronavirus pandemic, EU officials say,with one calling it a “catastrophe“.
A virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers yesterday was punctuated by technical problems, speakers who were unsure if they could be heard and a lack of translators.
“These video conferences don’t work very well, there are tech problems and the ‘Hello, can you hear me?‘ interruptions,” said a senior diplomat present at the video link.
“So people read out their prepared notes mostly. There is little scope for actual negotiations.”
“It’s a testing time for Europe. There are no summits, no ministerial meetings, less visibility,” the diplomat said.
Live Covid-19: Range of non-essential services to close (RTÉ)
Previously: The Skype Is Falling