Commission to extend international cooperation to tackle antimicrobial resistance
The European Commission will strengthen international cooperation in its quest to tackle microbial threats, said EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne, speaking at a conference on 'antibiotic use in Europe' in Brussels on 15 November. The major pillar of the Community's strategy for containing antimicrobial resistance, or resistance to antibiotics, is research and product development with the aim of developing new antimicrobial agents, alternative treatments and vaccines as well as rapid and reliable diagnostic and susceptibility tests, said Mr Byrne. 'Antimicrobial resistance, like communicable diseases, does not respect borders. International cooperation is indispensable from the start to reach sustainable results in the fight against the microbial threat,' said the Commissioner. 'The Commission will therefore continue and extend cooperation with candidate and third countries, and strengthen cooperation, coordination and partnership at international level via international organisations and action plans,' he said.