The Croatian government on Thursday adopted a draft agreement between the European Commission and EU member states on the purchase of a vaccine against the Covid-19 disease.

Health Minister Vili Beros was given the authority to sign a letter notifying the European Commission about the completion of the necessary procedures in Croatia to sign the agreement.

Beros said that currently there was no vaccine against the coronavirus or specific treatment for this disease.

“Based on the proposed agreement, the European Commission is authorised by the participating member states to sign advance purchase agreements with vaccine producers to buy a vaccine and curb this disease at the EU level,” the health minister said.

By acceding to this agreement, Croatia confirms its intention to buy a vaccine and becomes entitled to purchase a certain amount of vaccine. This right is exercised by entering into separate agreements with vaccine producers to buy a vaccine at a price negotiated by the European Commission on behalf of the member states.

“The agreement represents the basis for the European Commission to enter into advance agreements with vaccine producers, and each member state decides on its own on entering into a separate purchase agreement with a vaccine producer,” Beros said.

The government also adopted a decree to create the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister without a portfolio, which will be headed by Deputy Prime Minister Boris Milosevic.