European Parliament approves EMA move to Amsterdam

European Parliament approved the European Medicines Agency's move from London to Amsterdam, on the condition that the authorities report on the progress of the construction of the new EMA office on Zuidas every quarter, ANP reports.

The EMA is moving out of London due to the Brexit. Italian politicians are still fighting against the move to Amsterdam, according to the news wire. A case is ongoing at the European Court of Justice. Italy wants the court to annul the move to Amsterdam because of the procedure followed - Amsterdam beat Milan for the EMA in a tiebreak vote decided by chance. But now that European parliament also approved the move to Amsterdam, it is unlikely that the Court will reverse it.

CDA European parliamentarian Annie Schreijer-Pierik warned that "the Italians will come into action again if construction [of the new office] is delayed. The builders can absolutely not go on holiday in the summer." VVD parliamentarian Jan Huitema believes that "the Netherlands has shown how well it is able to house the EMA. Amsterdam is not the staff's preference for nothing".

A delegation from the European Parliament visited Amsterdam last month. The guarantees given that the EMA will be able to continue its work as usual on March 30th, 2019 - the day after the Brexit - reassured the delegation.