EU head leaves leaders summit to go into self-isolation

By Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - The European Commission president left the EU leaders’ summit after one of her team member tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

“I have just been informed that a member of my front office has tested positive to COVID-19 this morning. I myself have tested negative,” Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.

“However as a precaution I am immediately leaving the European Council to go into self-isolation,” she added.

EU leaders have gathered in Brussels on Thursday for two days of discussions on a post-Brexit trade agreement, the coronavirus pandemic, and the climate change.

The leaders of the 27 member states will also discuss ways to tackle the climate change, sanctions on Russia and future relations with Africa.