The European Commission is one of the biggest employers of EU interpreters. It provides interpretation for about 40 to 50 meetings a day in normal times, according to a spokesperson.
Right now, the Commission is providing interpreting for about five physical meetings per day, the spokesperson said. In addition, Commission linguists are interpreting for videoconferences, such as an international pledging event to combat the coronavirus held this month.
Over at the Council of the EU, interpreting has been "partially provided" at meetings of ambassadors, according to a Council official. Ministers meeting via videoconference have had to get by without any interpreting provided by the Council, the official said.
Even the most recent videoconference of EU leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took place without the Council providing interpretation.
In an effort to resolve their problems, freelance interpreters met online with the three EU institutions last month. A similar meeting is planned for the end of May.
So far, as befits their profession, the interpreters seem confident that clear communication holds the key to getting things back on track.
“We are dealing with institutions through social dialogue,” said a statement signed by their negotiating team following the meeting on April 24. “There is no doubt that those problems will be solved, as always in the history of the EU.”