The contract between the EU and Astra Zeneca which has been published includes a dispute resolution clause:
“18.5. Resolution.
(a)In the event of a dispute arising undervtgis Agreement between the Parties, the Parties shall first refer such dispute to informal dispute resolution discussions between their respective Executive Officers. AstraZeneca, on the one hand, or the Commission, on the other hand on behalf of the Commission or the applicable Participating Member State, may initiate such informal dispute resolution by sending written notice of the dispute to the other Party, and, within twenty (20) days of such notice, the Executive Officers shall meet and attempt to resolve the dispute by good faith negotiations.”
There is no doubt that this could be a very large dispute indeed.
It is disappointing to note that there is no provision for mediation by an independent third party neutral.
We do advise parties to contracts to include a dispute resolution clause to be included in contracts, which can name ProMediate as mediation service provider.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_302