Photo by Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock.com

The leaders will instead hold a video conference to discuss the fight against the COVID-19 novel coronavirus , said the statement.

EU leaders come together at regular summits three times a year and make important decisions on issues about the union.

COVID-19 first emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has since spread to at least 159 countries and territories. The WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic. Italy and Spain are particularly badly hit, but the virus is present across the EU.