(Finance) – The EU Commission gave a positive preliminary assessment of Italy’s request for payment of a fourth tranche from 16.5 billion euros in grants and loans linked to the PNRR. This is what we read in a press release from the Commission.
“Congratulations to Italy for your constant implementation” of the PNRR, writes the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, commenting on the green light of Brussels to the fourth tranche of funds linked to the Pnrr. “We will continue to support Italy so that its recovery plan is successful” continues Von der Leyen. Italy, recalls the president, “has carried out important reforms in the legislation on public procurement and in the judicial system for a better business environment. It has invested in nursery schools and early childhood education and has promoted the spread of hydrogen, as well as digital public administration”. “Once Member States also give the green light, Italy will receive 16.5 billion euros under NextGenerationEU,” adds Von der Leyen.
“Congratulations to Italy for achieving the goals and objectives set out in its Recovery and Resilience Plan, as it continues to progress through the green and digital transitions.” Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice-president of the EU Commission with responsibility for the economy, the Brussels executive gave the green light to the fourth tranche of funds linked to the Pnrr. “Italy is simplifying procedures to encourage more green investment, promoting sustainable mobility by installing charging infrastructure and adding zero-emission trains to the regional public rail network. We welcome reforms in public procurement, tax administration and the criminal and civil justice. On a social level, Italy is addressing regional differences in educational poverty, encouraging more women to enter the labor market and improving access to health and social services for the elderly. once the Commission’s assessment has been examined and approved by the Member States, Italy will receive 16.5 billion euros in grants for this fourth payment request” he adds Dombrovskis.
“Today’s positive preliminary assessment of Italy’s fourth payment request marks another important step in the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plan, and comes just days after the Commission gave the green light to review the plan.” This was stated by the EU Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni after the approval of the fourth tranche of 16.5 billion of funds linked to the Pnrr for Italy. “Dour evaluation showed that Italy has successfully implemented the 21 fundamental steps and iftte objectives linked to this payment request. These include reforms to increase the efficiency of criminal and civil justice, modernize public administration, reduce payment delays and improve care for the elderly, as well as investments in social inclusion, energy efficiency and infrastructure for hydrogen. Once the relevant procedures are finalised, we will be able to make a payment of 16.5 billion euros in grants to Italy, bringing the total disbursed to over 100 billion euros – further strong EU support for the realization of this crucial program of reforms and investments”.
“The positive evaluation of the Commission demonstrates the great progress made by Italy and, a few days after the approval by the European Commission of the general revision of the Pnrr, confirms the great commitment of the Government in order to fully implement the Pnrr to make the country more modern and more competitive”. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expresses satisfaction in a video on social media in which she confirms that “the Commission today approved Italy’s fourth payment request, of 16.5 billion euros, confirming that Italy has achieved all 28 objectives and targets”.
“We are playing a decisive match for the future of Italy and Europe”says the minister for the South, social cohesion and the Pnrr, Raffaele Fitto, at a press conference after the European Commission gave the go-ahead to pay the fourth instalment. At the conference, the minister wanted to underline “the excellent level of collaboration with the European Union task force because they have not been easy months, but we have worked very intensely and positively and I am also pleased to underline the fact that under This collaboration is building one of the biggest challenges, which doesn’t just concern the Government, it concerns Italy and Europe”.