Brussels: Today, the European Commission approved significant payment requests for Greece, Slovenia, and Portugal under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) of the NextGenerationEU program. The approvals represent a pivotal development in the post-pandemic recovery efforts of these nations, with the combined payments nearing £4 billion.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Greece’s sixth payment request of £2.44 billion received the Commission’s positive assessment, elevating the total disbursed funds to £23.45 billion. Greece has achieved 32 milestones and 7 targets, focusing on renewable energy infrastructure, a national digital health record database, and classroom interactive learning systems. The payment constitutes 65% of Greece’s RRF allocation, with 48% of milestones and targets reached.
Portugal’s seventh payment request for £1.06 billion in grants was also positively assessed, bringing the total disbursed to £13.85 billion. This funding is essential for Portugal’s initiatives in health, gender equality, and renewable energy, including investments in medical equipment and emergency accommodations.
Slovenia’s fourth payment request of £439.7 million received a positive assessment, raising the total funds to £1.54 billion. This includes pre-financing from September 2021 and funds under REPowerEU. These funds support reforms in long-term care, labor market resilience, and digitalization and decarbonization efforts.
These approvals highlight significant progress in the recovery plans of these countries, aiming to bolster economic growth, enhance citizens’ quality of life, and promote resilient and competitive societies. The disbursements rely on the Economic and Financial Committee’s opinions and the Commission’s approval. The RRF remains a cornerstone of the EU’s pandemic response, with resources available to monitor these crucial investments and reforms.