Evaluation of 3rd NRRP instalment still ongoing - EC

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 22 - Work on the assessment of Italy's request for payment of its 19-billion-euro third instalment of EU funding to implement the post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is ongoing, a European Commission spokesperson said on Monday.
    "Our evaluation work is still ongoing," Commission Spokesperson Veerle Nuyts said during a press briefing.
    "There has been constructive dialogue with the Italian authorities. There are no major developments".
    In March Commission delayed payment of the third tranche while it runs further checks on Italy's progress European Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said that this was not exceptional as it has happened with other countries too.
    Rome is in negotiations with the European Commission to revise the plan due to problems in getting some of the related projects completed by the required deadline of 2026.
    To date, Italy has received 66.9 billion euros in two instalments to enact the plan to make the Italian economy greener and more modern, with projects financed by almost 200 billion euros in EU grants and low-interest loans on condition that all agreed targets are met by 2026. (ANSA).