“The Italy Tomorrow plan satisfies the criteria we have established, it is an ambitious and forward-looking plan”. With these words the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen announced the formal green light to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. As part of the Next Generation Eu plan, Brussels has allocated 191,5 billion euros to Italy until 2026. The first funds, amounting to 24,89 billion euros, will arrive shortly, after the approval of the plan by of the EU Council. “The EU Council has 4 weeks to approve the plan and then we can disburse the first tranche of funding,” explained von der Leyen.
“I would like to thank the president for being here with us in Rome. Her visit marks approval by the Pnrr commission. It is a day of pride for our country”. These are the words with which Premier Draghi opened the joint press conference with the president of the EU commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the Cinecittà studios in Rome. A frame that was not chosen at random. “The place chosen for this ceremony is very symbolic. Here in the post-war years our cinema told the life of Italian families, first the hardships, then the work and finally the enthusiasm. Today we celebrate here with the approval of the Pnrr what I hope it will be the dawn of the recovery of our economy“, Draghi stressed.
The Prime Minister claimed the work done by Italy, which has "put together an ambitious reform plan that makes the fairest and most competitive country“. Draghi then underlined "The Italian plan that we have called "Italy tomorrow" fully responds to the impulses of the Commission".
“Today is just the beginning – continued the owner of Palazzo Chigi – the challenge now is the implementation of the plan, we need to make sure that all the funds are spent, but above all spent well, efficiently, effectively, but also with honesty", highlighted the Premier, underlining that "in recent weeks we have already taken important steps" on the first reforms, such as governance and simplifications.
“I'm here today to say that you have the full support of the European Commission” said von der Leyen after quoting Fellini and la Dolce Vita. “You coming out of the “pandemic” crisisyou have inspired an entire continent, you have shown what the true meaning of solidarity is. With the Next Generation Eu we can reshape our continent”.
“It is a special moment for Italy, but it is also a special moment for the European Union. The vaccination campaign is progressing quickly as the blue team and the whole country and the economy are reopening. I am happy to be here and to see what you will do with the funds that will come with the Next Generation Eu. A plan he put on the plate more funds than any other plan, more than the Marshall Plan. This is an extraordinary opportunity,” continued von der Leyen.
“It is the beginning of an implementation that will be tough, we will have to work hard and the commission will be next to you step by step. A stronger Italy makes Europe stronger”, reiterated the Belgian leader.
Going into the merits of the plan, the president affirmed that the Italian plan “represents a complete and balanced response to the economic and social situation of Italy, contributing appropriately to all six pillars of the Recovery regulation”. Italy received ten A's and only one B on the item "Costs". The same assessment was reserved for the national plans approved so far, ie those of Portugal, Spain, Greece, Denmark and Luxembourg, Slovakia, Austria and Latvia. Today, together with the Italian one, the commission approved the plans of Germany and Belgium.
To implement the measures contained in the Pnnr, Italy will therefore have 191,5 billion euros available, of which around 70 billion euros in grants and 120 billion euros in loans. To these funds will be added the 30 billion allocated by the Italian Government as part of the Complementary Fund and the 13,2 billion of the React Eu plan.
The approval of the Pnrr was also celebrated remotely by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, speaking at the inauguration of the new architecture campus of the Milan Polytechnic. For Italy, the Recovery and the exit from the emergency represent "a moment of new beginning, not a return to the conditions prior to the pandemic, but a start on different and new conditions, adapted to the reality that will present itself in the future" , said the President of the Republic.
