NRRP: statement by Minister for European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policy and the NRRP Raffaele Fitto

The recommendations on the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (‘NRRP’) contained in the European Semester Spring Package, presented today by the European Commission, substantially deal with three matters: implementation of the plan with presentation of the amendment proposal and integration with the REPowerEU chapter; the need to strengthen governance and administrative capacity, above all at local level; indication that complementarity and synergy must be guaranteed between cohesion policies and the NRRP.
For the benefit of political debate in Italy and the various reactions, it is important to point out that these positions are in line with the Meloni Government’s vision and priorities, and the work that has been ongoing since its first day in office. 
In fact, it should be noted that, with regard to the change to the Plan relating to the additional REPowerEU chapter, as can be seen from carefully and not superficially reading the report, there is confirmation that positive dialogue is continuing with the Commission, awaiting formalisation of said chapter. This is why it is also very useful to point out that, as of today, only four Member States have presented their REPowerEU proposal. 
It is equally as important to highlight that the recommendation regarding complementarity and synergy between NRRP funds and Cohesion funds is precisely what the Meloni Government has identified as its strategy from the outset, both in the innovative and single organisation of delegated powers and in the need to coordinate the different programmes to ensure a single vision. We are pleased that this is now also included in the Commission’s recommendations.

Lastly, strengthening overall governance, including the mission units, and in agreement with regional, provincial and municipal authorities, also the local bodies in charge of implementing the measures, as provided for by decree law no. 13, allows for a clear enhancement of administrative capacity in order to speed up implementation of the plan and ensure it is completed on time.

[Courtesy translation]