Johannes Hahn: «In January the first funds of the Recovery Fund if ….»

Strict message to Hungary and Poland to respect the «Europe of Law» that is being tested by the pandemic and to open the package of 1.8 trillion. Euros with the first disbursements at the beginning of 2021 is sent by Commissioner Johannes Hahn in his interview with «Vima tis Kyriakis».

On the eve of the Brussels Summit, where this hot issue is expected to be discussed in the background, Mr Hahn said: «I hope that Poland and Hungary will resolve their objections. Businesses, citizens and programs across Europe are demanding the rapid release of money from both the EU budget and the Recovery Fund.

All Eurozone countries, including Greece, have pinned their hopes on the economy on the Recovery and Resiliency Facility. Where are we, at this point, regarding the process of setting up and joining it? And what are the difficulties for it to work from 1-1-2021?

The MFF Regulation agreed by the negotiators on 10 November must be endorsed and adopted by the European Parliament and the Council. In parallel, work continues towards a final adoption of all other elements of the package, including the sectoral legislation and the Own Resources Decision.

In the case of the Own Resources Decision, which will enable the Commission to borrow, ratification by all Member States in line with their constitutional requirements is also needed. The European Parliament, at its September plenary, has already provided its positive opinion on this piece of legislation. The adoption of this Decision by the Council is the next step.

As for the Recovery and Resilience Facility, trilogues between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the regulation of the RRF started on 13 November. It is important that the institutions find a quick agreement,...