The Croatian Government on 24 July formally requested the European Commission (EC) to release the third installment of funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO) amounting to EUR 700 million, which is contingent on the successful implementation of 45 crucial reforms and investments, Croatian media report. After the third installment in the amount of EUR 700 million by the end of this year, Croatia will be the first country in the European Union (EU) to have paid more than 50% of the available funds as part of the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).By using European funds, we achieve faster growth and greater resilience of the Croatian economy, which successfully overcame several crises we faced. Investments in the construction of kindergartens, primary schools and gymnasiums throughout Croatia, health and transport infrastructure, as well as projects in the fields of energy, water supply, tourism, science and earthquake reconstruction are launched through NPOO. This directly increases the quality of life of Croatian citizens,” said Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in a statement on 24 July.Croatia has been benefitting from the EU's RRF, already receiving a total of over EUR 2.2 billion, which includes EUR 818 million in pre-financing and the first two installments, each worth EUR 700 million.This means that more than 40% of the available EUR 5.5 billion in grants have already been allocated to the country. The Government has diligently fulfilled 104 reforms and investments since the inception of the NPOO.Upon the successful payment of the third installment later this year, Croatia will surpass a remarkable milestone, becoming the first country in the European Union to have received over 50% of the available funds from the EU Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. (ICE ZAGABRIA)

Fonte notizia: HRT and Poslovni dnevnik online edition 24/7/2023