The European Commission has given initial approval for the fifth installment of Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), releasing 11 billion euros for the country. This decision comes after a request made by the Italian government in December. The approval includes 53 milestones and targets related to Italy’s fifth payment request, which is part of the wider Recovery and Resilience Facility under NextGenerationEU. Minister Raffaele Fitto emphasized that the request initially had 52 objectives, with two additional goals added in May 2024. These new objectives focus on combating tax evasion, specifically aiming for a 40% increase in compliance letters sent by the tax administration to taxpayers and a 30% rise in tax revenue from these compliance letters compared to 2019.
Raffaele Fitto further explained that there was a delay in the approval of payment regarding a specific target related to the average time between awarding public contracts and completing infrastructure projects. Despite this delay, both parties are working towards resolving the issue as soon as possible. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed great satisfaction with the approval, highlighting Italy’s position as the top country in Europe for achieving PNRR objectives and making financial progress. Italy has received 113.5 billion euros out of the nearly 194.5 billion euros allocated, representing 58.4% of the total PNRR funds. Meloni also mentioned that a recent request for the sixth payment of 8.5 billion euros had been sent, with Italy once again leading in Europe for payment requests. The government is committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the PNRR as it is crucial for strengthening the nation and supporting families and businesses.
Meloni announced that a coordination meeting would take place on July 3 to assess the progress of the established objectives. She also noted that a request for the seventh payment of 18.2 billion euros would be made during this meeting. The government remains dedicated to achieving the goals set out in the PNRR, recognizing that each milestone reached is a step towards creating a more robust, modern, and responsive Italy. The PNRR’s successful implementation is a top priority for the entire government, demonstrating their commitment to improving the country and meeting the needs of its citizens and businesses. Italy’s leading position in Europe regarding the implementation of the PNRR reflects the government’s efforts to utilize these funds effectively for the country’s development and growth.
