Road to Recovery

The EU Recovery and Resilience Fund is a key instrument for recovering from the post-pandemic crisis, as well as facing the impact of the Russian war against Ukraine and modernising our economies.
Greece is a model in successfully implementing this facility. Amounting 36 billion euro grants and loans, Greece’s recovery and resilience plan has responded to the urgent need to foster a strong recovery. The plan put forward by Prime Minister Mitsotakis will make the Greek economy greener and more digital. It will support growth and create jobs, as well as make Greece more attractive for investors and better protected for any future crises.
Nea Demokratia Mayors and Presidents of regions are a model in successfully absorbing EU funds. The Road to Recovery event in Athens will take stock of the implementation of the Recovery Plan together with EPP local and regional representatives. We will see on the ground how the Recovery Fund is contributing to local and regional growth and to improving the life of Greek citizens.

The RRF is an ambitious solution enabling Europe to emerge stronger from crisis. It is the best tool to accelerate green and digital transformations. This unique opportunity for modernization cannot be seized without the real participation of all relevant stakeholders, especially without regional and local authorities having competences in all six pillars of the RRF. Greece guaranteed to effectively achieve the objectives of the RRF by engaging local and regional authorities in the entire process.

At a time when Europe and Greece are being tested by multiple and unprecedented crises, this event is of particular interest, because it aims to inform all of us about the funding programs and tools that the European Union has made available and continues to have for the relief and shielding of the societies of the member states

RFF's advantages include speed, steer, and flexibility - to fully use these possibilities before the 2026 deadline, the involvement of local and regional authorities is necessary. Their engagement is also necessary to take full advantage of attractive synergies with other EU funds. Greece is a good example of how fast implementation and inclusive governance bring the best results.

RRF is helping to deliver the green and digital transition in the wake of the challenges brought by Covid. Greece has fully embraced this opportunity, with plans to channel over €36 billion through its Greece 2.0 plan, and is leading the way in its rollout of the scheme. I am pleased to see colleagues from across the EU joining today's conference in order to learn and benefit from Greece's approach.