Premier Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday
hailed an "historic" EU deal on a post-coronavirus Recovery
Fund, reached after the longest summit in the Union's history.
He said the result of the summit, which saw Italy increase its
initial allocation of funding, had strengthened the government
in Rome.
After five days of acrimonious talks, the EU leaders agreed on a
750 billion euro post-virus stimulus package, consisting of 390
in grants and 360 in loans.
Italy, as worst-hit EU country, will receive the largest single
slice of funding, 209 billion, or 28% of the total.
The deal was sealed after bitter debates between 'frugal'
northern European states led by the Netherlands, which wanted
the percentage of loans increased and tied to structural
reforms, and southern European members led by Italy.
Dutch Premier Mark Rutte, who led his country's opposition to
the original plan along with Austria, Denmark, Sweden and
Finland, obtained an "emergency brake" provision if any member's
spending plans deviate from the Fund's purposes.
But thanks largely to Conte's insistence, Rutte did not achieve
his goal of imposing veto powers.
Conte was received by President Sergio Mattarella after his
success at the summit, which saw Italy's piece of the pie
increase from 182 billion to 209.
Conte said "with 209 billion euros, Italy has improved the
intervention in its favour compared with the original plan of
(European Commission) President (Ursula) von der Leyen," he
said.
Conte stressed that the Italian government was now stronger than
before the summit.
"The Italian government is stronger: the truth is that the
approval of this plan reinforces the action of the government,"
he said.
Conte added that a task force to draft the necessary reforms is
a priority that will be "defined over the coming days".
He said "it must start as soon as possible".
The summit also OK'd a 1.074 trillion seven year EU budget,
having overcome the final hurdle, northern countries' insistence
on tying funding to Hungary and Poland to their respect for the
rule of law.
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