December 11, 2020

The following is a press release:

Statement of Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of the region of Central Macedonia, Greece

"I congratulate the German EU Presidency and the EU institutions for the historic deal. The agreement opens a new era and can help turn the crisis into new opportunities. As major beneficiaries of EU funds, regions and cities, are committed to urgently put these resources at the service of our people and businesses. The European Union is demonstrating solidarity and responsibility, based on the respect of the rule of law, as demanded by the European Committee of the Regions. All levels of governance - EU, national, regional and local - are called upon to join forces to turn the €1.8trn investment into reality. The recovery must be fair and based on social, economic and territorial cohesion, fostering green and digital change and boosting innovation. This is what our citizens expect and what we all need to achieve to turn the challenges into opportunities".

Statement by Isabelle Boudineau, Chair of the CoR Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) and Vice-President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, France

"Respect for the rule of law is not negotiable. I am satisfied that the rule of law provisions stay unchanged with the compromise reached by the European Council. Cities and regions will benefit from the new MFF to recover from the pandemic and continue the socially-fair and green transition."

Background:

On 10 December the 27 heads of state and government of the EU countries reached an agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-27 (MFF) and the protection of the EU budget in case of Rule of law deficiencies. Pending the green light of the European Parliament, the deal will give the European Union a seven-year 1 074.3 billion of EUR budget and allow for the deployment of Next Generation EU, the 750 billion of EUR temporary recovery instrument: a total of 1.8 trillion of EUR. It is the largest package ever financed through the EU budget.

President's Spokesperson:

Michele Cercone

Tel. +32 (0)498 98 23 49

Michele.Cercone@cor.europa.eu

Press officer:

Matteo Miglietta

Tel. +32 470 895 382

matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu