Commission welcomes European Parliament support for the Jobs and Growth Plan for Greece

The European Commission welcomes yesterday’s vote of the European Parliament which paves the way for swiftly implementing the Jobs and Growth Plan for Greece presented by the Commission on 15 July. Greece is set to receive more than €35 billion that isalready earmarked for the country from the EU budget over the years 2014-2020under the European and Structural and Investment Funds. Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis said: “I welcome today’s vote in the European Parliament giving its green light to frontloading existing EU funds for investment in growth-enhancing projects in Greece. EU funding can play a vital role in injecting investment directly into the real economy, if targeted wisely and used to its full potential. Today’s vote will help to ensure that can happen.” Corina Creţu, Commissioner for Regional Policy, was in Greece yesterday to discuss the implementation of the package with the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Both sides are committed to work closely together in order to exploit the full potential of the European Structural and Investment Funds. The Jobs and Growth Plan for Greece is intended to flank the comprehensive set of reforms agreed between the Greek Government, the Commission and international partners in the context of the new economic adjustment programme. The Commission also offers technical assistance and expertise to Greece, through its new Structural Reform Support Service (SRSS)to ensure swift activation of the funds and their best use to support recovery, and create foundation for sustainable employment and growth. The next step is for the proposal to be presented to the EU Council of Ministers for adoption. Following its formal adoption by the EU legislators, the Commission’s proposal is expected to enter into force mid-October. The full statement is available here.