National recovery plans should add to EU resilience and strategic autonomy

A plenary resolution adopted by 421 votes to 180, and with 55 abstentions highlights the stabilising effect of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) at a time of significant economic uncertainty in Europe. Strengthening EU resilience and autonomy MEPs note that the RRF prevented the fragmentation of the EU internal market and promoted recovery. They want RRF funding to respect the principle of additionality and not replace cohesion policy funding. The resolution calls for targeted investment in EU defence, education and skills, and more cross-border and multi-country measures, including high-speed railway. MEPs insist on accelerating investment in social protection and the integration of vulnerable groups. They also encourage member states to amend their national investment plans using REPowerEU to boost EU’s energy autonomy. RRF expires in 2026 MEPs are concerned that the short timeframe for the implementation of outstanding RRF funding poses challenges to the completion of key reforms, large-scale investments and innovative projects, as well as the 70% of milestones and targets that have still to be reached. They urge the Commission to set up new programmes, which should be flexible and reactive to changing circumstances and guarantee predictability. MEPs also demand an 18-month extension for ongoing mature projects. Transparency and simplification The RRF’s long-term benefits to gross domestic product are likely to be between three to six times greater than the...