Informal video conference of economy and finance ministers, 6 September 2021

Main results

Ministers took stock of the economic recovery in Europe. They held a discussion on the Council implementing decisions on the approval of national recovery and resilience plans for Czechia and Ireland and welcomed the Commission's positive assessment of both. The decisions will be adopted via written procedure by 8 September, allowing both countries to soon start implementing their planned reforms and investments. Czechia will also be able to receive the requested 13% pre-financing.

We’re moving forward with the European economic recovery. Today, we discussed two more national plans. Czechia and Ireland will soon be able to start the implementation of reforms and investments to strengthen their economies. With the support of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, we have the opportunity to revitalise our economy after the Covid-19 pandemic and to build a better future for our citizens.

Andrej Šircelj, Slovenia’s Minister for Finance

Once the decision on the Czech and Irish plans are formally approved this week, 18 national plans will already have been adopted. Today, ministers also exchanged views on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The facility, worth €672.5 billion, is the key instrument of the Next Generation EU recovery package designed to help Europe emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. To receive support from the RRF, the member states must submit their recovery and resilience plans and have them assessed and approved.

• A recovery plan for Europe (background information and timeline)