Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission closely monitors the implementation of the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan, in close contact with the Greek authorities. Only certain specific parts of the Northen Cretan highway are covered by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF): the construction of the segment from Neapolis to Agios Nikolaos, certain works from the segments from Chania to Heraklion and from Hersonissos to Neapoli. The Commission will assess progress in the context of corresponding payments requests[1]. Cohesion Policy, under the 2021-2027 programme ‘Transport’, co-finances the part of the highway from Chania to Hersonisos (Heraklion). The Commission closely monitors implementation and consults with the national authorities to support its progress.
2. Under the RRF Regulation[2], if any of the milestones is not satisfactorily fulfilled, the payment of all or part of the financial contribution shall be suspended. If these milestones are not fulfilled within a period of six months from the suspension, the Commission shall reduce the amount of the financial contribution proportionately. If, due to objective circumstances, certain milestones and targets are no longer achievable, either partially or totally, a Member State can request to amend its Recovery and Resilience Plan. Likewise, there is a possibility, upon Member State request, to consider reallocation of funding in the ‘Transport’ programme in case of critical delays in its implementation.
3. The Commission is not in a position to estimate with precision the possible impact of developments related to the Northern Cretan highway on the economic development of Crete, nor on road safety. These questions are best addressed to the responsible authorities at national level.