Source: European Parliament
The Commission is closely monitoring the implementation of the AntiNero programmes, which are part of the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan (measure ID: 16849).
The Commission is in regular contact with the Greek authorities to ensure that the investment is implemented within the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) timeframe and according to the conditions set out in the annex to the Council Implementing Decision[1].
As the RRF is a performance-based instrument, the Commission only pays out the amounts to each country when they have achieved the agreed milestones and targets towards completing the measures included in their plan.
In relation to the Antinero programmes, Greece has currently fulfilled milestone 61 for awarding contracts for AntiNero programmes I and II, concerning the upgrade of 37 500 ha of degraded forest ecosystems.
Future milestones and targets will be assessed at the time of their corresponding payment requests. The Greek authorities have not informed the Commission of any allocation of these grants towards other initiatives such as the ‘Saving Energy in Businesses — Changing my business’ energy system’ project.
Should a programme be implemented in or nearby a Natura 2000 site so that it is likely to have a significant effect thereon, Greece will also need to verify wherever an appropriate assessment is required in line with the provision of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive[2].
Member States are primarily responsible to ensure compliance with EU law, including verifying individual cases of potential breach of the relevant rules or taking the necessary steps for enforcement, and the appropriate measures to address any matter that has arisen.
In its role as the guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will monitor the situation and may decide to take appropriate action.