Croatia's rotating presidency is in the first half of 2020, and this March the European Commission adopted the first set of measures to address the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, with agreement on directing funds to public healthcare, subsidies for enterprises and job preservation.
At that moment the European Commission waived its right to the funds and claims on unused funds in pre-financing. At the level of all EU member states, that amount was eight billion euros, and in Croatia only slightly over €240 million, Savic said.
The second set of measures was adopted in April and, holding the EU presidency, Croatia requested full flexibility for the use of EU funds for the purpose of their redirection for efforts aimed at curbing the coronavirus spread, and this flexibility was allowed, the expert said.
In addition, countries could be freed of the obligation of national co-financing, Savic said, adding that those changes would soon take effect.
This flexibility and fast decision making on relevant regulations was "under the crucial influence of the Croatian Presidency of the EU", he underscored.
All that is the result of our intensive diplomatic efforts, Savic said, recalling that the first set of rescue measures was unveiled on 13 March and went into force on 31 March.
He praised the role of the Permanent Representation of Croatia in Brussels in those efforts.