European funds are still here, and their implementation is not in question, Pavic told a press conference in the National and University Library in Zagreb, where he presented a package of measures aimed at helping EU funds beneficiaries directly affected by the crisis caused by the coronavirus.
According to the data he provided, the incumbent government raised the contracting rate of EU-funded projects from 9% to 90%, with 34% of the funding already disbursed.
This means that out of an envelope worth €10.7 billion we still have €7.1 billion to disburse, or over HRK 53 billion for the existing and some future contracts, which the beneficiaries and entrepreneurs will receive over the next three years, Pavic said.
He also underscored that Croatia had received from the European Commission advances for 2019 and 2020, which were worth €244 million.
This means that since joining the EU we have drawn HRK 25.6 billion more from the European budget than we have paid membership fees, said the Regional Development and EU Funds Minister.
As for the coronavirus pandemic situation, Pavic underscored that by redistributing allocations within the existing operational programmes an additional €400 million had been found for the procurement of medical equipment, loans for entrepreneurs and job preservation schemes.