Answer given by Mr Gentiloni on behalf of the European Commission
6.7.2021
The Commission is not in a position to comment on Lithuania’s recovery and resilience plan (RRP), currently under assessment.
Article 18(4)(q) of the RRF Regulation[1] and the Commission guidance to Member States on the RRPs[2], indicate that RRPs should include a summary of the consultation process conducted in accordance with the national legal framework and describe how stakeholder inputs are taken into account and reflected during the preparation of the RRPs.
The Commission underlines the key role of local and regional authorities, social partners, civil society organisations, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of the RRPs, as broad citizen ownership of the RRPs is crucial for the success of the RRF.
The extent to which the RRP takes into account stakeholder consultations can contribute to its lasting impact, which is one of the assessment criteria listed by the RRF Regulation.
The Commission has also stressed in the communication on the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021[3] that it will be crucial for Member States to engage in a broad policy dialogue with social partners and all other relevant stakeholders to prepare their RRPs.
The Commission guidance also indicates that investments in sustainable food production and consumption in line with the objectives set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy can be considered good examples of investments supporting the green transition.
Nevertheless, it is incumbent on Member States to appreciate which key challenges should be best addressed through their RRPs. While the RRPs must satisfy the criteria set by the RRF Regulation, no specific policy area can be considered mandatory.