Pressure from Italy is helping "unblock" Hungary and Poland's veto over the European Union's 750 billion euro stimulus fund to help its economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said in comments livestreamed on Facebook.
"Hungary and Poland are currently blocking the recovery fund's implementation. It seems the veto is lifting, also thanks to pressure from Italy," Di Maio said.
"Enough politicised clashing over the recovery fund. I appeal for unity. Let's find a solution together without unilateral actions and initiatives," Di Maio stated.
Hungary and Poland, both under EU scrutiny for allegedly undermining judicial and media independence, are blocking the recovery fund and the 2021-2027 budget - totalling 1.8 trillion euros - because the money is conditional on respect for the rule of law and democracy.
