the eu expressed concern over delays in italys implementation of reforms under its postpandemic recovery plan according to a report published on wednesday italy the european unions thirdlargest economy and one of its most indebted is the main beneficiary under the blocs 800billioneuro 860 billion covid recovery package some 689 billion euros in grants and 1226 billion euros in loans have been earmarked for italy as part of europes largest ever stimulus package known as nextgenerationeu in return italy has agreed to a timetable to implement economic reforms some of which will likely be hard for prime minister georgia melonis populist government to stomach on wednesday the european commission the eus executive arm presented its recommendations to member states and called on italy to act fast to address any issues the implementation of italys recovery and resilience plan is underway however with increasing risk of delays the commission wrote in a report on italy proceeding swiftly with the implementation of the plan  is essential due to the temporary nature of the recovery and resilience facility in place until 2026 brussels has already disbursed 42 billion euros but in march this year the eu froze a third scheduled payment worth 19 billion euros pending clarifications on italys plans brussels wants the money to be spent on projects that boost europes transition to a greener and more digital economy and on infrastructure especially the rail sector but some of the projects on which italy plans to use the money have raised eyebrows in brussels including the renovation of a football stadium in florence