27/08/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 27 August, the European Commission announced approval of a new modification to the structural fund and investment programmes in Catalonia and Navarre, allowing EUR 180 million to be redirected within the framework of the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII and CRII+) (see EUROPE 12469/5). These changes to the programmes increases the European cofinancing rate to 100%. Spain plans to use a total of EUR 2.5 billion from the European Regional Development Fund to help health services cope with the consequences of the virus. By 24 August, the European Commission had approved 127 amendments to programmes in 20 Member States (see other news). (PH)