16/12/2020 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament adopted by an overwhelming majority (654 votes to 23, with 17 abstentions), in plenary session on Wednesday 16 December, the Interinstitutional Agreement on the Regulation establishing React-EU, the €47.5 billion emergency support package to help regions cope with the consequences of the coronavirus until 2023. The Regulation will be retroactive and will cover projects from the start of the crisis, from 1 February 2020, and will include a very high pre-financing rate to provide rapid liquidity to regions in need. The European Commission will have to approve the projects within a maximum of two weeks. The co-financing rate may be up to 100% (see EUROPE 12604/2). (PH)