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Berlin (dpa) - The federal government and several other countries have given the go-ahead for the implementation of the billion-dollar European corona reconstruction fund.

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz wants to put the German share almost entirely into climate protection and digitization.

"We are sending a clear signal for a climate-friendly and digital future," said the SPD politician on Tuesday.

The cabinet approved its development plan, which is to be submitted at EU level in the coming days.

The construction aid agreed in summer 2020 is intended to help the 27 EU countries get back on their feet after the pandemic.

Part of the money is available as grants and part as a loan.

For this, the EU states want to take on debt together.

Scholz described the development fund as a “new chapter in Europe's history”.

Germany expects grants totaling almost 26 billion euros net from the pot.

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According to the current status, the first aid funds should flow from the summer.

However, the states must state in advance exactly what they want to use the billions for.

Actually until April 30th - but there are doubts whether everyone will make it.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced a detailed examination of whether the construction plans of the EU states meet the common high standards.

"We know exactly where we want to go," said von der Leyen in Brussels.

The goal is a greener, more digital and more crisis-proof Europe.

"We have 750 billion euros to build our Union of the future," said the Commission head.

«This is an opportunity of the century for Europe.

This is a historic moment. "

90 percent of the grants for Germany are to flow into climate projects and digital transformation, such as hydrogen research, climate-friendly mobility and a more digitally oriented education system.

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The purchase of electric cars, buses and trains is to be promoted and the charging infrastructure is to be expanded.

"Climate protection is the greatest challenge of our time," emphasized Scholz.

In addition, three billion euros are to flow into modern emergency equipment and hospital infrastructure.

The environmental organization WWF criticized the plans as half-hearted and tired.

However, economic researchers also expect the investments to have a positive effect on economic performance and employment in Germany.

They expect that the gross domestic product is likely to be two percent higher in the long term than without the development measures.

France and Italy also presented their construction plans.

With more than 190 billion euros, Italy is the largest recipient of money from the European fund.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi wants to use the money to build the “Italy of tomorrow”. The investment goals include high-speed trains and houses that use less energy, more plastic recycling and eco-agriculture, and a reform of the judiciary.

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France's Economics and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called on the EU Commission to examine the national reconstruction plans “as quickly as possible” so that money could flow in from the end of the summer.

Since last year, when the European Corona aid package was agreed, time has been lost, he criticized: “China is growing again, the USA is booming.

The EU has to stay in the race. "

From the French national plan of around 100 billion euros, 30 billion euros have already been pledged.

He assured that the heavily indebted France would remain on the reform course.

With a view to the controversial pension reform, which has been put on hold, he said: "We have to wait until the Covid crisis is over."

Observers in Paris doubt that the center government will resume reform before the presidential elections next spring.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210427-99-374881 / 2