With the assistance of the EU and the adopted law we will ensure a "quality and sustainable" reconstruction of Zagreb and its environs, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Friday after the European Commission (EC) recommendation to help Croatia with €683.7 million.

Zagreb and it environs were struck by a devastating earthquake on 22 March measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale causing damage estimated at HRK 86 billion (€11.4 bn).

“We are pleased with the EC’s recommendation that Croatia be granted €683.7 million in support from the EU Solidarity Fund after it received a well prepared request from the Croatian government,” Plenkovic tweeted.

The EC recommendation still needs to be approved by the European Council and European Parliament and the funds will be immediately available after that. The first instalment of €88.9 million was already paid out in August as an advance payment.

“That financial help will contribute to the process of repairing the damage of the destructive earthquake that struck Zagreb. With the help of the EU and the legislative framework we adopted, we will ensure a quality and sustainable reconstruction of Zagreb and its environs,” added Plenkovic.

Assistance for Croatia is part of broader package of 823 million that the EC proposed on Friday.

The remainder of the package is earmarked for Poland following disastrous floods (€7 million) and an advance payment of €132.7 million to help with the health crisis in several countries – Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal.