Tag Archives: state aid

France aid granted to ALSTOM and RATP joint subsidiary METROLAB is in line with EU State aid rules

Brussels, Belgium, 20-11-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Commission has decided that aid granted by France to ALSTOM and the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) – through their joint subsidiary METROLAB – for the implementation of the research and development (R&D) … Read the full press release

Debt write-off for Slovak alcohol producer Frucona Košice found incompatible with EU state aid rules by the the European Commission

Brussels, Belgium, 18-10-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — Following a judgment by the EU Court of Justice (ECJ) (case C-73/11 P) on its previous decision (case C25/2005), the European Commission has adopted a new decision confirming that a Slovak SKK 416.5 million (€11 million) write-off of … Read the full press release

The European Commission found Greek state aid to four gas infrastructure projects in line with EU state aid rules

Brussels, Belgium, 16-10-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Commission has found that aid to four projects aimed at improving and expanding the Greek gas network complies with EU state aid rules. These projects aim at increasing the gas transmission capacity and security … Read the full press release

EU General Court validates EC’s decision in Case T-275/11 Télévision française 1 (TF1) v Commission

The General Court confirms the validity of the Commission Decision according to which the long-term funding mechanism of France Télévisions constitutes State aid compatible with the internal market  Luxembourg, 16-10-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — Within the context of the reform of public broadcasting, France … Read the full press release

EC: Calabria bus services company Simet SpA is not entitled to public service compensation under EU state aid rules

Brussels, Belgium, 02-10-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Commission has concluded that a planned monetary compensation in favour of Simet SpA, which provides bus services to and from Calabria, is incompatible with EU state aid rules. By a judgment of March 2010, … Read the full press release

EC approves €20.5M state aid granted by France to Renault for diesel hybrid commercial vehicles research

Brussels, Belgium, 02-10-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Commission has decided that the aid granted by France to the motor vehicle manufacturer Renault to help it conduct the ‘HYDIVU’ research and development programme complies with the EU rules on state aid. The … Read the full press release

France’s €571.9M restructuring aid granted to PSA Peugeot Citroën group has been approved by the European Commission

30-7-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — Following an in-depth investigation (see IP/13/392), the European Commission has concluded that restructuring aid of EUR 571.9 million granted by France to the PSA group is compatible with the internal market. In particular, the updated structuring plan will help to restore … Read the full press release

The European Commission decisions on German support schemes in favour of energy-intensive industries

18-7-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has adopted two separate decisions on German support schemes in favour of energy-intensive industries. Firstly, the Commission has concluded that a scheme compensating energy-intensive users for CO2 costs in their electricity price as of … Read the full press release

Support granted by Latvia to Latvian Mortgage and Land Bank found in line with EU state aid rules

17-7-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has found support granted by Latvia for the transformation of the Latvian Mortgage and Land Bank (MLB) to be in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the sale of MLB’s commercial assets … Read the full press release

EC to investigate public cable infrastructures transfer to French private telecom Numéricâble

17-7-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to verify whether the transfer of public cable infrastructure between 2003 and 2006 by several French municipalities to the French Telecom operator Numéricâble was in line with EU state … Read the full press release

EU Court of Justice’s Advocate General Jääskinen issued opinion in Case C-262/12 Vent de Colère and Others

The financial burden arising from the obligation to purchase the electricity generated by wind turbines at more than the market price applies to all electricity consumers in France 16-7-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — According to EU law, as interpreted by the Court … Read the full press release

EC found Greek state aid for the Port of Piraeus is in line with EU state aid rules

Brussels, 3-7-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has found a €113.9 million Greek support for an infrastructure project of €120 million at the Port of Piraeus to be in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the project will further … Read the full press release

EC to investigate Slovenian state aid to Renault subsidiary Revoz

Brussels, 3-7-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether Slovenian plans to grant public financing to car maker Revoz, d.d., a subsidiary of Renault S.A of France for an investment project in the Novo Mesto … Read the full press release

EC approved regions of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein guarantee provided to German bank HSH Nordbank

Brussels, 24-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission has provisionally approved the restoring of the guarantee provided by the regions of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein in favour of HSH Nordbank from EUR 7 billion to the original framework of EUR 10 billion under … Read the full press release

Spanish €260M scheme to finance terrestrial digital platform operators found incompatible with EU State aid rules

Brussels, 20-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that a Spanish €260 million scheme to finance the digitisation and extension of the terrestrial television network in remote areas of Spain was incompatible with EU State aid rules. The measure favours … Read the full press release

EC to investigate Sweden and Denmark public support measure to Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

Brussels, 20-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to verify whether a public support measure granted in 2012 by Sweden and Denmark to Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission has … Read the full press release

Amendment to Croatian shipyard 3.Maj restructuring plan approved by the European Commission

Brussels, 20-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has authorised under EU state aid rules an amendment to the restructuring plan for 3.Maj, one of the Croatian shipyards in difficulty. The Commission concluded that any distortion of competition that may arise from … Read the full press release

EC concludes ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal privatisation does not constitute state aid

Brussels, 20-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that the privatisation of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, S.A. was carried out on market terms and therefore did not involve any state aid in the meaning of EU rules. ANA has … Read the full press release

The European Commission Guidelines to Member States on regional aid 2014-2020

Brussels, 19-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission has adopted guidelines on how Member States can grant investment aid to companies in order to support the development of disadvantaged regions in Europe between 2014 and 2020. These guidelines are part of … Read the full press release

EC approved France plans to impose parafiscal levy on online horse-race betting

Brussels, 19-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has approved a French proposal for a parafiscal levy on online horse-race betting to finance horse‑racing companies. The changes made to the proposal by the French authorities after the opening of the Commission investigation ensure … Read the full press release

The European Commission: investment aid for German airport Memmingen in line with EU state aid rules

Brussels, 6-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has found that investment aid totalling €7.75 million to finance an infrastructure project at Memmingen airport is in line with EU state aid rules. Memmingen airport is a small regional airport located in South … Read the full press release

The European Commission approved the conversion of Walloon Region residual claim into Sonaca equity

Brussels, 5-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has approved a plan by the Walloon Region to convert into equity a residual claim of €43.5 million held against the Belgian aeronautics company Sonaca, in which the Region has a 92.29% holding. The Commission … Read the full press release

Ryanair welcomed EU Court Confirmation That European Commission Failed To Investigate “State Aid” granted to Alitalia

16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC), today (16 May) welcomed the EU Court’s ruling which confirmed that the European Commission has failed to investigate “State Aid” granted to Alitalia. Ryanair had initially notified the European Commission … Read the full press release

EC approved Istituto Sviluppo Agroalimentare equity investment in Ferrarini Group-controlled NewCo

Brussels, 16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —   The European Commission approved today a €12.5 million equity investment by the Italian public investor Istituto Sviluppo Agroalimentare (ISA) in the share capital of the company NewCo, controlled by the Ferrarini Group. The Commission concluded that … Read the full press release

Ford España under EC investigation for proposed public financing

Brussels 16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to examine whether Spanish plans to grant public financing to the Ford group for an investment project in the Valencia region are in line with EU state aid … Read the full press release

EC temporarily approves €100m rescue aid for LOT Polish Airlines by the Polish government

Brussels, 16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that a rescue loan of PLN 400 million (around €100 million) granted by the Polish government to LOT Polish Airlines was in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission found, in … Read the full press release

EC approved €39.8m France aid for “Genesys” research programme

Brussels, 15-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission has decided that the aid granted by France to the P.I.V.E.R.T. Institut d’Excellence en Énergies Décarbonées (IEED, institute of excellence in the field of low-carbon energy) to conduct the Genesys research and development … Read the full press release

EC finds Copenhagen multiarena public co-financing in line with EU state aid rules

Brussels, 15-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that the proposed public co-financing of a new multiarena in Copenhagen, Denmark was in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the Commission found that the public funding was both proportionate … Read the full press release

EC to investigate public financing for German paper mill Propapier after EU General Court judgment

Brussels, 15-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — State aid: Commission opens investigation into public financing for German paper mill Propapier after Court judgment After the annulment of its 2008 decision to authorise a regional investment aid granted by Germany to Propapier for the construction … Read the full press release

EC clears Banco CEISS restructuring plan

Brussels, 14-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that a modification to Banco CEISS’ restructuring plan, opening the door for an acquisition of the bank by Unicaja Banco, is in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the Commission … Read the full press release

The EC approved liquidation aid for the Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE Bank)

Brussels, 6-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that liquidation aid granted by Greece in favour of Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE Bank) was in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the Commission found that the aid was … Read the full press release

EC finds public co-financing of Uppsala arena in Sweden is in line with EU state aid rules

Brussels, 6-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission has concluded that the proposed public co-financing of a new multi-purpose arena in Uppsala, Sweden was in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the Commission found that the public funding was … Read the full press release

EC to investigate PSA Peugeot Citroën group restructuring plan

Brussels,  3-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — State aid: Commission opens an in-depth investigation into the restructuring of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group The European Commission has opened an in‑depth investigation to determine whether the PSA group’s restructuring plan is compatible with the European Union’s … Read the full press release

EC reopened inquiry into the tax aid awarded to Electricité de France following Court judgment

Brussels, 3-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has reopened an inquiry into certain tax measures for Electricité de France (EDF) related to the electricity grid. This follows a judgment handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union (Case C-124/10 P) … Read the full press release

EC authorised Belgian plans to compensate the Belgian post

Brussels, 3-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has authorised under EU state aid rules Belgian plans to compensate the Belgian postal incumbent bpost for discharging a series of public service obligations between 2013 and 2015. The Commission found the measures to … Read the full press release

The EC formally proposed to the Netherlands to abolish the selective tax exemption for public companies

Brussels, 3-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has formally proposed to the Netherlands to abolish the exemption from corporate tax granted to Dutch public undertakings. The Commission considers that public companies that carry out economic activities in competition with private companies … Read the full press release

EC final public consultation on state aid criteria for films and audiovisual works

Brussels, 1-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has launched the third and final public consultation in its review of the state aid criteria it uses to assess Member States’ support schemes for films and other audiovisual works. The criteria are set out … Read the full press release

The European Commission extended the Estonian Air state aid investigation opened in February 2013

Brussels, 18-4-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — State aid: Commission extends inquiry into public support measures for Estonian Air The European Commission has extended the scope of an in-depth investigation opened in February 2013 into public support measures in favour of Estonian Air (see IP/13/133) … Read the full press release

The European Commission to investigate the proposed UK video games tax relief

Brussels, 18-4-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed UK video games tax relief. The objective of the measure is to provide an incentive to video games developers to produce games meeting certain cultural criteria. … Read the full press release