Europese Commissie akkoord met Spaanse staatssteun waarmee 1 miljard euro wordt besteed aan herstructurering kolenindustrie (en)

The European Commission has decided today not to raise any objections to the restructuring plan for the Spanish coal industry for the period 2003 to 2005.

The Commission finds that, with its proposed restructuring measures, Spain continues to reduce significantly its state subsidies for the coal industry and, at the same time, takes account of the social and regional importance of this industry. Spain will also continue to reduce its mining capacity. The plan is therefore compatible with the proper functioning of the common market. Spain has granted approximately € 1 billion annually to its coal industry in that period.

On 30 March 2004, the Commission started an investigation procedure as it had doubts whether the notified restructuring measures could be legally justified. The Commission considered that the plan was not detailed enough.

After having examined the additional information provided by the Spanish government, the Commission has come to the conclusion that the proposed aid measures respect the provisions of the Council Regulation on State aid to the coal industry^[1] and are therefore compatible with the proper functioning of the common market.

^[1] Council Regulation (EC) No 1407/2002 of 23 July 2002 on State aid to the coal industry, OJ L.205, p.1, 2.8.2002