Brussels, 25/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 January, the European Commission opened formal inquiries into public support for two purchasers of assets of the Gdynia shipyard, which is under liquidation. Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia said: “We are opening formal investigations to determine whether certain purchasers have benefited from public support on terms more favourable than market conditions”. In November 2008, the Commission concluded that state aid granted, notably to the Gdynia shipyard, breached European state aid rules and had to be repaid. The Polish authorities committed to selling the yard's assets through tender procedures and subsequently liquidating the Gdynia shipyard. The Commission made clear that no additional state aid should be granted and that the assets must be purchased under market conditions. (LC/transl.rt)