Brussels, 07/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 7 December, the European Commission gave the go-ahead to the extension until 30 June 2013 of the German bank aid programme to stabilise the financial market by providing cash and guarantees to certain banks, mostly the same ones as were included in the initial bailout approved on 28 October 2008 but with final amendments to the list made on 29 June 2012. Changes have been made to how the scheme is financed and a three-year step-up clause. The scheme will now apply strictly to banks, and other financial bodies will no longer be eligible for it. The Commission says the extension meets the requirements laid down in the Commission's state aid rules for banks during a crisis because the measures are well targeted, proportionate and limited in time and scope. It says they will help solve a serious upheaval in the German economy and are compatible with the EU treaty's state aid rules. (OL/transl.fl)