Brussels, 16/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - French Secretary of State for Transport Frédéric Cuvillier presented the French government's motorway building plan in Brussels on Friday 16 May to Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.
The French government said in a press release that the plan would create 15,000 jobs at a cost of €3.6 billion, which would be entirely borne by the private sector. In exchange, three motorway operators would see their contracts extended by an average of three years. The French government press release added that Frédéric Cuvillier has promised not to ask for any further extensions before the end of the contracts scheduled for between 2017 and 2032.
SNCM. During his meeting with the commissioner, Cuvillier raised the question of the ferry company, SNCM, that runs services between Corsica and the French mainland and which is subject to infringement proceedings in Brussels that jeopardise the company's future after it was fined €440 million. The fines are for public aid that the European Commission says was not granted lawfully and must be recovered (see EUROPE 10997). Cuvillier has offered to work closely with the Commission to find a solution that will preserve jobs and ensure “territorial continuity” between Corsica and the mainland. (EL)