06/12/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 6 December, the European Commission approved a draft French decree to provide financial support to national political and general information publications with low advertising resources. The aim of the decree is to preserve the diversity of publications on offer. The draft, which will be set in place until 31 December 2022, has been budgeted at €24 million. The measure will take the form of direct grants to the publications. The Commission, which noted that the plan would not create any significant competition distortion of the single market, as it serves a common interest, does not alter trading conditions between member states and complies with the principle of proportionality, concluded that it was compatible with EU state aid rules. (LT)