13/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 13 July, the European Commission approved a Dutch measure to compensate damage to real estate following earthquakes caused by gas extraction in the province of Groningen. Management of the aid, through the sale or repair of goods damaged, will be ensured by a non-profit foundation, three-quarters of which is financed by a private company dealing in gas extraction, and one quarter being financed (in the form of a €10 million subsidy) by the Dutch state. The Commission above all welcomed the fact that the funding of repairs would be covered by the company, in line with the “polluter pays” principle. Considering that aid would ensure the continuity of real estate transactions in the area, without conferring an advantage on the company, the Commission states that the measure does not constitute state aid. (LT)