On Friday 19 October, the European Commission approved Greek financial support of €306 million to build a section of motorway.
Athens notified the measure to the Commission in January 2018. It intends to provide aid to the company Kentriki Odos SA to build a new section of the central Greek motorway (E65), which principally serves the Sterea Ellada region.
The institution assessed the aid measure in the light of article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which authorises State aid aiming to support the development of certain activities or regions.
It considered that this support would help to meet the objectives of the EU transport policy by supporting connections for residents of the Sterea Ellada region and that it was necessary and proportionate, particularly as the company will pay for the operation and maintenance of the motorway section itself.
The Commission therefore concluded that the measure was compliant with the EU rules on State aid. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)