21/01/2019 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission considered on Monday 21 January that the Austrian State's sale of 25% plus two shares to Landes-Hypothekenbank Steiermark AG (Hypo Steiermark) to the private bank Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG did not involve State aid. The latter now holds 75% minus two shares of Hypo Steiermark's capital and has a pre-emptive right to acquire the remaining shares. After having been notified of the sale and submitted the valuation of the shares concerned to independent experts, the Commission considered that the sale price of the shares concerned was in line with market conditions. It is therefore considered that this sale did not involve any State aid within the meaning of Union law. (LT)