03/02/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 3 February, the European Commission approved the modification of an existing Italian scheme to support companies operating in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in the context of the war in Ukraine. The amendment was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, which was adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July and 28 October 2022. The Commission approved the original system in August 2022 (limited amounts of aid, support in the form of guarantees, subsidised loans, aid for additional costs due to exceptionally severe increases in natural gas and electricity prices). Italy has notified the following modifications: - a budget increase by €240 million; - an extension of the scheme until 31 December 2023; and - an increase of the maximum aid ceilings. (LC)