22/05/2026 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission authorised, on Friday 22 May, French national aid worth €13 million to help fishing companies cope with higher fuel prices due to the crisis in the Middle East (see EUROPE 13862/13). The scheme was authorised under the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework (METSAF), adopted on 29 April. This is the first scheme authorised under METSAF. The French aid will apply until 31 December 2026, covering costs from April and May 2026. The aid will take the form of direct grants based on volume of fuel purchased. Companies may receive €0.20 per litre of fuel purchased from 1 to 30 April 2026 and €0.35 per litre of fuel purchased from 1 to 31 May 2026. The Commission considered that the scheme complied with the conditions set out in METSAF. (LC)