Brussels, 31/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission closed its formal investigation of the original Dutch proposal for a regional State aid map for the period 2000-2006. The formal investigation was opened on the 10 August 1999 under Article 88, paragraph 2, of EC Treaty. The Dutch authorities notified the Commission, on 28 April 1999, a proposal for a regional aid map for the period 2000-2006, proposal that was judged not to be in accordance with the guidelines concerning this type of aid. Taking into account its decision to re-examine the regional aid systems in the all the Member States (see article above) the Commission expressed its doubts as to the conformity of the map with regulations on State aid, notably bringing into question the use of municipalities as basic geographic units for the demarcation of the assisted areas and about the lack of compactness of the proposed regions. It also questioned the aid intensity ceiling proposed by the Netherlands for the region of "Overig Groningen." Following discussions with the Commission, the Dutch authorities agreed to withdraw their original proposal notified, on 3 April 2000, a modified proposal, which is now being examined by the Commission.