Brussels, 13/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to extend for one year the validity of the aid framework for the automotive sector. It also took decisions on several aid cases: a) opening an investigation into German aid of EUR 24 million to Graf von Henneberg Porzellan, b) authorising the German scheme for aid to the shipbuilding sector for 2000, c) expanding its investigation into Spanish aid to Balcock Wilcox España (BWE) to aid elements relating to privatisation of the firm, d) closing the investigation into the conditions of the sale of Kali und Salz by the German state, concluding that no state aid was involved, e) authorising the aid scheme for the SME Development Fund, in France. EUROPE will be back with details.