Brussels, 28/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission extended until next 31 December the validity of the Community guidelines for State aid in favour of the environment. The present guidelines expire on the 30 June 2000, but the new guidelines are not yet ready, the Commission's preliminary draft having raised negative reactions from the Parliament and Council.
During last week's Environment Council in Luxembourg, the Ministers notably insisted for the Commission to take into account the European strategy for renewable energy and cleaning-up measures for industrial areas. "The Commission services are presently preparing a new preliminary draft guideline to take into account the methods of attributing the aid now used by the Member States," indicates the Commission in its Communiqué. The Commission intends to organise in September a consultation meeting on the new guidelines."