Brussels, 27/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission adopted its annual report on the implementation of the Steel Aid Code in 2000.
The European Commission took decisions last year concerning seventeen cases, five of which were approved without opening the formal investigation procedure, eight were the object of final decisions and the other four of a decision to initiate proceedings. The most problematic cases were those of investment aid for environmental protection. In three of those cases, the Commission took an initial decision to initiate proceedings and in one case involving five companies it took a final negative decision. It also took two partially negative decisions in two other such cases.
The Commission also took a final negative decision concerning the regional aid that Germany had granted to Salzgitter. In the case of Cockerill, it took a final negative decision, considering that the employment aid granted by Belgium was illegal and incompatible with the common market. In two cases of tax credits for foreign investment made by steel companies, it took a negative decision concerning Spanish law and initiated proceedings in the case of French law.
Community Decision No. 2496/96/ECSC of 18 December 1996 establishing Community rules for state aid to the steel industry requires the Commission to draw up annual reports on its implementation. The implementation of individual decisions on aid for the restructuring of certain steel companies is the object of a separate, twice-yearly monitoring report.