Brussels, 07/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, under the EC Treaty's state aid rules, the European Commission approved the new regional aid maps for France for 2007-2013 (see EUROPE 9380). The adoption of regional aid maps is a precondition for the continuity of EU regional policy and Structural Funds beyond 1 January 2007 (all the previous aid maps expired on 31 December 2006). France brings the total of approved regional aid maps to 25 for 2007-2013, leaving only Italy and the Netherlands to go. In practice, this means that as of 1 January 2007, Italy and the Netherlands cannot grant regional aid to failing companies, explained a spokesperson for Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
Validation of the French map follows on from the agreement in principle struck in Brussels on 31 January between Neelie Kroes and Christian Estrosi, France's Planning Minister. In a press release Estrosi said that adoption of the regional aid map meant that France would be able to support companies that are investing and creating jobs in more than 5500 communities across France. He said the aid would boost industrial development, adjustment and diversification in the communities in question, which was excellent in terms of France's attractiveness and excellent for Europe. Kroes stressed that the regional aid map backed the EU's cohesion policy and contributed to its action plan to reduce state aid and better target it. (gb)