29/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Commission wrote to Austrian authorities on 29 October “offering its assistance in connection with the on-going privatisation process of Austria Airlines,” a press release says. In concrete terms, this means the Commission is ready to hold discussions with Vienna and to provide advice to help the authorities avoid infringing Community law in the planned privatisation, a spokesman for DG Transport said. The Commission also “took the opportunity” - once again, according to the terms of its press release - to point out to the Austrian authorities their duty to notify all state aid to the Commission prior to its being put into operation. This reminder, according to one observer, was the real purpose of the Commission's letter. (C.D./transl.rt)