Brussels, 12/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised an extension in the measure for refinancing French financial institutions, initially approved on 31 October 2008. The Commission considers that these measures guarantee the financial stability of the country and are therefore compatible with Article 87, paragraph 3, point b) of the EU treaty authorising state aid aimed at tackling serious perturbations of a member state's economy. Neelie Kroes, the Commissioner for competition said, “the extension of refinancing measures for the financial institutions provides France with effective tools for re-establishing confidence in the financial system and ensuring refinancing of the economy, while providing safeguards against distorting competition”. (H.D./trans/rh)