06/08/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has Authorised a six months prolongation, until 17 February 2010, of a Swedish recapitalisation scheme for credit institutions. The Commission found the prolongation of the measures, initially approved on 11 February 2009, to be in line with its guidance on support measures for banks during the financial crisis. In particular, the extended measures are limited in time, contain sufficient safeguards to ensure that the public capital is used to sustain lending to the real economy and require a significant proportion of private investment alongside with the state intervention. The Commission has, therefore, concluded that they represent an appropriate means of remedying a serious disturbance in the Swedish economy and as such are compatible with Article 87(3)(b) of the EC Treaty. (A.B./transl.rt)