21/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - Approval of UK plans to relieve the Royal Mail Group (RMG) from excessive pension costs relating to its past monopoly position and to provide RMG with restructuring aid. On Wednesday 21 March, the European Commission approved UK plans to relieve the Royal Mail Group (RMG) from excessive pension costs relating to its past monopoly position and to provide RMG with restructuring aid consisting of a debt reduction of £1.089 billion (around €1.311 billion). The Commission says that the RMG's revised restructuring plan will ensure “a sustainable future for the group in its twofold function of providing universal postal services and of granting access to its delivery network to other providers in the UK.” Moreover, the plan negotiated with the Commission includes appropriate measures to minimise distortions of competition induced by the aid. (OL/transl.fl)