Conferences and speeches
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Polish shipyards: Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin
Introductory remarks at VIP corner with Polish Treasury Minister Aleksander Grad, Brussels, Neelie Kroes
2 June 2009
"I am very happy and proud today to see that our common efforts – of the Polish authorities and the Commission – are finally leading to a positive outcome for these historically important shipyards.
I am confident that this outcome will benefit not only the employees of the yard and Poland, but also the European economy and our sense of solidarity."
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Review of Insurance Block Exemption Regulation
Keynote speech at the Insurance Block Exemption Regulation Conference, Brussels, Neelie Kroes
2 June 2009
"But being serious again, a competitive environment in the insurance industry is crucial to European economic growth.
If more people can get the types of insurance they need at fair prices, which is what competition helps to deliver – then we are all better off."
Court
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C-8/08
and Court's press release
4 June 2009
The Court ruled on a preliminary question on the interpretation of Article 81 EC-Treaty, referred by a Dutch Court.
The Court found that a single meeting can, under certain circumstances, constitute a concerted practice in the meaning of Article 81 EC Treaty.
It ruled furthermore, that national Courts had to apply the presumption, established in the Court's case law, that a causal connection exists between the concerted practice and the market conduct of the companies participating.
State aid
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Commission approves Swedish state guarantees for Volvo Cars
5 June 2009
The Commission approved plans notified by Sweden to provide guarantees that would enable Volvo Personvagnar (Volvo PV) to access loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The loans would co-finance the development of environment-friendly cars. The measures are in line with EU state aid rules, because Volvo would pay an adequate remuneration for the guarantee and provide sufficient securities in case the guarantee would be drawn.
10% of the guarantees will be provided on market conditions and therefore do not constitute state aid.
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Commission approves amendment to German crisis measure allowing aid of up to €500.000
5 June 2009
The Commission approved an amendment to a German scheme allowing to grant aid of up to €500.000 per company, initially approved on 30 December 2008 (see
IP/08/2063).
The amendment will allow more flexible risk-capital investments until 2010.
It is in line with EU state aid rules, because it is limited in time and only applies to companies that were not in difficulties on 1 July 2008.
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Commission approves Greek reduced interest rate scheme to boost real economy
3 June 2009
The Commission approved a Greek scheme allowing to grant reduced interest rates on loans, designed to help firms that encounter financial difficulties as a result of the current credit squeeze.
The measure is in line with EU state aid rules, because it is limited in time and only applies to companies that were not in difficulties before 1 July 2008.
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Commission authorises temporary Greek scheme for subsidised state guarantees to boost real economy
3 June 2009
The Commission approved a Greek scheme allowing to grant subsidised guarantees for investment and working capital loans, designed to help companies encountering financing difficulties as a result of the current credit squeeze.
The measure is in line with EU state aid rules, because it is limited in time, respects the relevant thresholds and applies only to companies that were not in difficulty on 1 July 2008.
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Commission adopts guidance on training aid and aid to disadvantaged and disabled workers
3 June 2009
The Commission adopted two guidance papers setting out criteria for the in-depth assessment of large amounts of training aid and of aid to disadvantaged and disabled workers.
The guidance outlines the kind of information required by the Commission for its assessment and the assessment methodology, which is based on the balancing of the positive and negative effects of the aid.
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Commission adopts guidance on training aid and aid to disadvantaged and disabled workers - frequently asked questions
3 June 2009
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Commission authorises temporary Finnish scheme allowing limited amounts of aid to boost real economy
3 June 2009
The Commission approved a Finnish scheme allowing to grant aid of up to €500.000 per company and designed to help companies encountering financing difficulties as a result of the current credit squeeze.
The measure is in line with EU state aid rules, because it is limited in time, respects the relevant thresholds and applies only to companies that were not in difficulties before 1 July 2008.
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Competition Commissioner Kroes meets Polish Treasury Minister Aleksander Grad to review progress at Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin shipyards
2 June 2009
Commissioner Kroes met Polish Treasury Minister Aleksander Grad in Brussels to review progress at the Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin shipyards, under state aid investigation by the Commission since 2005 (see IP
IP/05/644).
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Commission endorses Italian reduced interest rate loan scheme to boost real economy
2 June 2009
The Commission approved an Italian scheme allowing to grant aid in the form of reduced interest rates on loans aimed at firms that encounter financial difficulties as a result of the current credit squeeze.
The scheme is in line with EU state aid rules, because it is limited in time and only applies to companies that were not in difficulties before 1 July 2008.
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Commission endorses rescue aid for German HSH Nordbank
29 May 2009
The Commission authorised a €3 billion recapitalisation and €10 billion risk shield for the German bank HSH Nordbank as temporary rescue aid, because they constitute an adequate means to rescue a bank whose failure would have been likely to provoke a serious disturbance in the German financial sector.
Within three months, Germany has to submit a viable plan for the future of HSH Nordbank.
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