Digging deep for reform
The EU executive said Poland would be allowed to grant zł.160 million each year from 2007 to 2010 to its 40 coal mines, on top of some zł.6.2 billion in aid envisaged for 2004-2006.
"The Commission considers that the proposed aid is compatible with the common market," it said.
The funds will be extended under special rules that partly exempt the coal sector from the bloc's strict state aid regulations until 2010. The Commission also approved permission for Germany to grant EUR 12 (zł.48.2) billion in state aid until 2010 to 10 coal mines, where output is to shrink to 18.5 million tonnes in 2010 from 27 billion in 2004.
Hungary, which has closed most of its mines since the fall of communism in 1989, will be allowed to grant EUR 255 (zł.1,023) million in state aid to its eight pits. (Reuters)
"The Commission considers that the proposed aid is compatible with the common market," it said.
The funds will be extended under special rules that partly exempt the coal sector from the bloc's strict state aid regulations until 2010. The Commission also approved permission for Germany to grant EUR 12 (zł.48.2) billion in state aid until 2010 to 10 coal mines, where output is to shrink to 18.5 million tonnes in 2010 from 27 billion in 2004.
Hungary, which has closed most of its mines since the fall of communism in 1989, will be allowed to grant EUR 255 (zł.1,023) million in state aid to its eight pits. (Reuters)
