Brussels, 6 January 2023
The European Commission has found the amendments to an existing Slovenian scheme to support companies in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine to be in line with the State Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022.
The Commission approved the original scheme on 30 June 2022 (SA.102841) and its subsequent amendment on 23 September 2022 (SA. SA.104110). Under this measure, the aid takes the form of (i) limited amounts of aid in the form of loans; (ii) liquidity support in the form of subsidised loans; and (iii) aid in the form of loans for additional costs due to severe increases in natural gas and electricity prices.
Slovenia notified, among others, the following amendments to the existing scheme: (i) an overall budget increase by €230 million; (ii) an extension of the period, in relation to which aid may be granted, until 31 December 2023; (iii) a modification of the duration and interest rates of the loans; and (iv) an increase of the maximum aid ceilings, in line with the Temporary Crisis Framework as amended on 28 October 2022. The Commission found that the scheme, as modified, continues to be in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework and remains necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the amendments under EU State aid rules.
More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.105176 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source – EU Commission