Brussels, 3 February 2023
The European Commission has approved an amendment to an existing Italian scheme to support companies active in the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The amendment was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), recognising that the EU economy is experiencing a serious disturbance.
The Commission approved the original scheme in August 2022 (SA.102721). Under the scheme, the aid takes the form of (i) limited amounts of aid; (ii) liquidity support in the form of guarantees; (iii) liquidity support in the form of subsidised loans; and (iv) aid for additional costs due to exceptionally severe increases in natural gas and electricity prices. Italy notified the following modifications to the existing scheme: (i) a budget increase by €240 million; (ii) an extension of the scheme until 31 December 2023; and (iii) 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 Italian scheme, as amended, 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 amendment 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 case number SA.105004 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source – EU Commission