France ordered to recover illegal aid

摘要

The European Commission has ordered France to recover at least €65 million in aid granted in 2006 as loans to a fund set up to help fishermen cope with higher fuel costs, confirmed a Commission spokesperson, on 29 May. In 2006, Paris set up a fund (the FPAP) to help the fisheries sector deal with unexpected events such as increases in diesel fuel prices. The government made three payments to the fund, totalling €65 million, in the form of loans to be reimbursed by July 2007. That amount was never repaid, however. I he Commission therefore concluded that the loans constituted a state aid scheme that is not compatible with EU rules and ordered France, on 20 May, to recover the funds from the recipients.