The European Commission has approved a €2.2 billion German scheme to support investments in the decarbonisation of industrial production processes to foster the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fossil fuel dependencies.

The European Commission has found that Slovakia's €267 million measure in favour of Volvo Cars is in line with EU State aid rules. The investment aid will support the establishment of a new electric passenger vehicles production plant in Valaliky near Košice in Eastern Slovakia. The measure will contribute to the EU's strategic objectives relating to job creation, regional development and the European Green Deal.

The European Commission has concluded that Czechia's investment support granted to certain large Czech agricultural companies in 2017 and 2018 is not in line with EU State aid rules. Czechia must now recover the incompatible State aid, including interest.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €350 million German scheme to support the production of renewable hydrogen through the European Hydrogen Bank's “Auctions-as-a-Service” tool. The German measure is in line notably with the objectives of the REPowerEU Plan and the European Green Deal Industrial Plan. It will contribute to further reducing imports of Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, €1 billion Greek measures to support two projects for the generation and storage of renewable energy in Greece. The measures contribute to achieving Greece's climate and energy targets, as well as the objectives of the European Green Deal and 'Fit for 55' package, by enabling the integration of renewable energy sources in the Greek electricity system.

The European Commission has approved a €900 million French scheme to support companies investing in the use of biomass and renewable hydrogen in energy and fuel production, to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.

The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion Italian scheme to support investments for the production of equipment necessary to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.

The European Commission has approved a €3 billion (RON 15.22 billion) Romanian scheme to support installations producing electricity from onshore wind and solar photovoltaic to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.

The European Commission has fined Apple over €1.8 billion for abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iPhone and iPad users (‘iOS users') through its App Store. In particular, the Commission found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app (‘anti-steering provisions'). This is illegal under EU antitrust rules.
See also Remarks by Executive Vice-President Vestager.

The European Commission has approved a €350 million Portuguese scheme to support investments for the production of equipment necessary to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.3 billion German measure made available in part through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF') to support ArcelorMittal Bremen and ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt in decarbonising part of their steel production processes. The measure will contribute to the achievement of the EU Hydrogen Strategy, the European Green Deal and the Green Deal Industrial Plan targets, while helping to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition, in line with the REPowerEU Plan.

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Bolloré Logistics SE by CMA CGM S.A.. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by the parties.

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed creation of a joint venture by Orange and MásMóvil. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with a commitments package offered by Orange and MásMóvil.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €4 billion German scheme made available in part through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF') to help companies, which are subject to the EU Emission Trading System (‘ETS'), decarbonise their industrial production processes. The measure contributes to achieving Germany's climate and energy targets, as well as the EU's strategic objectives of the European Green Deal.

The European Commission has concluded that Blue Air's restructuring plan was not capable of restoring the airline's long-term viability and it is therefore incompatible with EU State aid rules. Romania must now recover from Blue Air illegal State aid amounting to approximately €33.84 million (RON 163.8 million).

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €720 million French scheme to support the forestry sector. The measure will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy by strengthening forest environmental protection.

The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a third Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support hydrogen infrastructure. This IPCEI is expected to boost the supply of renewable hydrogen, thereby reducing dependency on natural gas and helping to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan.
See also Statement by Executive Vice-President Vestager.

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Asiana Airlines Inc. by Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the remedies offered by Korean Air.

The European Commission has concluded that the State guarantee model granted by Denmark and Sweden for the construction of the Øresund fixed rail-road link does not constitute new aid within the meaning of EU State aid rules. The Commission has also found that part of the tax support implemented by Denmark constitutes new aid that is disproportionate and therefore not compatible with the Treaty. Denmark must now recover the incompatible aid, including interest.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State Aid rules, a €300 million Polish scheme to support workers affected by the closure of coal- and lignite-fired power plants and lignite mines.