Closure of the shipyard Estaleiros Navias de Viana do Castelo, S.A.

3.12.2013

Question for written answer E-013717-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Edite Estrela (S&D) , António Fernando Correia de Campos (S&D)

According to reports in the Portuguese press, the Portuguese Ministry of Defence has announced the collective dismissal of 600 workers at the Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo, S.A. (ENVC S.A.) on the basis of the investigation launched by the Commission into state aid to the firm between 2006 and 2011.

The Commission asked the Portuguese Government to provide clarification to enable it to make its final decision on the compatibility of the state aid that had been provided with common EU rules that allow emergency or restructuring aid.

Identical procedures were instigated by the Commission in Spain, France and Holland.

1. Can the Commission confirm whether the Portuguese Government presented its justification for state aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty?

2. Has the Commission come to a decision about the competition policy investigation of Portuguese Government state aid to the shipyard Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo S.A. (ENVC S.A.)?

3. What decisions has the Commission made with regard to the parallel investigations into Spanish, French and Dutch shipyards?

OJ C 263, 12/08/2014