Unlawful provision of state aid to Post Danmark by the Danish government

24.5.2000

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1801/00
by Christian Rovsing (PPE-DE)
to the Commission

1. Is the Commission aware that the Danish government is providing state aid to Post Danmark   for the postal distribution of newspapers and periodicals at especially low prices?

 

2. Is it also aware that the rules governing the relevant aid scheme were substantially amended   by the Danish government in its Decree of 23 February 2000, which entered into force on 1   April 2000, the result being that aid is now provided on a discriminatory basis, with some   newspapers and periodicals benefiting at others' expense?

 

3. Can it confirm that the amendments to the aid scheme have been notified to it for approval   in accordance with Article 88 (3) of the EC Treaty?

 

4. If not, does it agree that the aid scheme is unlawful under the EC Treaty?

 

5. Does it also agree that the scheme, even if it has been notified, is incompatible with the  common market, when it clearly and significantly distorts competition between newspapers   and periodicals that receive state aid and those that do not?

 

6. What action does it intend to take with regard to this aid scheme? 

 

OJ C 72 E, 06/03/2001