BRUSSELS, 23 OCTOBER (.) – The European Court of Auditors on Wednesday called on the European Commission to strengthen its control over public aid schemes that governments grant to companies, make the process more transparent and assess its impact. requested a more appropriate evaluation.
The European Audit Report first specifically examines the temporary state aid framework adopted by the EU to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. and the subsequent impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly in the energy sector.
The purpose of these systems was to enable member states to extend assistance to business networks in the form of grants, loans or guarantees, which under normal circumstances would be prohibited by Community law.
The report highlights the European Commission’s “rapid response” to the need to rely on public aid to “rectify the economic disruption” caused by the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In fact, spending on state aid tripled, reaching 320 billion euros in 2020 and 2021, and almost 230 billion euros in 2022, the auditor added, adding that the terms of the concessions noted that it was “not necessarily well defined or focused.” We need to give due consideration to the businesses most severely affected.
It further points out that the “considerable” increase occurred without Brussels having “sufficient information about the impact on competition of the measures and aid introduced by member states”.
“The EU must keep state aid under control to protect the internal market and ensure free and fair competition even in times of crisis,” said George Heisler, the Comptroller of the European Union. did.
The City of Brussels also recently approved a third exceptional public aid framework to encourage investment in clean technologies, renewable energy and other initiatives that support the ecological transformation of Europe’s economy.
In this scenario, the report warns that the “complex” set of EU public aid rules is “not necessarily coherent or well supported by economic analysis” and that the reality is that ” It can also undermine the effective functioning of the internal market.”The richest countries can devote more resources than others.
As a result, the European Auditor’s document recommends that regional administrations strengthen the evaluation and supervision of national public aid systems, as well as investigate the impact of measures adopted in crisis situations on competition within the region. There is.
It also called for greater transparency in the aid delivery process, as there is currently “not enough” information on the identities of beneficiaries and member states “do not provide complete and reliable data on the actual aid.” .
Finally, they call for improved analysis of the real need to deploy state aid to support the EU’s industrial policy objectives.
The Commission said it had “taken note” of the audit report’s conclusions, and also noted room for improvement in the “design, evaluation and monitoring” of measures adopted under the Commission. Temporary framework for public assistance.
“Especially in times of crisis, there may be room for things to improve. We will continue to learn,” the agency said. .
(For more information about the European Union, visit euroefe.euractiv.es)
