Press Release: Public procurement: Commission decides to refer Italy to Court over supply of helicopters

The European Commission has decided to refer Italy to the European Court of Justice because of the Italian Government's longstanding policy of awarding contracts, directly and without competition, to the Italian company Agusta, for the supply of helicopters for civilian use by various public services. The Commission considers that such direct awards of contracts are in violation of the EU Directive on the procurement of supplies (93/36/EEC). Although the Directive does allow direct award of contracts, without the publication of a tender notice, in certain specific circumstances, none of these conditions are met in the case of these helicopter supply contracts.