Press Release: State aid: The Commission approves the French cinema and audiovisual support mechanisms

The European Commission on 22 march 2006 approved the collection of French cinema and audiovisual support mechanisms on the basis of the EC State aid rules. The Commission considered that almost all of the numerous mechanisms notified constituted State aid. However, the Commission concluded that it could approve them on the basis that most of them encouraged cultural development without affecting exchanges between Member States to an extent contrary to the common interest.