State aid: Commission orders Spain to recover incompatible State aid for high speed train test centre from railway operator ADIF

On the 25 July 2016, the European Commission reached a conclusion that aid granted by Spain to railway operator ADIF for the construction of a high-speed train test centre in Andalusia is not in line with EU state aid rules, because it does not meet a genuine objective of common interest.

Moreover, the European Commission also found that the project does not contribute to the objective of promoting a sustainable development of the Andalusia region, as it would only have had limited short-term effects by creating temporary jobs in the construction sector during the building of the infrastructure. On this basis, Spain was ordered to recover from ADIF the funds which had already been disbursed to the company.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Spanish high-speed railway test centre (CEATF) http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-commission-opens-in-depth-investigation-into-spanish-high-speed-railway-test-centre-ceatf/

Politico, 25.07.16: Margrethe Vestager derails Spain’s plan for high-speed trains http://www.politico.eu/article/margrethe-vestager-derails-spains-plan-for-high-speed-trains-state-aid-comptetition/

El País, 25.07.16: Brussels tells Spain to recover high-speed rail funds http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/07/25/inenglish/1469450580_043383.html

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