📋 Tender Overview
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether certain Greek support measures in favour of ELTA are in line with EU State aid rules.ELTA is the largest provider of postal services in Greece and is the postal operator entrusted with the provision of the Universal Service Obligation USO which is a public service mission.The Commissions investigationIn May 2020 the Commission received a complaint alleging that several measures benefitting ELTA amount to incompatible State aid in favour of the company. These measures includethe payment by the Greek State of 149 million to ELTA in December 2020 as additional USO compensation for the period 2013 2018a capital injection by Greece of 100 million into ELTAs share capital which took place in December 2020 andthe granting by the Greek VAT Code of a Value-Added-Tax VAT exemption to all postal services of ELTA since 2000.At this stage based on its preliminary assessment the Commission has doubts on whether certain measures in favour of ELTA are in line with EU State aid rules. For this reason it has decided to open an in-depth investigation in relation toDoubts on whether ELTA was legally entitled to additional USO compensation for the 2013-2018 period as it had already received an annual compensation of 15 million for the same period.Doubts on whether the capital injection in favour of ELTA has been granted on market terms or has given the company an undue advantage over its competitors.Insofar as the VAT exemption applies to all postal services provided by ELTA concerns that the measure could qualify as aid. While the measure would be considered existing aid for the period before August 2010 it would constitute new aid for the period starting in August 2010. The Commission has doubts on the compatibility of such new aid.The Commission will now investigate further to determine whether its initial concerns are confirmed. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives Greece the complainant and other interested third parties an opportunity to submit comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
