The European Commission considers the possibility of budget financing of the EU metallurgical companies

The European Commission studies the legality of the release of money of the private company Duferco Group in the form of illegal state subsidies provided to it three years ago by the Belgium government.

In the European Parliament, passions about the EU industrial policy are heated and high -profile statements are heard about the assistance of the metallurgical sector, which is faced today with the closure of industries and layouts.

While the Department of Competition of the European Commission is studying the legality of the provision of subsidies Duferco Group, its other departments are developing an action plan that provides for state support for the industry.

"The commission studies cases of a possible concession of illegal state subsidies from the Belgian authorities received by the Duferco branches outside the EU", commented on the situation in the European Commission.

The official investigation against Duferco Group has not yet been opened. The press secretary of the European Commission did not give hasty comments.

The Executive Director of Duferco Antonio Gotszi, who is simultaneously the head of the Italian metallurgists, said that in 2010 the company actively cooperated with the Belgium authorities. At the same time, "all operations between Duferco and the Government of Wallonia were based on market traditions, all funds returned back and the market interest rates acted."

Earlier this year, Duferco closed its production steel at the La Louviere, in Belgium, due to difficult market conditions.

This is one of many companies that are forced to close their production in connection with a reduction in demand for metal rolling in Europe.

Franco -speaking Wallonia has an unemployment level almost twice as high as the level of the neighboring North Flanders, including because it specializes in the production of steel and metal products.

Trying to avoid the further closure of steel production and mass dismissals of employees of the European metallurgical sector, the European Commission develops an action plan for freezing tariffs for electricity and the provision of state support to the EU metallurgical enterprises.

However, within the commission itself, there are groups that oppose the provision of state assistance to the sector.

“It is no coincidence that the events of three years ago are persistently returned to the center of attention just at the time when the political discussion is aggravated regarding the state support of the EU metallurgical sector,” Gozzi said.