The State aid which France is planning to implement for the start-up of new short sea shipping services is compatible with the common market within the meaning of Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty.
Implementation of the aid is accordingly authorised.
This Decision is addressed to the French Republic.
Done at Brussels, 30 January 2002.
For the Commission
Loyola De Palacio
Vice-President
(1) OJ C 37, 3.2.2001, p. 16.
(2) OJ L 277, 14.10.1998, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 205, 5.7.1997, p. 5.
(4) COM(1999) 317 final.
(5) See, in particular, the decisions to initiate the procedure provided for by Article 93(2) of the Treaty in cases C 2/97 (OJ C 93, 22.3.1997) and C 21/98 (OJ C 227, 28.8.1999).
(6) OJ C 72, 10.3.1994, p. 3.
(7) OJ C 74, 10.3.1998, p. 9.
(8) OJ C 28, 1.2.2000, p. 2.