Article 1
The measures intended to consolidate, restructure and privatise Crédit Foncier de France, in particular the government guarantee covering its debts announced by the Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance on 29 April 1996 and the FRF 1,85 billion increase in its capital carried out by Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 88(1) of the EC Treaty. These operations, the value of which is estimated at FRF 16 billion, are hereby declared compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement pursuant to Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.