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Public Services and State Aid – is a Decentralisation of State Aid Policy Necessary?

Hettne, Jörgen LU (2011) In European policy analysis
Abstract
The impact of European Union law on the regional and local levels in the Member States has been underestimated for a long time now. Today, however, it is clear that the impact of European Union law on these levels is important, not least as a consequence of the deregulation that has been carried out in most Member States in recent years.

As local markets open up for competition, the scope of EU law is extended. Competition and state aid rules, for instance, become applicable. Naturally, EU law allows for considerations to be taken other than those of free competition, but the Member States must avail themselves of the possibilities that exist. One precondition is that they in such a situation use the tools provided by European... (More)
The impact of European Union law on the regional and local levels in the Member States has been underestimated for a long time now. Today, however, it is clear that the impact of European Union law on these levels is important, not least as a consequence of the deregulation that has been carried out in most Member States in recent years.

As local markets open up for competition, the scope of EU law is extended. Competition and state aid rules, for instance, become applicable. Naturally, EU law allows for considerations to be taken other than those of free competition, but the Member States must avail themselves of the possibilities that exist. One precondition is that they in such a situation use the tools provided by European Union law in order to correct markets that do not function satisfactorily. This is primarily a matter of classifying certain services as “services of general economic interest” and of respecting the EU law requirements connected with the provision of such services. The relevant part of

EU law is, however, complex and constantly evolving. This analysis aims to comment on the current state of EU law and the Commission’s proposed revision of the EU state aid rules with regard to services of general economic interest. The author is of the opinion that a decentralisation of state aid policy should be considered in order

to ensure a correct and rational application of the state aid rules as regards the financing of services of general economic interest. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Book/Report
publication status
published
subject
in
European policy analysis
pages
8 pages
publisher
Sieps (Swedish Institute of European Policy Studies)
report number
2011:14
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9b198c64-2cc1-4886-b6a8-e5af6de7e119 (old id 8166803)
alternative location
http://www.sieps.se/sites/default/files/2011_14epa.pdf
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 10:27:13
date last changed
2022-09-26 11:30:47
@techreport{9b198c64-2cc1-4886-b6a8-e5af6de7e119,
  abstract     = {{The impact of European Union law on the regional and local levels in the Member States has been underestimated for a long time now. Today, however, it is clear that the impact of European Union law on these levels is important, not least as a consequence of the deregulation that has been carried out in most Member States in recent years.<br/><br>
As local markets open up for competition, the scope of EU law is extended. Competition and state aid rules, for instance, become applicable. Naturally, EU law allows for considerations to be taken other than those of free competition, but the Member States must avail themselves of the possibilities that exist. One precondition is that they in such a situation use the tools provided by European Union law in order to correct markets that do not function satisfactorily. This is primarily a matter of classifying certain services as “services of general economic interest” and of respecting the EU law requirements connected with the provision of such services. The relevant part of<br/><br>
EU law is, however, complex and constantly evolving. This analysis aims to comment on the current state of EU law and the Commission’s proposed revision of the EU state aid rules with regard to services of general economic interest. The author is of the opinion that a decentralisation of state aid policy should be considered in order<br/><br>
to ensure a correct and rational application of the state aid rules as regards the financing of services of general economic interest.}},
  author       = {{Hettne, Jörgen}},
  institution  = {{Sieps (Swedish Institute of European Policy Studies)}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2011:14}},
  series       = {{European policy analysis}},
  title        = {{Public Services and State Aid – is a Decentralisation of State Aid Policy Necessary?}},
  url          = {{http://www.sieps.se/sites/default/files/2011_14epa.pdf}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}