1. 

State aid — Concept — Measures designed to compensate for the cost of public service missions undertaken by an undertaking — Exclusion — Conditions set out in the Altmark judgment

(Art. 107(1) TFEU)

(see paras 77-83)

2. 

Competition — Undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest — Definition of services of general economic interest — Member States’ discretion — Limits — Monitoring by the Commission and judicial review limited to cases of manifest error — Possibility of assessment on the basis of guidelines previously adopted by the Commission

(Arts 106(2) TFEU, 107(1) TFEU; Council Regulation No 3577/92, Arts 1 and 4; Commission Notice 2012/C 8/02, point 46)

(see paras 92-96, 106)

3. 

State aid — Concept — Measures designed to compensate for the cost of public service missions undertaken by an undertaking — First condition set out in the Altmark judgment — Maritime cabotage sector — Definition of services of general economic interest — Genuine need for a public service — Scope — Obligation on the authorities to demonstrate a lack of private sector initiative

(Art. 107(1) TFEU; Council Regulation No 3577/92, Arts 1 and 4)

(see paras 98-101)

4. 

State aid — Concept — Measures designed to compensate for the cost of public service missions undertaken by an undertaking — First condition set out in the Altmark judgment — Maritime cabotage sector — Definition of services of general economic interest — Distinction between basic and additional service — No genuine need for a public service in relation to the additional service

(Art. 107(1) TFEU)

(see paras 110-117, 119-124, 127-129, 134, 135, 138, 141, 147, 156, 157, 161, 162, 168, 175)

5. 

State aid — Concept — Measures designed to compensate for the cost of public service missions undertaken by an undertaking — Fourth Altmark condition — Public contract procedure enabling selection of the candidate capable of providing the services in question at the least cost for the public purse — Scope

(Art. 107(1) TFEU)

(see para. 178)

1. 

Dismisses the action;

2. 

Orders the French Republic to pay, in addition to its own costs, those incurred by the European Commission, including those incurred in the interim proceedings.