Communication from the Commission amending the period of application of the Communication from the Commission — Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 337/02

I.   Introduction

The Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation (‘the framework’) was adopted in 2005 and was to apply for a period of six years from 29 November 2005. The framework is therefore due to expire on 29 November 2011.

The Commission is currently in the process of preparing a comprehensive review of the State aid rules for the compensation of services of general economic interest. Draft texts of the new package, including a draft for the revision of the framework, were published in September 2011.

In order to allow sufficient time for the consultation process on the new rules, and to avoid legal uncertainty for the interim period between the expiry of the framework and the entry into force of the new package the Commission has decided to extend the period of application of the framework until the entry into force of the new framework.

II.   Amendment to the 2005 framework

The following amendment to the Communication from the Commission — Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation applies from 29 November 2011: