Press Release: State aid: Commission concludes its investigation into aid to Tieliikelaitos (now Destia), clears transitional aid, puts end to unlimited State guarantee

The European Commission has concluded its investigation into aid given to Tieliikelaitos (now Destia), the successor to the national road service that was set up as a State Enterprise when Finland opened its road service market to competition. The Commission has decided not to raise objections to the aid provided on a transitional basis by the Finnish government to facilitate Tieliikelaitos' adaptation to its new competitive environment, in a context of overstaffing and of strict limitations on staff downsizing. At the same time, the Commission requested the Finnish government to put an end to a number of privileges that Tieliikelaitos enjoyed, namely the non-application of normal bankruptcy and corporate income tax legislation.