Press Release: State aid: Commission gives the go-ahead for restructuring aid to Bull

The European Commission on 1 December 2004 authorised aid notified by the French Government in support of the restructuring plan for the IT firm Bull. France had undertaken not to disburse this final restructuring aid before 31 December 2004. The aid would furthermore be paid only after rescue aid granted in 2001 and 2002 had been reimbursed. Under these conditions, the Commission considered that restoration of the company's viability was sufficiently ensured and that, although the amount of the aid was large, it was compatible with the EC Treaty rules (Article 87), which stipulate that state aid must not create undue distortions of competition.