Press Release: State aid: Commission initiates formal investigation into how RATP’s pensions are financed

The European Commission has adopted a decision initiating a procedure with regard to the financing of RATP's pensions. The Commission investigation concerns whether a reorganisation of that financing, launched in January 2006, is compatible with the Community rules on monitoring state aid. The decision will enable stakeholders and public-transport firms to comment on the Commission's preliminary analysis. In particular, the Commission wishes to carry out a more detailed assessment of the impact which the reorganisation has had, and could have in future, on RATP's competitive position.