In accordance with the new Temporary Crisis Framework adopted on 23 March 2022, on 28 June 2022 the Commission approved the €60.7 million supplied by the Romanian government to support companies active in road transport of goods and persons in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In place until 31 December 2022, the Framework enables Member States to use the flexibility foreseen under European State Aid rules to support the economy in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, thereby complementing the latter’s ample possibilities to design measures such as, amongst the others, limited amounts of aid in any form, liquidity support in form of State guarantees and subsidised loans, and aids to compensate for the increase of the energy prices.

Open to companies of all sizes active in road transport of goods and persons with a valid community license that are affected by the fuel prices increase caused by the current geopolitical crisis and the related sanctions, the scheme aims to provide them liquidity support aid in the form of direct grants while ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods and persons by road.

According to the Commission, the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework and by Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), being necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State.

Marco Stillo