The EC (European Commission) announced recently that it had opened a formal investigation procedure to examine whether state aid measures for Belgian postal operator De Post-La Poste were in line with EC Treaty state aid rules. In particular, it will examine the yearly compensation for public service obligations.

EC Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes added: “The opening of a formal investigation gives all interested parties a chance to express their views and will help to provide legal certainty to all actors involved, including De Post-La Poste.”