State Aid in the enlarged European Union: A Review

Authors: Holscher, J., Nulsch, N. and Stephan, J.

Conference: German Economic Association, Comittee for Institutional Economics and Economic Systems

Dates: 23-25 September 2012

Journal: Discussion Paper

Issue: 40

Pages: 1-37

Publisher: Halle Institute for Economic Research

Place of Publication: Halle, Germany

ISSN: 1860-5303

Abstract:

In the early phase of transition that started with the 1990s, Central and Eastern European Countries pursued economic restructuring of the enterprise sector that involved massive injections of state support. Also foreign investment from the West and facilitation of the development of a market economy involved massive injections of state support. With their accession to the European Union (EU), levels and forms of state aid came under critical review by the European Commission. This inquiry investigates whether the integration of the new member states operates on a level playing field with respect to state aid. Quantitative and qualitative analysis is relied upon to answer this key, as well as other, related questions. Findings suggest that in recent years a level playing field across the EU has indeed emerged. State aid in the new EU member countries is rather handled more strictly than laxer compared to the ‘old’ EU countries.

http://www.iwh-halle.de/d/publik/disc/24-10.pdf

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Jens Holscher