EC calls on European governments do not "bribe" automakers state aid - newspaper

The European Competition Commission is investigating the legality of a restructuring plan carmakers Opel and Vauxhall, proposed by a consortium of Austrian-Canadian Magna and Sberbank of Russia, called on member states to prevent the "bribery" by auto manufacturers to the state aid, wrote on Friday, the British newspaper Financial Times, citing the official statement of the Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
"We can not allow anyone to give bribes to the government to steal or to reduce other people's jobs" - Kroes told journalists on Thursday held a press conference in New York.

Also, the European Commissioner stressed that the excess state aid may cause large-scale trade war between the major corporations in Europe.

"We can not allow companies to become dependent on aid. This problem - the shortest way to trade wars and poverty," - said Kroes, adding that this development is not a way to overcome the negative impact of the global economic crisis.

In turn, Germany was confident that the European Commission would support its action against Opel and Vauxhall.

"I am confident that we will be able to convince the commission that we are acting in accordance with the EU legislation", - commented the Deputy Minister of Economy of Germany Hinttse Peter (Peter Hintze).

On the eve of the British authorities have filed a complaint with the Commission on the plan of the consortium Magna Int. and the Savings Bank on the restructuring of the European Branches and Vauxhall.

In particular, the British side expresses its grave concern about the extent planned under the restructuring program cuts at the European plants of the two automakers, but also believes that the amount of state aid granted by a consortium of government of Germany, is highly overstated.

Earlier, the trade unions of Great Britain, Spain and Belgium accused Magna and Sberbank in the illegality of the planned cuts, which they believe will be more widespread in these countries than in Germany itself. However, they express confidence that their factories more productive than plants located in Germany's Opel and Vauxhall.

Manual GM announced the sale of a controlling stake Opel consortium Magna-Savings Bank on September 10. Following the transaction, the consortium will receive 55% of the company, employees Opel - 10%, and GM reserves at its disposal 35% of the shares. According to recent data, all on the European Opel plants is expected to dismiss 10,9 thousand people, including 4,7 thousand in the UK and 4.1 thousand in Germany.