Information;Judgment — ECLI:EU:C:2021:380
Date: 2021-05-12
Language of the case: Greek
Court formation: Sixth Chamber
Subject matter: State aids;Competition
Procedure: Action for failure to fulfil obligations - successful
Origin: Greece

Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 12 May 2021 – Commission v Greece (Aid to agricultural producers) (Case C‑11/20)(1) (Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations – State aid – Aid declared unlawful and incompatible with the internal market – Article 108(2), second subparagraph, TFEU – Adverse weather conditions – Losses suffered by farmers – Compensation aid – Obligation of recovery – Duty to provide information – Non-implementation) 1. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations – Non-compliance with a Commission decision concerning State aid – Duty to recover the aid granted – Reference period – Period laid down either in the decision which has not been implemented or subsequently by the Commission (Arts 108(2), second subpara., and 288 TFEU; Council Regulation No 659/1999, Art. 14(3)) (see paras 33-39) 2. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations – Non-compliance with the obligation to recover unlawful aid – Defences – Absolute impossibility of implementation – Criteria for assessment – Difficulties in implementation – Obligation for the Member State to undertake real steps as regards the undertakings at issue and to propose alternative solutions to the Commission enabling such difficulties to be overcome (Art. 108(2) TFEU) (see paras 40-51, operative part 1) 3. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations – Non-compliance with a Commission decision concerning State aid – Duty to recover the aid granted – Obligation for the Member State to inform the Commission of the measures taken (see paras 58-68, operative part 1) Operative part The Court: 1. Declares that, by failing to take, within the prescribed periods, all the measures necessary to implement Commission Decision 2012/157/EU of 7 December 2011 concerning compensation payments made by the Greek Agricultural Insurance Organisation (ELGA) in 2008 and 2009, and by failing to sufficiently inform the European Commission of the measures taken pursuant to that decision, the Hellenic Republic has failed to fulfil its obligations under Articles 2 to 4 of that decision and under the TFEU; 2. Orders the Hellenic Republic to pay the costs. 1 OJ C 68, 2.3.2020.