France drums up A350 funds, denies state aid
(LE BOURGET) - France argued on Monday for advance state financing for the Airbus A350 project from other European governments, saying such funding did not break European Union rules on state aid.
"France will defend the principle of the refundable advance, which is a system that has shown its efficiency," France's junior transport minister Dominique Bussereau told reporters on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.
The funds are "acceptable to the European Union because they are not subsidies but advances," Bussereau said, adding however that the positions of the four European states involved in the project were "rather far apart."
Transport ministers from Britain, France, Germany and Spain are to meet later on Monday during the Paris Air Show to discuss funding for the A350 project.
Without giving further details, Bussereau said the stance taken on the issue by Spain and Germany was "complicated."
French business daily La Tribune reported this month that advance payments for the project could range up to 3.5 billion euros (4.9 billion dollars).
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