International Cooperation

With effect from the date of accession of the Czech Republic to the EU, the competence to assess the compatibility of State aid with the internal market was taken over by the European Commission. At the same time the Act No. 215/2004 Coll., Amending Certain Relationships within the Area of State Aid and Altering the Act on Promotion of Research and Development, came into force. The Act regulate the role of the Office in the area of State aid, rights and duties of providers and beneficiaries of State aid towards the Office and some another relationships in connection with provision of State aid. The Act does not apply to agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The Office is the central coordination, advisory, consulting and monitoring authority in the area of State aid. The Office has an important role in the notification procedure as it co-operates with both the State aid providers and the Commission and sends the notification forms to the Commission by electronic transmission. The aim of co-operation with the State aid providers is to ensure that the notification form is duly prepared in accordance with the Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 of 21 April 2004 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty, and that the relevant documents are enclosed to it so that the notification could be regarded as complete and the Commission could initiate preliminary examination of the notification and take its decision.

Moreover, in order to mitigate possible consequences of restrictions caused by the fight against the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Office coordinates the preparation of State aid schemes in compliance with Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak adopted by the European Commission. The particular State aid scheme is subject to the European Commission´s approval and issuance of the decision. The moment the particular State aid scheme is approved and the decision is issued, the Office is allowed to provide the State aid scheme to particular enterprises affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.