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AFP welcomes European Commission decision securing its public financing
The European Commission has given its decision on a complaint made in February 2010 by a German news agency against France for giving state aid to AFP.
The decision recognizes the missions of general interest on an international level attributed to AFP and permits the compensation of the net cost by a State subsidy that respects European competition laws.
“This decision is a crucial moment for AFP,” said AFP chairman Emmanuel Hoog.
“It ends four years of uncertainty and secures the agency’s public financing, which is essential if it is to carry out its missions.”
“It was important that all of our activities are covered by the missions of general interest, whatever the platform, the language, the origin or the destination of the news.
“This recognition confirms the unified nature of our activities.”
The next contract of objectives and means that AFP will sign with the State will specify the extent of these missions of general interest and their evolution in the years to come, as well as the modalities and the level of compensation of their net cost.
This contract will also take into account the 2014-2018 development plan for the agency which was presented in December 2013 and which foresees the reinforcement of the agency’s offer in the following areas – video, sports news, international development, innovation and service to clients.
About AFP
AFP is a global news agency delivering fast, accurate, in-depth coverage of the events shaping our world from conflicts to politics, sports, entertainment and the latest breakthroughs in health, science and technology. With 2,260 staff spread across almost every country, AFP covers the world 24 hours a day in six languages. AFP delivers the news in video, text, photos, multimedia and graphics to a wide range of customers including newspapers and magazines, radio and TV channels, web sites and portals, mobile operators, corporate clients as well as public institutions.