Communication from the Commission Third amendment to the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak 2020/C 218/03

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION Third amendment to the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak (2020/C 218/03) 1. INTRODUCTION 1. On 19 March 2020, the Commission adopted its Communication ‘Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak’ (1) (the ‘Temporary Framework’). On 3 April 2020, it adopted a first amendment to include aid to accelerate research, testing and the production of COVID-19 relevant products, to protect jobs and to further support the economy during the current crisis (2). On 8 May 2020, it adopted a second amendment to ease further the access to capital and liquidity for undertakings affected by the crisis (3). 2. A targeted and proportionate application of EU State aid control ensures that national support measures effectively help affected undertakings during the COVID-19 outbreak, whilst limiting undue distortions to the Internal Market, maintaining the integrity of the Internal Market and ensuring a level playing field. This will contribute to the continuity of economic activity during the COVID-19 outbreak and provide the economy with a strong platform to recover from the crisis, keeping in mind the importance of meeting the green and digital transitions, in line with Union law and objectives. 3. The aim of this Communication is to clarify and amend conditions for temporary State aid measures that the Commission considers...