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Commission presents guidelines on restructuring aid to banks -
frequently asked questions  European Commission - MEMO/09/350  
23/07/2009  Other available languages: none   Brussels, 23 rd
July 2009   (see also IP/09/1180 )  Why does the Commission not
simply apply the existing state aid rules for restructuring
firms in difficulty?  The underlying principles of the Community
Guidelines on rescue and restructuring aid to companies in
financial difficulties (see MEMO/04/172 ) will continue to
apply. These principles are restoration of long-term viability,
adequate burden-sharing and measures to limit distortions of
competition. However, the new specific bank restructuring
guidelines explain in detail how the Commission will apply these
principles to the specific, temporary circumstances created by
the current financial crisis, taking into account the systemic
role of the banking sector for the whole economy and the
possible systemic effects arising