EU Court Urged to Support Austria in Paks Atomic Plant Dispute

The EU Court of Justice is urged to back Austria in its challenge against the approval of state aid by Hungary for the expansion of the Paks atomic plant. The court's advocate-general supports Austria's claim concerning the award of the contract to a Russian company and compliance with EU procurement rules.

The European Court of Justice has been advised to side with Austria in its appeal concerning Hungary's Paks atomic plant expansion. This follows Austria's contention against the European Commission's approval of state aid.

According to the court's advocate-general, Austria correctly pointed out that the commission failed to examine the compliance of the direct contract awarded to Nizhny Novgorod Engineering, a Russian company, with EU procurement rules.

The outcome of this case could influence the future of similar state aid approvals and contract awards in the region, setting important precedents for how EU procurement laws are applied in energy sector projects.

(With inputs from agencies.)