The extrajudicial settlement agreement between the Greek government and Siemens is to be closely examined by the European Commission, as revealed by Commissioner of Internal Market, Industry and Entrepreneurship Commissioner, Elzbieta Bienkowska.
Mrs. Bienkowska explained to MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis that the Commission will examine whether the agreement is in line with EU legislation.
According to the settlement, in exchange for dropping civil and administrative claims against the German company, Greece would receive benefits from the company, such as 80 million euros to offset State claims, 90 million euros to fund educational and other counter-corruption activities, 100 million in Siemens investments in Greece and 60 million euros to construct a production plant in Greece.
As revealed in an article by To Vima in October 2014 though, Siemens ahs refused to carry out its final commitment and has even disputed its obligations towards Greece. This development suggests a possible change of stance at the Commission, which has previously refused to comment on the settlement between Greece and Siemens, claiming to be unable to comment.
