The EU economy required support in the context of the Middle East crisis, so on 29 April 2026, the Commission adopted the METSAF. with the necessary support.

The European Commission has approved a €13 million French aid scheme to support fishing companies in addressing the increase in fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), which was adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.

The French Measure

France has informed the Commission about a €13 million scheme to help fishing companies deal with the rise in fuel prices caused by the Middle East crisis. The scheme will run until 31 December 2026 and will cover costs incurred in April and May of that year. This is the first scheme to be approved by the Commission under the METSAF.

The current crisis in the Middle East

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has triggered a steep and abrupt surge in energy prices, with marine fuel prices surging by over 75% between late February and April 2026. This has created substantial economic uncertainty and severely impacted sectors that rely heavily on fuel, such as the fishing industry. The surge in fuel prices has significantly increased operating costs, threatening the economic viability of fishing companies.

The form that the aid will take is direct grants based on the volume of fuel purchased. Companies can receive €0.20 per litre purchased between 1 and 30 April 2026, and €0.35 per litre purchased between 1 and 31 May 2026.

Related : EU fishing fleet’s size shrinks, struggles with resource imbalances

Under EU State aid rules,

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU ('TFEU'), which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF.

The development of economic activity 

The Commission has determined that the French scheme is necessary, appropriate, and proportionate to encourage the development of economic activity and does not negatively impact trading conditions to an extent that contravenes the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.

Contextual information

The EU economy was in need of support in the context of the Middle East crisis, so on 29 April 2026, the Commission adopted the METSAF to enable Member States to provide it with this support. The METSAF is a targeted, temporary framework designed to mitigate the impact of the crisis on vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, transport, and energy-intensive industries. The METSAF will be in place until 31 December 2026. During this period, the Commission will review the content, scope, and duration of the framework in light of developments in the Middle East and the general economic situation.

A clean economy

Although transitioning to a clean economy is the long-term solution for shielding EU companies from global energy shocks, the METSAF enables Member States to take immediate action to ensure that the growth of companies most exposed to the current crisis is not irreparably hindered.

Support for companies active in the agriculture, fishery, and transport sectors can take various forms. This includes consumption-based aid to offset some of the increased fuel or fertiliser costs, as well as a streamlined process for smaller aid amounts.

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