The Diplomat
The European Commission yesterday supported the Spanish government’s veto of the Hungarian company Magyar Vagon’s takeover bid for 100% of Talgo, arguing that it seeks to protect Spain’s interests and national security, and that the situation may end up being settled in the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
In a press conference from Brussels, the community spokesperson Francesca Dalboni avoided raising objections to the government’s manoeuvre after assuring that it is the prerogative of the member states to adopt this type of decision.
Thus, she recalled that the EU Treaties allow for the restriction of the freedoms of the single market, such as the freedom of establishment and free movement of capital, on the grounds of public security.
«The measures must be justified and proportional to the objective they pursue,» added Dalboni, who indicated that the Spanish authorities were not obliged to inform the European Executive in advance of their decision.
After the potential buyer, Magyar Vagon, announced that it would appeal to European authorities to denounce Spain’s manoeuvre, the European Commission has stated that it has not yet heard from the company.
In this regard, the community spokesman, Eric Mamer, recalled that the principles by which the EU operates are included in the Treaties and this type of decision must ultimately be supervised by the CJEU.
