ESA adopts temporary State aid framework for sectors affected by the Middle East Crisis

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) today adopted the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) to help EEA EFTA States support their economies in response to the ongoing Middle East Crisis.

METSAF provides targeted, temporary support to sectors most affected by the crisis, including agriculture, fisheries, transport and energy-sensitive industries. It is designed to mitigate economic disruption and safeguard key parts of the economy that have been especially affected by high energy costs caused by the crisis. For the EEA EFTA States, ESA adopted guidelines corresponding to the rules adopted by the European Commission for EU Member States on 29 April .

METSAF also includes temporary amendments to Section 4.5 of ESA's Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) , allowing for greater flexibility and higher aid intensities to address electricity price spikes affecting businesses.

ESA will apply the METSAF to assess the compatibility of aid measures falling within the scope of the EEA Agreement taken by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway from 1 March 2026 until 31 December 2026.

State aid

ESA monitors State aid granted by the EEA EFTA States to allow fair competition and an open Internal Market in the EEA. The EEA EFTA States are obliged to notify any planned State aid measure to ESA. As a rule, the EEA Agreement prohibits State aid to prevent negative impacts on trade, but exceptions are made for purposes such as environmental protection, regional support and research, innovation and development.

The METSAF and ESA 's decision to adopt it are available, here and here , respectively.

For further information, please contact: