Should ECAs support [subsidize?] exports to Greece, an EU Member?

(Lexology, London, 2 May 2016) The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) prohibits State aid to support [subsidize?] export-credit insurance in "marketable risk" countries, which includes EU Member States. Given the difficult economic circumstances in Greece and the resulting dearth of insurance or reinsurance capacity to cover exports to Greece, in December 2013 the European Commission decided to temporarily remove Greece from the list of "marketable risk" countries in 2013 and again in 2015 - an exception set to expire on 30 June 2016. The Commission is now asking Member States, credit insurers, and other interested parties to submit information on private credit insurance capacity; the activity of insurers acting on behalf of or with State guarantee or the state itself in the provision of short-term credit insurance for exports to Greece during the period March 2015 to March 2016; changes in Greece's credit ratings for the last six months; corporate sector performance in Greece; and any other relevant data and information. The deadline for responses is 24 May 2016. [Comment: The TFEU prohibition mirrors the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures which prohibits export credit premiums (or interest rates) that "are not inadequate to cover long-term operating costs and losses", i.e. subsidies to national corporations. While professing allegiance to free markets, the EU, OECD and WTO in these ways support negotiations and exceptions which favour national and corporate interests through poorly monitored, non-transparent fora and regulations which are tantamount to a special interest "Gentleman's Club".]Â