The regional government of Rhineland-Palatinate actually wanted to sell the loss-making Hahn airport in the Hunsrück area to a Chinese firm. It had already selected the Shanghai Guo Qing Investment Company, as the most competitive bidder, allegedly because EU rules left it no alternative. However, investigations by the German regional broadcaster SWR have cast serious doubts on the existence and trustworthiness of this firm.

1.Is it true, as the regional government claims, that EU public procurement law gives it no alternative but to accept the most competitive bid?

2.Does the Commission think that the regional government has fulfilled all its duties of care and due diligence in this case?

3.Is the Commission aware of other cases in which state bodies have become the victims of bogus foreign firms, and does it have any recommendations on how to avoid this?