I overensstemmelse med sine domme i de forenede sager C-278/92 — C-280/92l) afviste EF-Domstolen argumentet om, at støtten skulle kunne opnå fritagelse i medfør af artikel 92, stk. 3, litra a) og c), da det var fastslået, at støtten ikke var tilstrækkelig til at genetablere Mercos rentabilitet og derfor ikke bidrog til den langsigtede udvikling i området.
In line with its judgment in Joined Cases C-278/92 to 280/92' the Court rejected the argument that the aid was eligible for exemption as regional aid under Article 92(3)(a) and (c),as it was established that the aid was not sufficient to restore 'Merco's' profitability andtherefore did not contribute to the long-term development of the region.