RNS Number:8233R
Eurotunnel PLC/Eurotunnel S.A.
26 February 2007

26 February 2007

Immediate release

              Illegal immigrants: Decision in Eurotunnel's favour

Following the disturbances caused to its business by the intrusion of illegal
migrants coming from the Sangatte centre between 2000 and 2002, Eurotunnel had
petitioned the ad hoc Tribunal*, on 17 December 2003, under the legislation
relating to the Concession**, to seek compensation for damages suffered.

In its ruling of 30 January 2007 published on 23 February 2007, the ad hoc
Arbitration Tribunal has recognised Eurotunnel's right to compensation. The
amount will be determined by the Tribunal at a later date.

The ruling, made public at the conclusion of the first phase, recognises that
the two States, United Kingdom and France, must, under the terms of the
Concession, "take all measures (...) necessary for the operation of the fixed
link by the concessionaires (...)". The Tribunal concludes that the
concessionaires (The Channel Tunnel Group Limited and France Manche SA) have the
right to be compensated for losses which result from the States defaulting on
their responsibilities as those who have granted the concession.

The Tribunal must now set a timetable for the second phase of the procedure to
determine the amount of loss and its compensation. In 2004, Eurotunnel estimated
the loss over the period at #30 million, of which #17 million was security costs
and #13 million was lost revenues. At 31 December 2006, the loss is estimated at
around #35 million.

*Composition of the International Arbitration Tribunal which heard the petitions
under the jurisdiction of the permanent court of Arbitration and in the premises
of the Court of International Justice in The Hague:

Chairman: Professor James Crawford, Judges nominated by the Concessionaires:
Maitres Yves Fortier and Jan Paulson, Judge nominated by the French government:
SE le Juge Gilbert Guillaume, Judge nominated by the British government: the
most honourable Lord Millet

** ad hoc international Tribunal Arbitral as set out in article 19 of the Treaty
of Canterbury, in article 40 of the Concession Agreement of 1986 and the
Arbitration Protocol of 1987

NB: The Tribunal has also examined a petition which Eurotunnel joined to the
process in December 2004, relating to the distortion of competition created by
the excessive support received from the authorities by SeaFrance since 1998 in
the form of recapitalisation, the use of the GIE fiscal status and the
reimbursement of employer's contributions and other public guarantees. This
additional request concerning SeaFrance was rejected because the Tribunal
believed that the texts of the Concession agreement did not allow it to rule on
this part of the litigation.

No 008/2007

For media enquiries contact The Press Office on + 44 (0) 1303 284491.
Email: press@eurotunnel.com

                               www.eurotunnel.com

Eurotunnel manages the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel and operates
accompanied truck shuttle and passenger shuttle (car and coach) services between
Folkestone, UK and Calais, France.  Eurotunnel also earns toll revenue from
train operators (Eurostar for rail passengers, and EWS and SNCF for rail
freight) which use the Tunnel. Eurotunnel is quoted in London, Paris and
Brussels.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

STRVXLFLDLBLBBL
Eutelsat Communications (LSE:ETL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024 Click Here for more Eutelsat Communications Charts.
Eutelsat Communications (LSE:ETL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024 Click Here for more Eutelsat Communications Charts.