The European Commission promised fast-track approval of national bank aid schemes across Europe this afternoon - as long as governments comply with state aid and fair competition rules to the letter. As European capitals lined up to announce their bail-out plans based on a liquidity and inter-bank lending scheme, Brussels issued a ``guidance'' note, reminding member states that the rules must not be compromised. All state aid to industry - including the banking sector - must be authorised by the Commission, which guards against unfair government cash injections which impede competition in Europe. Since the current financial crisis began, the Commission has warned it will not waive rules which are ``part of the solution, not part of the problem'', according to Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes. Last night in Paris a financial crisis declaration by the 15 ``eurozone'' member states emphasised that the principles of the state aid regime had to be upheld, but urged the Commission ``to act quickly and apply flexibility in state aid decisions''.