1 State Aid Weekly e-News Nr. 32/06, 29.09.2006 22.09.2006 - 28.09.2006 Highlights ‘Poste Italiane` - Commission endorses €2.4 billion public service compensation for 2000-2005; opens investigation into interest rates for funds collected as of 2005 The European Commission has decided not to raise objections under EC Treaty state aid rules to compensation paid to ‘Poste Italiane` from 2000 to 2005 to meet the costs of fulfilling its public service obligations. However, the Commission has opened a formal investigation under the state aid rules into the level of interest rates applied to the funds collected from ‘Poste Italiane’s customers` current accounts and deposited with the Treasury as of 2005. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed measures. It does not prejudge on the outcome of the procedure. Read more Commission investigates proposed new Danish CO 2 tax reductions The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to examine whether Danish plans to grant CO 2 tax exemptions to companies covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) are compatible with EC Treaty state aid rules. The Commission is concerned that the measure might distort competition by increasing tax differentiation in an area where the EU has harmonised taxes in order to create a level playing field between companies. Furthermore, the Danish measure might run against the “polluter-pays” principle, a leading principle of the EU’s environmental policy, as companies participating in the EU ETS have received most of the emission allowances for free. The opening of a formal investigation gives interested parties the opportunity to comment on the intended measures. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure. Read more The need for a renewed European energy policy Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy OFGEM seminar on Powering the Energy Debate: Europe - Competition and Regulation London, 28 th September 2006 To read the full speech, click here I. Draft legislation and public consultations The Commission has adopted on 20/9/2006, a revised proposal reviewing de minimis Regulation No 69/2001. This proposal will be discussed with Member States in an Advisory Committee scheduled in November. To read the full text, click here cs da de et el en es fr it lt lv hu mt nl pl pt sk sl fi sv For further information, click here Deadline for comments: 20 October 2006 Interested parties may submit their comments to the following address: European Commission
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State Aid Weekly e-News · 22.09.2006 France Employment aid in the hotel, bar and restaurant sector - France N 511/2006 Employment aid 26.09.2006 Hungary Excise duty reduction for
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SSttaattee AAiidd WWeeeekkllyy ee--NNeewwss Nr. 32/06, 29.09.2006 22.09.2006 - 28.09.2006 HHiigghhlliigghhttss ‘Poste Italiane` - Commission endorses €2.4 billion public service compensation for 2000-2005; opens investigation into interest rates for funds collected as of 2005 The European Commission has decided not to raise objections under EC Treaty state aid rules to compensation paid to ‘Poste Italiane` from 2000 to 2005 to meet the costs of fulfilling its public service obligations. However, the Commission has opened a formal investigation under the state aid rules into the level of interest rates applied to the funds collected from ‘Poste Italiane’s customers` current accounts and deposited with the Treasury as of 2005. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed measures. It does not prejudge on the outcome of the procedure. Read more Commission investigates proposed new Danish CO2 tax reductions The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to examine whether Danish plans to grant CO2 tax exemptions to companies covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) are compatible with EC Treaty state aid rules. The Commission is concerned that the measure might distort competition by increasing tax differentiation in an area where the EU has harmonised taxes in order to create a level playing field between companies. Furthermore, the Danish measure might run against the “polluter-pays” principle, a leading principle of the EU’s environmental policy, as companies participating in the EU ETS have received most of the emission allowances for free. The opening of a formal investigation gives interested parties the opportunity to comment on the intended measures. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure. Read more The need for a renewed European energy policy Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy OFGEM seminar on Powering the Energy Debate: Europe - Competition and Regulation London, 28th September 2006 To read the full speech, click here
II.. DDrraafftt lleeggiissllaattiioonn aanndd ppuubblliicc ccoonnssuullttaattiioonnss The Commission has adopted on 20/9/2006, a revised proposal reviewing de minimis Regulation No 69/2001. This proposal will be discussed with Member States in an Advisory Committee scheduled in November. To read the full text, click here cs da de et el en es fr it lt lv hu mt nl pl pt sk sl fi sv For further information, click here Deadline for comments: 20 October 2006 Interested parties may submit their comments to the following address: European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition Consultation (HT 368) State aid Registry B-1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 E-mail: [email protected] Draft Community framework for state aid for research and development and innovation The State Aid Action Plan adopted in June 2005 stated that the Commission would consider to create a Framework for R&D and Innovation. When prolonging the Community Framework for State aid for Research and Development in December 2005, the Commission had announced that all interested parties would receive an opportunity to submit comments with regard to the revision of the R&D-rules. Accordingly, a draft of the Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development and Innovation was published on 30 May 2006, in order to give all interested parties the opportunity to submit comments on the measures proposed therein. Following this first consultation, a new draft has been published. To read the full text, click here da de et en es fr it nl pt fi sv cs el lt lv hu pl sk sl Deadline for comments: 13 October 2006 Interested parties may submit their comments to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition State aid Registry B-1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 E-mail: [email protected] Closed public consultations: DG Competition
DG Agriculture DG Transport and Energy DG Fisheries
Denmark Modification of the CO2 tax for quota-regulated fuel consumption in the industry
Press release
C 41/2006 (ex N 318a/2004)
26.09.2006
Italy Poste Italiane SpA - BancoPosta: remuneration of current accounts deposited with the Treasury
Press release
C 42/2006 (ex NN 52/2006)
Regional development aid
26.09.2006
22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppeennddiinngg OOJJ ppuubblliiccaattiioonn Click here to see the full list 33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ ffrroomm 2288..0088..22000055 ttoo 2288..0099..22000066 –– FFoorrmmaall ccoommmmeennttss ppeerriioodd rruunnnniinngg * Where the last day of the public comments period falls on a public holiday in a Member State, the deadline for comments of parties residing in that Member State ends on the following working day.
Country Title/Links to documents Case
number Objective Decision date
DG Competition cases
Portugal Temporary Defensive Mechanism to Shipbuilding, Portugal
OJ C 223 of 16.09.2006, p. 4 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
Deadline for comments*: 16.10.2006
C 26/2006 (ex N 110/2006)
22.06.2006
Italy Excise tax reduction for biofuel
OJ C 218 of 09.09.2006, p. 2 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
Deadline for comments*: 09.10.2006
C 30/2006 (ex N 367/2005 and N 623/2005)
04.07.2006
Italy Preferential Electricity Tariff for Energy Intensive Industries in Italy
OJ C 214 of 06.09.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
Press release
Deadline for comments*: 06.10.2006
C 36/2006 (ex NN 38/2006)
Regional development aid
19.07.2006
Italy Projet d'intervention en faveur de la société Nuova Mineraria Silius S.p.A.
OJ C 210 of 01.09.2006, p. 39 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
Slovakia Restructuring aid to KONAS - Slovakia C 42/2005 Restructuring aid 26.09.2006
DG Agriculture cases
Netherlands Subsidy for a malt house
Press release
C 14/2005 26.09.2006
22.. PPuubblliicc vveerrssiioonnss ooff ddeecciissiioonnss mmaaddee aavvaaiillaabbllee * The working language versions (English or French) of the decisions linked to this section are internal Commission documents which are made available for information purposes only. For the authentic language versions of the no objections decisions, links are made to the website of the Commission’s Secretariat General.
22..11.. NNoo oobbjjeeccttiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss Country Title Case number Objective Decision
- none - 33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ 33..11.. NNoo oobbjjeeccttiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss * Decisions not to raise objections are frequently grouped together in one single document for publication in the Official Journal. Since the link can only be made to the top of the first page of the document, you may have to scroll down in the document to find a particular case.
Poland Restructuring aid for Chemobudowa Krakow Closure of procedure following withdrawal of notification
C 49/2005 Restructuring aid
26.09.2006
VVII.. BBlloocckk eexxeemmppttiioonnss IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn sshheeeettss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ * Block exemption information sheets are frequently grouped together in one single document for publication in the Official Journal. Since the link can only be made to the top of the first page of the document, you may have to scroll down in the document to find a particular case.
Country Title/Links to documents* Case
number Objective
Belgium P&O PORTS ANTWERP
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 16 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 25/2006 Training aid
Belgium VAN HOOL
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 15 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 24/2006 Training aid
France Investissement des PME - Objectif 2 Ile-de-France 2000-2006
OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 6 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
Germany Richtlinie des Ministeriums für Wirtschaft zur Förderung von Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvorhaben von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen im Land Brandenburg
OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 11 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XS 81/2006 SME aid
Germany Technologie- und Innovationsprogramm NRW (TIP)
OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 10 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XS 80/2006 SME aid
Germany IHK Projektgesellschaft mbH
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 13 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 13/2006 Training aid
Germany INNOPUNKT 14 "Allianzen zwischen Kultur und Wirtschaft fördern Wachstum und Beschäftigung in Brandenburg"
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 10 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 5/2006 Training aid
Germany INNOPUNKT 12 "Zukunftschancen durch clusterorientierte regionale Verzahnungsprozesse"
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 4/2006 Training aid
Germany INNOPUNKT 13 " Perspektiven für qualifizierte junge Frauen im Land Brandenburg"
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 3/2006 Training aid
Hungary Equal Közösségi Kezdeményezés
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 21/2006 Training aid
Hungary Training aid Hungary
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XT 16/2006 Training aid
Italy Regime di aiuti alle piccole imprese operanti nei settori dell'artigianato, del commercio, dei servizi e del turismo
OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
XS 60/2006 SME aid
Italy Programma pluriennale di interventi diretti a favorire la ripresa produttiva del Molise a seguito degli eventi calamitosi (Molise)
OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 18 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
11.. CCoouurrtt ooff FFiirrsstt IInnssttaannccee Court case Title Country Type of act Date Related case
T-117/04 Werkgroep Commerciële Jachthavens Zuidelijke Randmeren and Others v. Commission
Netherlands Judgement 27.09.2006 C 10/2003 (ex NN 135/2002, CP 30/2001)
OJ L 34 of 06.02.2004, p. 63 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
22.. CCoouurrtt ooff JJuussttiiccee
- none -
VVIIIIII.. EEuurrooppeeaann EEccoonnoommiicc AArreeaa Based on the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), the EFTA States participating in the EEA have entrusted the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court with similar decision making powers to that of the Commission and the European Court of Justice, respectively, in the field of state aid for the EFTA States.
IIXX.. AAddddiittiioonnaall ppooiinnttss ooff iinntteerreesstt European Parliament resolution on the Commission White Paper on services of general interest Text adopted at the sitting of 27th September 2006 EEvveennttss Seminar: State Aid Policy and Practice in the European Community - An Integrative and Interactive Approach. The standard seminar aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the concept,
procedures of state aid and conditions under which state aid may be granted. It also aims to familiarise officials with the experiences in other Member States regarding national policies and coordination of aid granted by different authorities. The advanced workshop focuses on a narrow range of issues and goes into greater depth. The lectures are given by recognised experts on those issues. Maastricht, 26-27 October 2006 For further information, click here 22nd FIDE Congress Limassol - Cyprus, 1-4 November 2006 For further information, click here Tenth Forum on European State Aid Law For the tenth consecutive year ERA will organise the State Aid Forum. This forum provides a unique platform for discussion and the exchange of views and experience between various players – both private and institutional –in this field. The aim is to examine developments since last year and to promote debate through expert input on topical subjects of public interest. Trier, 13-14 November 2006 For further information, click here Conference “The Law of EC State Aid”. The European State Aid Law Institute serves as a forum in which Commission officials, officials from the 25 European Member States and the countries that will accede to the European Union, private practitioners, and university academics are able to meet, exchange ideas and/or argue in favour of the positions they represent in the area of European State aid law. London, 17 November 2006 For further information, click here Workshop: State Aid Procedures and Enforcement. The workshop aims to meet the needs of middle managers and senior officials from all levels of government and local authorities, officials from public enterprises, representatives of business and trade associations and lawyers and economists involved in state aid procedures. The workshop will provide a forum for comparing national experiences as regards administrative arrangements for notifying and registering aid and the enforcement of recovery decisions. There will also be a working group exercise on the assessment of cases that combine state aid with structural funds. Maastricht, 23-24 November 2006 For further information, click here MMiisscceellllaanneeaa Commission confirms Bulgaria’s and Romania’s EU accession on 1 January 2007, completed by a rigorous package of accompanying measures The European Commission adopted its final monitoring report on the preparedness of Bulgaria and Romania for EU membership. Based on the solid progress achieved, the Commission considers that both countries will be in a position to take on the rights and obligations of EU membership on 1 January 2007. To address the limited number of areas where further work will be necessary, the Commission proposes a package of rigorous accompanying measures. Read more
To read the Monitoring Report, click here
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission: Presentation of Bulgaria & Romania accession report - speech
Accompanying measures in the context of Bulgaria’s and Romania’s accession
Key findings of the monitoring report on Bulgaria’s preparedness for EU accession
Key findings of the monitoring report on Romania’s preparedness for EU accession Renewable energy: Commission proposes to extend energy crop aid scheme to all Member States The European Commission proposed to extend the energy crop premium introduced by the 2003 Common Agricultural Policy reform to the eight Member States which currently do not benefit from it. This would involve increasing the maximum area which can benefit from the aid to 2 million hectares from 1.5 million at present. In a further push to encourage the production of feedstocks for renewable energy production, the Commission also proposed allowing the Member States to grant national aid of up to 50 percent of the costs of establishing multiannual crops on areas on which an application for the energy crop aid has been made. In the interests of simplifying the management of the CAP, the Commission has also proposed to allow eight Member States which joined the EU in 2004 to continue operating the Single Area Payment Scheme for a further two years until 2010. The countries affected are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Read more Ombudsman: EU subsidies and lobbying should be transparent Read more Regulation (EC) No 1367/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on the application of the provisions of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters to Community institutions and bodies OJ L 264 of 25.09.2006, p. 13 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv
Next publication date: 06.10.2006 Previous issues Subscription: If you wish to subscribe to “State Aid Weekly e-News” and receive it every Friday in your Inbox for free, please click here. To unsubscribe, please, use the same link. Please, note that the information requested under “Change personal details” is not compulsory. In order to complete the subscription it is sufficient to fill in the data requested under “Add subscription”. About e-News: This e-News is issued every week to present the latest developments in the area of State aid. It features information on new legislative texts and proposals, decisions of the European Commission and the Courts of the European Union and other state aid–related documents and events. A great deal of additional information on State aid matters is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en.html Other documents related to the cases, can be found under the link to the State aid Register: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/register/ Publisher: European Commission DG Competition Unit I-3 – State aid Network and Transparency Chief Editor: Wolfgang Mederer Editing team: Piotr Papieski, Sylwia Jaromin, Helga van den Steen, Pilar Huerta mailto: [email protected]