# Den Europæiske Unions C 288/19.

| | ISSN 1725-2393 |
| --- | --- |
| Den Europæiske Unions
  Tidende | C 288 |
| | |
| Dansk udgave | Meddelelser og oplysninger | 48. årgang19. november 2005 |

ISSN 1725-2393

Den Europæiske Unions

Tidende

C 288

Dansk udgave

Meddelelser og oplysninger

48. årgang19. november 2005

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| Informationsnummer | Indhold | Side |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Meddelelser |
| | Kommissionen |
| 2005/C 288/1 | Euroens vekselkurs | 1 |
| 2005/C 288/2 | Høringskonsulentens endelige rapport i sag/M. 3440 — EDP/ENI/GDP (udarbejdet i henhold til artikel 15 i Kommissionens afgørelse (2001/462/EF, EKSF) af 23. maj 2001 om høringskonsulentens kompetenceområde under behandlingen af visse konkurrencesager — EFT L 162 af 19.6.2001, s. 21)
   (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| 2005/C 288/3 | Udtalelse afgivet af Det Rådgivende Udvalg for Kontrol med Fusioner og Virksomhedsovertagelser på dets 130. møde den 26. november 2004 om et foreløbigt udkast til beslutning i sag COMP/M.3440 — EDP/ENI/GDP (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2005/C 288/4 | Offentliggørelse af en ansøgning om registrering i henhold til artikel 6, stk. 2, i forordning (EØF) nr. 2081/92 om beskyttelse af geografiske betegnelser og oprindelsesbetegnelser | 5 |
| 2005/C 288/5 | Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4006 — Crédit Agricole/Banca Intesa/Nextra Investment Management) — Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| 2005/C 288/6 | Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4039 — Arrow/DNS) — Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure (
  1
  ) | 10 |
| 2005/C 288/7 | Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4022 — Den belgiske stat/CVC/Post Danmark/De Post-La Poste) — Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure (
  1
  ) | 11 |
| 2005/C 288/8 | Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4003 — Ericsson/Marconi) (
  1
  ) | 12 |
| 2005/C 288/9 | Statsstøtte — Det Forenede Kongerige — Statsstøtte nr. C 36/2005 (ex N 373/2005 og CP 255/2005) — Det Forenede Kongerige Investbx — Opfordring til at fremsætte bemærkninger i henhold EF-traktatens artikel 88, stk. 2 (
  1
  ) | 13 |

Informationsnummer

Indhold

Side

I   Meddelelser

Kommissionen

2005/C 288/1

Euroens vekselkurs

1

2005/C 288/2

Høringskonsulentens endelige rapport i sag/M. 3440 — EDP/ENI/GDP (udarbejdet i henhold til artikel 15 i Kommissionens afgørelse (2001/462/EF, EKSF) af 23. maj 2001 om høringskonsulentens kompetenceområde under behandlingen af visse konkurrencesager — EFT L 162 af 19.6.2001, s. 21)
   (
  1
  )

(udarbejdet i henhold til artikel 15 i Kommissionens afgørelse (2001/462/EF, EKSF) af 23. maj 2001 om høringskonsulentens kompetenceområde under behandlingen af visse konkurrencesager — EFT L 162 af 19.6.2001, s. 21)

1

2

2005/C 288/3

Udtalelse afgivet af Det Rådgivende Udvalg for Kontrol med Fusioner og Virksomhedsovertagelser på dets 130. møde den 26. november 2004 om et foreløbigt udkast til beslutning i sag COMP/M.3440 — EDP/ENI/GDP (
  1
  )

1

3

2005/C 288/4

Offentliggørelse af en ansøgning om registrering i henhold til artikel 6, stk. 2, i forordning (EØF) nr. 2081/92 om beskyttelse af geografiske betegnelser og oprindelsesbetegnelser

5

2005/C 288/5

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4006 — Crédit Agricole/Banca Intesa/Nextra Investment Management) — Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure (
  1
  )

1

9

2005/C 288/6

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4039 — Arrow/DNS) — Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure (
  1
  )

1

10

2005/C 288/7

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4022 — Den belgiske stat/CVC/Post Danmark/De Post-La Poste) — Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure (
  1
  )

1

11

2005/C 288/8

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.4003 — Ericsson/Marconi) (
  1
  )

1

12

2005/C 288/9

Statsstøtte — Det Forenede Kongerige — Statsstøtte nr. C 36/2005 (ex N 373/2005 og CP 255/2005) — Det Forenede Kongerige Investbx — Opfordring til at fremsætte bemærkninger i henhold EF-traktatens artikel 88, stk. 2 (
  1
  )

1

13

| | III   Oplysninger |
| --- | --- |
| | Kommissionen |
| 2005/C 288/0 | Meddelelse om indkaldelse af forslag INFSO-MEDIA 11/2005 — Media-uddannelse (2001-2006) | 19 |

III   Oplysninger

Kommissionen

2005/C 288/0

Meddelelse om indkaldelse af forslag INFSO-MEDIA 11/2005 — Media-uddannelse (2001-2006)

19

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   EØS-relevant tekst |

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(1)   EØS-relevant tekst

1

| DA | |
| --- | --- |

DA

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I Meddelelser

Kommissionen

| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/1

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Euroens vekselkurs (1)

18. november 2005

(2005/C 288/01)

1 euro=

| | Valuta | Kurs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | amerikanske dollar | 1,1679 |
| JPY | japanske yen | 139,27 |
| DKK | danske kroner | 7,4563 |
| GBP | pund sterling | 0,68150 |
| SEK | svenske kroner | 9,5675 |
| CHF | schweiziske franc | 1,5468 |
| ISK | islandske kroner | 72,48 |
| NOK | norske kroner | 7,8820 |
| BGN | bulgarske lev | 1,9559 |
| CYP | cypriotiske pund | 0,5734 |
| CZK | tjekkiske koruna | 29,347 |
| EEK | estiske kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | ungarske forint | 252,63 |
| LTL | litauiske litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | lettiske lats | 0,6961 |
| MTL | maltesiske lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | polske zloty | 3,9734 |
| RON | rumænske lei | 3,6452 |
| SIT | slovenske tolar | 239,52 |
| SKK | slovakiske koruna | 38,684 |
| TRY | tyrkiske lira | 1,6033 |
| AUD | australske dollar | 1,5966 |
| CAD | canadiske dollar | 1,3892 |
| HKD | hongkongske dollar | 9,0554 |
| NZD | newzealandske dollar | 1,7028 |
| SGD | singaporeanske dollar | 1,9872 |
| KRW | sydkoreanske won | 1 210,29 |
| ZAR | sydafrikanske rand | 7,8526 |
| CNY | kinesiske renminbi yuan | 9,4404 |
| HRK | kroatiske kuna | 7,3610 |
| IDR | indonesiske rupiah | 11 789,95 |
| MYR | malaysiske ringgit | 4,415 |
| PHP | filippinske pesos | 63,721 |
| RUB | russiske rubler | 33,7180 |
| THB | thailandske bath | 48,129 |

Valuta

Kurs

USD

amerikanske dollar

1,1679

JPY

japanske yen

139,27

DKK

danske kroner

7,4563

GBP

pund sterling

0,68150

SEK

svenske kroner

9,5675

CHF

schweiziske franc

1,5468

ISK

islandske kroner

72,48

NOK

norske kroner

7,8820

BGN

bulgarske lev

1,9559

CYP

cypriotiske pund

0,5734

CZK

tjekkiske koruna

29,347

EEK

estiske kroon

15,6466

HUF

ungarske forint

252,63

LTL

litauiske litas

3,4528

LVL

lettiske lats

0,6961

MTL

maltesiske lira

0,4293

PLN

polske zloty

3,9734

RON

rumænske lei

3,6452

SIT

slovenske tolar

239,52

SKK

slovakiske koruna

38,684

TRY

tyrkiske lira

1,6033

AUD

australske dollar

1,5966

CAD

canadiske dollar

1,3892

HKD

hongkongske dollar

9,0554

NZD

newzealandske dollar

1,7028

SGD

singaporeanske dollar

1,9872

KRW

sydkoreanske won

1 210,29

ZAR

sydafrikanske rand

7,8526

CNY

kinesiske renminbi yuan

9,4404

HRK

kroatiske kuna

7,3610

IDR

indonesiske rupiah

11 789,95

MYR

malaysiske ringgit

4,415

PHP

filippinske pesos

63,721

RUB

russiske rubler

33,7180

THB

thailandske bath

48,129

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(1)

Kilde: Referencekurs offentliggjort af Den Europæiske Centralbank.

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| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/2

---

Høringskonsulentens endelige rapport i sag/M. 3440 — EDP/ENI/GDP

(udarbejdet i henhold til artikel 15 i Kommissionens afgørelse (2001/462/EF, EKSF) af 23. maj 2001 om høringskonsulentens kompetenceområde under behandlingen af visse konkurrencesager — EFT L 162 af 19.6.2001, s. 21)

(2005/C 288/02)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

Den 9. juli 2004 modtog Kommissionen en anmeldelse, i henhold til artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), i Rådets forordning nr. 4064/89, af en planlagt fusion, hvorved virksomhederne EDP og ENI ville opnå fælles kontrol med virksomheden GDP.

Efter sagsbehandlingens første fase konkluderede Kommissionen, at der var alvorlig tvivl om, hvorvidt transaktionen var forenelig med fællesmarkedet. Den 12. august 2004 indledte Kommissionen derfor proceduren i henhold til fusionsforordningens artikel 6, stk. 1, litra c).

Den 12. oktober 2004 tilsendte Kommissionen parterne en klagepunktsmeddelelse, hvori den foreløbigt konkluderede, at den foreslåede transaktion var uforenelig med fællesmarkedet, eftersom den ville: (i) styrke EDP's dominerende stilling på det portugisiske engros- og detailmarked for elektricitet og på markedet for levering af hjælpeydelser og (ii) styrke GDP's dominerende stilling på det portugisiske marked for levering af gas til kombinerede gas- og turbinekraftværker, store industrikunder og lokale distributionsselskaber og på markedet for levering af gas til mindre kunder (industrikunder, erhvervskunder og private kunder).

Parterne fik aktindsigt ved hjælp af en cd-rom, som blev fremsendt sammen med klagepunktsmeddelelsen. De svarede på klagepunktsmeddelelsen den 27. oktober 2004. Parterne afstod fra at benytte sig af retten til en formel høring.

Den 28. oktober 2004 afgav parterne tilsagn, som skulle imødegå de konkurrencemæssige problemer, som Kommissionen havde påpeget i sin klagepunktsmeddelelse. De foreslåede tilsagn blev gjort til genstand for en markedsundersøgelse, hvis resultat blev meddelt parterne. Kommissionen anså tilsagnene for at være utilstrækkelige. Den 17. november 2004 fremsendte parterne nye tilsagn, som kun omfattede mindre ændringer af de oprindeligt fremsendte tilsagn.

Den 19. november 2004 tilsendte Kommissionen medlemmerne af Det Rådgivende Udvalg for Kontrol med Fusioner og Virksomhedsovertagelser et udkast til en beslutning i henhold til artikel 8, stk. 3, i fusionsforordningen, hvori den erklærede den foreslåede fusion, som ændret ved de foreslåede tilsagn, uforenelig med fællesmarkedet.

Sagen giver ikke anledning til nogen særlige bemærkninger vedrørende retten til at blive hørt.

Bruxelles, den 29. november 2004.

Serge DURANDE

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| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/3

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Udtalelse afgivet af Det Rådgivende Udvalg for Kontrol med Fusioner og Virksomhedsovertagelser på dets 130. møde den 26. november 2004 om et foreløbigt udkast til beslutning i sag COMP/M.3440 — EDP/ENI/GDP

(2005/C 288/03)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

| 1. | Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at den anmeldte transaktion udgør en fusion som omhandlet i artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), i forordning 4064/89, og at den har fællesskabsdimension. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at den anmeldte transaktion udgør en fusion som omhandlet i artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), i forordning 4064/89, og at den har fællesskabsdimension.

| 2. | Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at med henblik på vurderingen af den pågældende transaktion er de relevante produktmarkeder følgende:

  for elektricitet:






  a) | engrossalg af elektricitet, bestående i produktion af elektricitet på kraftværker og elektricitet importeret gennem elsamkøringslinjer |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at med henblik på vurderingen af den pågældende transaktion er de relevante produktmarkeder følgende:

for elektricitet:

a)

engrossalg af elektricitet, bestående i produktion af elektricitet på kraftværker og elektricitet importeret gennem elsamkøringslinjer

| b) | levering af balancekraft og hjælpeydelser, medens spørgsmålet om en nærmere afgrænsning af dette(disse) nye marked(er) kan lades åbent |
| --- | --- |

b)

levering af balancekraft og hjælpeydelser, medens spørgsmålet om en nærmere afgrænsning af dette(disse) nye marked(er) kan lades åbent

| c) | detailsalg af elektricitet til store industrikunder (LIC) — (højspænding (HV) og mellemspænding (MV)) |
| --- | --- |

c)

detailsalg af elektricitet til store industrikunder (LIC) — (højspænding (HV) og mellemspænding (MV))

| d) | detailsalg af elektricitet til småkunder (dvs. mindre industrikunder, erhvervskunder og private kunder — lavspænding (LV) |
| --- | --- |

d)

detailsalg af elektricitet til småkunder (dvs. mindre industrikunder, erhvervskunder og private kunder — lavspænding (LV)

for naturgas, så snart produktmarkederne er åbnet:

| e) | levering af gas til gasfyrede kraftværker (CCGT) |
| --- | --- |

e)

levering af gas til gasfyrede kraftværker (CCGT)

| f) | levering af gas til lokale distributionsselskaber (LDC) |
| --- | --- |

f)

levering af gas til lokale distributionsselskaber (LDC)

| g) | levering af gas til store industrikunder (LIC) |
| --- | --- |

g)

levering af gas til store industrikunder (LIC)

| h) | levering af gas til småkunder (dvs. mindre industrikunder, erhvervskunder og private kunder). |
| --- | --- |

h)

levering af gas til småkunder (dvs. mindre industrikunder, erhvervskunder og private kunder).

| 3. | Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at med henblik på vurderingen af den pågældende transaktion er de relevante geografiske markeder følgende:






  a) | engrosmarkedet for elektricitet omfatter kun Portugal, hvilket vil være tilfældet i hele den periode, som beslutningen omfatter, bl.a. på grund af de forskellige konkurrencebetingelser i de to iberiske lande, som ikke vil ændre sig i en overskuelig fremtid |
| --- | --- | --- |

3.

Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at med henblik på vurderingen af den pågældende transaktion er de relevante geografiske markeder følgende:

a)

engrosmarkedet for elektricitet omfatter kun Portugal, hvilket vil være tilfældet i hele den periode, som beslutningen omfatter, bl.a. på grund af de forskellige konkurrencebetingelser i de to iberiske lande, som ikke vil ændre sig i en overskuelig fremtid

| b) | detailmarkederne for elektricitet omfatter kun Portugal |
| --- | --- |

b)

detailmarkederne for elektricitet omfatter kun Portugal

| c) | det geografiske marked for balancekraft og hjælpeydelser vil forblive nationalt |
| --- | --- |

c)

det geografiske marked for balancekraft og hjælpeydelser vil forblive nationalt

| d) | hvad angår ovennævnte gasproduktmarkeder, er alle markeder, undtagen markedet for levering af gas til småkunder, nationale i omfang, medens spørgsmålet om det nøjagtige geografiske omfang af markedet for levering til småkunder, som kan forventes at blive nationalt kort tid efter, at markedet er blevet åbnet for konkurrence, og udelukkende nationalt, kan lades åbent. |
| --- | --- |

d)

hvad angår ovennævnte gasproduktmarkeder, er alle markeder, undtagen markedet for levering af gas til småkunder, nationale i omfang, medens spørgsmålet om det nøjagtige geografiske omfang af markedet for levering til småkunder, som kan forventes at blive nationalt kort tid efter, at markedet er blevet åbnet for konkurrence, og udelukkende nationalt, kan lades åbent.

| 4. | Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at den anmeldte transaktion vil styrke:






  a) | EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for engrossalg af elektricitet |
| --- | --- | --- |

4.

Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at den anmeldte transaktion vil styrke:

a)

EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for engrossalg af elektricitet

| b) | EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for hjælpeydelser |
| --- | --- |

b)

EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for hjælpeydelser

| c) | EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markederne for detailsalg af elektricitet til LIC'er |
| --- | --- |

c)

EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markederne for detailsalg af elektricitet til LIC'er

| d) | EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markederne for detailsalg af elektricitet til småkunder |
| --- | --- |

d)

EDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markederne for detailsalg af elektricitet til småkunder

| e) | GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for levering af naturgas til CCGT'er |
| --- | --- |

e)

GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for levering af naturgas til CCGT'er

| f) | GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for levering af naturgas til LDC'er |
| --- | --- |

f)

GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for levering af naturgas til LDC'er

| g) | GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for levering af naturgas til LIC'er |
| --- | --- |

g)

GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på markedet for levering af naturgas til LIC'er

| h) | GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på det nationale marked (eller på fem regionale markeder) for levering af naturgas til småkunder, |
| --- | --- |

h)

GDP's dominerende stilling i Portugal på det nationale marked (eller på fem regionale markeder) for levering af naturgas til småkunder,

hvorved konkurrencen i fællesmarkedet ville blive hæmmet betydeligt som omhandlet i artikel 2, stk. 3, i fusionsforordningen.

| 5. | Et flertal i det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at de af parterne fremsendte tilsagn er utilstrækkelige til at fjerne






  a) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer på engrosmarkedet for elektricitet, som skyldes de horisontale virkninger af transaktionen (eliminering af den vigtigste potentielle konkurrent) |
| --- | --- | --- |

5.

Et flertal i det rådgivende udvalg er enigt med Kommissionen i, at de af parterne fremsendte tilsagn er utilstrækkelige til at fjerne

a)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer på engrosmarkedet for elektricitet, som skyldes de horisontale virkninger af transaktionen (eliminering af den vigtigste potentielle konkurrent)

| b) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer på engrosmarkedet for elektricitet, som skyldes følgende vertikale virkninger:






  i. | den privilegerede adgang til gasinfrastruktur |
| --- | --- | --- |

b)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer på engrosmarkedet for elektricitet, som skyldes følgende vertikale virkninger:

i.

den privilegerede adgang til gasinfrastruktur

| ii. | forøgelse af konkurrenternes omkostninger |
| --- | --- |

ii.

forøgelse af konkurrenternes omkostninger

| iii. | adgang til fortrolige oplysninger (gaspriser og daglige gasnomineringer) |
| --- | --- |

iii.

adgang til fortrolige oplysninger (gaspriser og daglige gasnomineringer)

| c) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for hjælpeydelser |
| --- | --- |

c)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for hjælpeydelser

| d) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer inden for detailsalg af elektricitet til LIC'er |
| --- | --- |

d)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer inden for detailsalg af elektricitet til LIC'er

| e) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer inden for detailsalg af elektricitet til småkunder |
| --- | --- |

e)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer inden for detailsalg af elektricitet til småkunder

| f) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for salg af gas til CCGT'er |
| --- | --- |

f)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for salg af gas til CCGT'er

| g) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for salg af gas til LDC'er |
| --- | --- |

g)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for salg af gas til LDC'er

| h) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for salg af gas til LIC'er |
| --- | --- |

h)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet for salg af gas til LIC'er

| i) | de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet/markederne for salg af gas til småkunder, |
| --- | --- |

i)

de konkurrencemæssige problemer på markedet/markederne for salg af gas til småkunder,

og at fusionen derfor bør erklæres for uforenelig med fællesmarkedet.

Et mindretal undlader at tage stilling.

| 6. | Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt om at anmode Kommissionen om at tage hensyn til de bemærkninger, udvalget har fremsat, og henstiller, at dets udtalelse offentliggøres i Den Europæiske Unions Tidende. |
| --- | --- |

6.

Det rådgivende udvalg er enigt om at anmode Kommissionen om at tage hensyn til de bemærkninger, udvalget har fremsat, og henstiller, at dets udtalelse offentliggøres i Den Europæiske Unions Tidende.

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| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/5

---

Offentliggørelse af en ansøgning om registrering i henhold til artikel 6, stk. 2, i forordning (EØF) nr. 2081/92 om beskyttelse af geografiske betegnelser og oprindelsesbetegnelser

(2005/C 288/04)

Med denne offentliggørelse åbnes der mulighed for at fremsætte indsigelser, jf. artikel 7 og 12d i nævnte forordning. Enhver indsigelse mod denne ansøgning skal fremsættes via myndighederne i en medlemsstat, i en WTO-medlemsstat eller i et tredjeland, der er anerkendt efter proceduren i artikel 12, stk. 3, senest seks måneder efter denne offentliggørelse. Offentliggørelsen er begrundet i de forhold, som er beskrevet nedenfor, navnlig under 4.6, der giver grundlag for at betragte ansøgningen som berettiget efter forordning (EØF) nr. 2081/92.

SAMMENFATNING

RÅDETS FORORDNING (EØF) Nr. 2081/92

»AZEITONAS DE CONSERVA DE ELVAS E CAMPO MAIOR«

EF-nr.: PT/00216/10.12.2001

BOB ( X ) BGB ( )

Denne sammenfatning er udarbejdet til oplysning. De fuldstændige oplysninger, bl.a. om producenter af produkter, der er omfattet af den pågældende BOB eller BGB, kan findes i den fuldstændige udgave af varespecifikationen enten i medlemsstaten eller hos Kommissionens tjenestegrene.

1.   Medlemsstatens ansvarlige myndighed

| Navn: | Instituto de Desenvolvimento Rural e Hidráulica |
| --- | --- |
| Adresse: | Av. Afonso Costa, 3. |
| PT-1949-002 Lisboa |

Navn:

Instituto de Desenvolvimento Rural e Hidráulica

Adresse:

Av. Afonso Costa, 3.

PT-1949-002 Lisboa

Tlf.

(351) 21 844 22 00

Fax

(351) 21 844 22 02

E-mail:

idrha@idrha.min-agricultura.pt

2.   Ansøger

2.1   Navn: AGRODELTA Indústrias Alimentares L.da (ansøgning om registrering indgivet af en juridisk person og ikke af en sammenslutning af producenter, jf. artikel 1 i forordning (EØF) nr. 2037/93).

2.2   Adresse:

| Zona Industrial, PT-7370 Campo Maior |
| --- |
| Tlf. (351) 268 68 01 40 |
| Fax (351) 268 68 01 41 |
| E-mail: agrodelta@delta-cafes.pt |

Zona Industrial, PT-7370 Campo Maior

Tlf. (351) 268 68 01 40

Fax (351) 268 68 01 41

E-mail: agrodelta@delta-cafes.pt

2.3   Sammensætning: producenter/forarbejdningsvirksomheder (X) andet ( )

3.   Produkttype

Kategori 1.6 — Frugt, grønsager og korn, også forarbejdet.

4.   Beskrivelse af varespecifikationen

(sammenfatning af betingelserne i artikel 4, stk. 2)

4.1   Navn: »Azeitonas de Conserva de Elvas e Campo Maior«

4.2   Beskrivelse: Produkt fremstillet af frugter af sorterne Azeiteira, Carrasquenha, Redondil og Conserva, af arten Olea europea sativa Hoffg Link, som har opnået passende modning og undergået følgende processer:

nedlægning i saltlage af sødede grønne oliven

nedlægning i saltlage af knuste naturlige grønne oliven

nedlægning i saltlage af hakkede naturlige oliven under farveskift

Frugterne er sunde, uden defekter, uskrællede og omsluttet af et fint og ensartet blankt skind. De har en stor afskallet frugt, og deres største diameter er midtpå (på sorten Conserva kan den dog være længere nede). Farven på de grønne oliven varierer fra lysegrøn til gulgrøn; oliven, der er ved at skifte farve, kan være fra lysegrønne til mørkegrønne og fra kirsebærrøde til sorte. De godkendte minimumsstørrelser er:

for hele grønne oliven i saltlage: fra 280 til 320 frugter/kg

for fyldte (med peberfrugt) eller udstenede grønne oliven i saltlage: fra 340 til 360 frugter/kg

for knuste naturlige grønne oliven i saltlage: fra 240 til 260 frugter/kg

for hakkede naturlige oliven under farveskift i saltlage, krydret med oregano og/eller timian: fra 300 til 320 frugter/kg.

Når olivenfrugterne høstes, er forholdet mellem frugtkød og sten over 5, og det er let at udstene frugterne. Takket være jordbunds- og klimaforholdene, de anvendte sorters særlige kendetegn og lokalbefolkningens knowhow har »Azeitonas de Conserva de Elvas e Campo Maior« følgende kemiske egenskaber: pH på 4 eller derover; indhold af frie syrer udtrykt i mælkesyre på over 0,6 g/100 ml; 6,5 til 7,5 g natriumchlorid pr. 100 ml saltlage; samlet syreindhold på under 0,140 N; forhold mellem indhold af frie syrer og flygtig syre på over 1. Ifølge de almindelige evalueringskriterier (ydre og indre udseende, frugtkød og smag) er de organoleptiske egenskaber anerkendt som værende typiske, af højere eller god kvalitet.

4.3   Geografisk område: I betragtning af de jordbunds- og klimaforhold, der kræves for at dyrke og forarbejde olivenfrugterne, lokalbefolkningens knowhow og de traditionelle lokale metoder omfatter det geografiske område for produktion, forarbejdning og emballering kun kommunerne Elvas og Campo Maior. Emballeringen skal finde sted i dette geografiske område for at sikre, at produktet og betegnelsen kan spores og kontrolleres, og for at bevare produktets kvalitative egenskaber, idet produktet ellers let vil kunne blive blandet med oliven af anden oprindelse.

4.4   Bevis for oprindelse: Dyrkningen af oliven til konserves går langt tilbage i de pågældende kommuner. Allerede i 1900 høstede man de pågældende arter. Denne produktion har stor økonomisk betydning for regionen. »Azeitonas de Conserva de Elvas e Campo Maior« sælges i hele landet og eksporteres også til udlandet og har et fremragende ry. Produktet anvendes i mange traditionelle portugisiske opskrifter, og bestilles ved sit navn, specielt som forret ved større måltider. Olivenlundene er registreret og godkendt af sammenslutningen, efter forudgående udtalelse fra kontrolinstansen. Hele produktionsprocessen er underkastet et strengt kontrolsystem, som gør det muligt fuldt ud at spore produktet. Driften af olivenlundene, høsttidspunktet, varigheden af oliventransporten og de forskellige teknologiske processer bliver fulgt, kontrolleret og registreret. Certificeringsmærket på hver emballage er nummereret, således at produktets oprindelse ved hjælp af løbenummeret kan kontrolleres på et hvilket som helst tidspunkt i produktionsforløbet.

4.5   Fremstillingsmetode: Olivenfrugterne høstes fra forskellige oliventræer i det geografiske område, med en traditionel afstand mellem træerne (10 × 9m eller 10 × 8m) eller mere intensivt (afstand på 7 × 7m og 7 × 6m). Vandingsteknikkerne er enklere i de gamle olivenlunde (almindelig overrisling) og mere avancerede i de nye lunde (drypvanding). Al dyrkning foregår under hensyntagen til miljøet og afspejler en mangeårig knowhow. Olivenfrugterne høstes manuelt eller ved rystning, idet man søger at undgå, at frugterne beskadiges. De grønne oliven høstes, når frugterne har opnået deres maksimale størrelse og begynder at modne, men dog stadig er faste. Når frugterne snittes på tværs og trykkes let med fingrene, udstenes de let.

Til fremstilling af knuste grønne oliven anvendes grønne oliven af sorten Carrasquenha, som er godt grønne og af passende størrelse. Hvad angår oliven under farveskift, produceres de af frugter, der er høstet, før de er fuldstændigt modne, og som har rosa, brune, grønlige eller sortstribede farvenuancer.

Olivenfrugterne sorteres efter størrelse; de frugter, der ikke er perfekte eller ikke har nået en passende modningsgrad, fjernes.

Uanset hvilken forarbejdningsproces, der benyttes (traditionel eller industriel), er behandlingerne altid skånsomme, idet der f.eks. benyttes saltlager eller opløsninger af natriumhydroxid og mælkesyre, og fermenteringen kan fremkaldes ved hjælp af mælkeflora og særlige gæringsstoffer.

Olivenfrugterne kan krydres med aromatiske urter fra regionen (blade fra citron- eller appelsintræer, hvidløg, laurbærblade, oregano eller timian) eller udstenes og fyldes med rød peberfrugt.

Olivenfrugterne åbnes manuelt eller maskinelt i små portioner for at undgå, at frugtkødet eller stenen beskadiges.

Efter forarbejdningen pakkes oliven til konserves i emballager af uskadeligt, impermeabelt og inert materiale, der er tilpasset hvert enkelt produkt, og dækkes af en adækvat væske for at undgå oxidation og filmdannelse.

4.6   Tilknytning: Produktionsområdet har et mildt klima, hvor temperaturen om vinteren falder tilstrækkeligt til at fremkalde en vegetativ hvileperiode og fremme den fremtidige frugtdannelse, men dog ikke når ned på de kritiske minimumsgrænser, der kan påføre afgrøderne alvorlige skader.

I dette område er jordens dybde og frugtbarhed samt den gennemsnitlige nedbør og de moderate temperaturer medvirkende til, at frugterne opnår en god modning og optimale egenskaber med henblik på produktion af oliven af den påkrævne kvalitet.

De arter, der anvendes til produktionen af oliven til konserves, er fuldstændigt tilpasset området og frembringer frugter med lavt olieindhold og ideel saftspænding.

Den omgivende temperatur er en af de væsentlige faktorer, der muliggør en hensigtsmæssig fermentering under forarbejdningen af oliven til konserves.

I begyndelsen af sæsonen ligger middeltemperaturerne på ca. 22 °C. Ved hjælp af de gunstige naturlige forhold kan processen fremskyndes, således at der meget hurtigt opnås optimale kemiske karakteristika i fermenteringslagerne.

En anden meget vigtig faktor er, at området har de aromatiske urter, der kræves til at krydre de pågældende oliven til konserves.

Produktets organoleptiske egenskaber er således knyttet direkte til det geografiske produktionsområde, til olivenlundenes sammensætning samt jordbunds- og klimaforholdene.

Traditionen for dyrkning af disse oliven er så forankret i området, at der er utallige bibliografiske referencer hertil, visse over 100 år gamle, hvori det berettes, hvordan den lokale befolkning altid har draget den største omsorg for olivendyrkningen og forarbejdningen af disse oliven til konserves.

Olivendyrkningen og -forarbejdningens betydning har medført, at man har skabt en række landbrugs- og industriredskaber, og at der er opstået typiske klædedragter, sange og en regional gastronomi.

4.7   Kontrolinstans:

| Navn: | AGRICERT Certificação de Produtos Alimentares, L.da |
| --- | --- |
| Adresse: | R. Dr. António Pires Antunes, 4 r/c Esq. Sala C |
| PT-7350 Elvas |

Navn:

AGRICERT Certificação de Produtos Alimentares, L.da

Adresse:

R. Dr. António Pires Antunes, 4 r/c Esq. Sala C

PT-7350 Elvas

Tlf.

(351) 268 76 95 64/5

Fax

(351) 266 76 95 66

E-mail:

agricert@clix.pt

4.8   Mærkning: Obligatorisk mærkning: »Azeitonas de Conserva de Elvas e Campo Maior« — beskyttet oprindelsesbetegnelse og EF-logo. Etiketten skal ligeledes være forsynet med certificeringsmærket, hvor produktets navn, kontrolinstansens behørige påtegning og navn og løbenummeret (numerisk eller alfanumerisk kode, der muliggør sporing) skal være angivet.

4.9   Nationale krav: —

---

| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/9

---

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.4006 — Crédit Agricole/Banca Intesa/Nextra Investment Management)

Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure

(2005/C 288/05)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

| 1. | Den 9. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved Credit Agricole SA (»CA«, Frankrig) og Banca Intesa SpA (»Intesa«, Italien), gennem opkøb af aktier erhverver fælles kontrol som omhandlet i forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over Nextra Investment Management SpA (»Nextra«, Italien). |
| --- | --- |

1.

Den 9. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved Credit Agricole SA (»CA«, Frankrig) og Banca Intesa SpA (»Intesa«, Italien), gennem opkøb af aktier erhverver fælles kontrol som omhandlet i forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over Nextra Investment Management SpA (»Nextra«, Italien).

| 2. | De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:






  — | CA: bank- og finansvirksomhed |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:

—

CA: bank- og finansvirksomhed

| — | Intesa: bank- og finansvirksomhed |
| --- | --- |

—

Intesa: bank- og finansvirksomhed

| — | Nextra: kapitalforvaltning. |
| --- | --- |

—

Nextra: kapitalforvaltning.

| 3. | Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. Det bemærkes, at denne sag muligvis vil blive behandlet efter den forenklede procedure i overensstemmelse med Kommissionens meddelelse om en forenklet procedure til behandling af visse fusioner efter Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (2). |
| --- | --- |

3.

Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. Det bemærkes, at denne sag muligvis vil blive behandlet efter den forenklede procedure i overensstemmelse med Kommissionens meddelelse om en forenklet procedure til behandling af visse fusioner efter Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (2).

| 4. | Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.
  Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4006 — Crédit Agricole/Banca Intesa/Nextra Investment Management sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:





  Europa-Kommissionen |
| --- | --- |
| Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence |
| Registreringskontoret for Fusioner |
| J-70 |
| BE-1049 Bruxelles |

4.

Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.

Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4006 — Crédit Agricole/Banca Intesa/Nextra Investment Management sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:

Europa-Kommissionen

Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence

Registreringskontoret for Fusioner

J-70

BE-1049 Bruxelles

---

(1)  EUT L 24 af 29.1.2004, s. 1.

(2)  EUT C 56 af 5.3.2005, s. 32.

---

| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/10

---

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.4039 — Arrow/DNS)

Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure

(2005/C 288/06)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

| 1. | Den 16. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved Arrow Electronics, Inc., Melville, USA (»Arrow«) gennem overførsel af aktier erhverver enekontrol over DNSint.com AG, Fürstenfeldbruck, Tyskland (»DNS«). |
| --- | --- |

1.

Den 16. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved Arrow Electronics, Inc., Melville, USA (»Arrow«) gennem overførsel af aktier erhverver enekontrol over DNSint.com AG, Fürstenfeldbruck, Tyskland (»DNS«).

| 2. | De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:






  — | Arrow: engrossalg af elektroniske komponenter og it-produkter |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:

—

Arrow: engrossalg af elektroniske komponenter og it-produkter

| — | DNS: engrossalg af it-produkter. |
| --- | --- |

—

DNS: engrossalg af it-produkter.

| 3. | Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. Det bemærkes, at denne sag muligvis vil blive behandlet efter den forenklede procedure i overensstemmelse med Kommissionens meddelelse om en forenklet procedure til behandling af visse fusioner efter Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (2). |
| --- | --- |

3.

Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. Det bemærkes, at denne sag muligvis vil blive behandlet efter den forenklede procedure i overensstemmelse med Kommissionens meddelelse om en forenklet procedure til behandling af visse fusioner efter Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (2).

| 4. | Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.
  Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4039 — Arrow/DNS sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:





  Europa-Kommissionen |
| --- | --- |
| Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence |
| Registreringskontoret for Fusioner |
| J-70 |
| BE-1049 Bruxelles |

4.

Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.

Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4039 — Arrow/DNS sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:

Europa-Kommissionen

Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence

Registreringskontoret for Fusioner

J-70

BE-1049 Bruxelles

---

(1)  EUT L 24 af 29.1.2004, s. 1.

(2)  EUT C 56 af 5.3.2005, s. 32.

---

| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/11

---

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.4022 — Den belgiske stat/CVC/Post Danmark/De Post-La Poste)

Behandles eventuelt efter den forenklede procedure

(2005/C 288/07)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

| 1. | Den 14. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved den belgiske stat på den ene side og virksomheden Post Invest Europe Sàrl, der kontrolleres af CVC gruppen (»CVC«, Luxembourg) og Post Danmark A/S (»Post Danmark«, Danmark), på den anden side gennem opkøb af aktier erhverver fælles kontrol som omhandlet i forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over De Post NV-La Poste SA, der i øjeblikket kontrolleres af den belgiske stat (»De Post-La Poste«, Belgien). |
| --- | --- |

1.

Den 14. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved den belgiske stat på den ene side og virksomheden Post Invest Europe Sàrl, der kontrolleres af CVC gruppen (»CVC«, Luxembourg) og Post Danmark A/S (»Post Danmark«, Danmark), på den anden side gennem opkøb af aktier erhverver fælles kontrol som omhandlet i forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over De Post NV-La Poste SA, der i øjeblikket kontrolleres af den belgiske stat (»De Post-La Poste«, Belgien).

| 2. | De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:






  — | De Post-La Poste: universel postvirksomhed i Belgien |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:

—

De Post-La Poste: universel postvirksomhed i Belgien

| — | CVC: private-equity selskab |
| --- | --- |

—

CVC: private-equity selskab

| — | Post Danmark: universel postvirksomhed i Danmark. |
| --- | --- |

—

Post Danmark: universel postvirksomhed i Danmark.

| 3. | Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. Det bemærkes, at denne sag muligvis vil blive behandlet efter den forenklede procedure i overensstemmelse med Kommissionens meddelelse om en forenklet procedure til behandling af visse fusioner efter Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (2). |
| --- | --- |

3.

Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. Det bemærkes, at denne sag muligvis vil blive behandlet efter den forenklede procedure i overensstemmelse med Kommissionens meddelelse om en forenklet procedure til behandling af visse fusioner efter Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (2).

| 4. | Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.
  Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4022 — Den belgiske stat/CVC/Post Danmark/De Post-La Poste sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:





  Europa-Kommissionen |
| --- | --- |
| Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence |
| Registreringskontoret for Fusioner |
| J-70 |
| BE-1049 Bruxelles |

4.

Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.

Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4022 — Den belgiske stat/CVC/Post Danmark/De Post-La Poste sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:

Europa-Kommissionen

Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence

Registreringskontoret for Fusioner

J-70

BE-1049 Bruxelles

---

(1)  EUT L 24 af 29.1.2004, s. 1.

(2)  EUT C 56 af 5.3.2005, s. 32.

---

| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/12

---

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.4003 — Ericsson/Marconi)

(2005/C 288/08)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

| 1. | Den 15. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved virksomheden Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (»Ericsson«, Sverige) gennem opkøb af aktiver erhverver kontrol som omhandlet i forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over dele af virksomheden Marconi Corporation plc (»Marconi«, Det Forenede Kongerige). |
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1.

Den 15. november 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved virksomheden Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (»Ericsson«, Sverige) gennem opkøb af aktiver erhverver kontrol som omhandlet i forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over dele af virksomheden Marconi Corporation plc (»Marconi«, Det Forenede Kongerige).

| 2. | De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:






  — | Ericsson: leverer telekommunikationsudstyr og tilknyttede tjenester til mobil- og fastnetsoperatører globalt |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:

—

Ericsson: leverer telekommunikationsudstyr og tilknyttede tjenester til mobil- og fastnetsoperatører globalt

| — | Marconi: leverer udstyr og tjenester til udbydere af telekommunikationstjenester og andre operatører af telekommunikationsnetværk. |
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—

Marconi: leverer udstyr og tjenester til udbydere af telekommunikationstjenester og andre operatører af telekommunikationsnetværk.

| 3. | Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. |
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3.

Efter en foreløbig gennemgang af sagen finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil.

| 4. | Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.
  Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4003 — Ericsson/Marconi sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:





  Europa-Kommissionen |
| --- | --- |
| Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence |
| Registreringskontoret for Fusioner |
| J-70 |
| BE-1049 Bruxelles |

4.

Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.

Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse og kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.4003 — Ericsson/Marconi sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:

Europa-Kommissionen

Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence

Registreringskontoret for Fusioner

J-70

BE-1049 Bruxelles

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(1)  EUT L 24 af 29.1.2004, s. 1.

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| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/13 |
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19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/13

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STATSSTØTTE — DET FORENEDE KONGERIGE

Statsstøtte nr. C 36/2005 (ex N 373/2005 og CP 255/2005) — Det Forenede Kongerige Investbx

Opfordring til at fremsætte bemærkninger i henhold EF-traktatens artikel 88, stk. 2

(2005/C 288/09)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

Ved brev af 20. oktober 2005, der er gengivet på det autentiske sprog efter dette resumé, meddelte Kommissionen Det Forenede Kongerige, at den havde besluttet at indlede proceduren efter EF-traktatens artikel 88, stk. 2, over for ovennævnte støtte.

Interesserede parter kan senest en måned efter offentliggørelsen af dette resumé og det efterfølgende brev sende deres bemærkninger til den støtteforanstaltning, over for hvilken Kommissionen indleder proceduren, til:

| Europa-Kommissionen |
| --- |
| Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence |
| Registreringskontoret for Statsstøtte |
| BE-1049 Bruxelles |
| fax (32-2) 296 12 42 |

Europa-Kommissionen

Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence

Registreringskontoret for Statsstøtte

BE-1049 Bruxelles

fax (32-2) 296 12 42

Disse bemærkninger vil blive videresendt til Det Forenede Kongerige. Interesserede parter, der fremsætter bemærkninger til sagen, kan skriftligt anmode om at få deres navne hemmeligholdt. Anmodningen skal være begrundet.

RESUMÉ

SAGSFORLØB

Ved brev af 26. juli 2005, der registreredes i Kommissionen 28. juli 2005, anmeldte Det Forenede Kongerige ovennævnte støtteforanstaltning i medfør af EF-traktatens artikel 88, stk. 3.

Kommissionen anmodede om yderligere oplysninger den 19. august 2005 hvorefter der afholdtes et møde med repræsentanter for UK og Kommissionen den 8. september 2005. På mødet fremlagde de britiske repræsentanter supplerende oplysninger.

Den 26. september 2005 modtog Kommissionen en klage fra virksomheden PLUS Markets Group plc, der er holdingselskab for Ofex plc, som driver og regulerer det London-baserede Ofex-marked.

BESKRIVELSE

Hovedformålet med det anmeldte projekt er at give SMV i West Midlands-regionen mulighed for at rejse kapital til dækning af manglende egenkapital. Investbx oprettes og skal fungere som det formidlingsorgan, der bringer SMV og investorer sammen for at gøre det lettere for SMV at rejse kapital på mellem 0,5 til 2 mio. GBP via en praktisk form for udveksling og/eller udstedelse af nye aktier ad elektronisk vej (»eBay approach«).

AWM — Advantage West Midlands, der er den regionale udviklingsmyndighed, stiller midlerne på 3,8 mio. GBP til rådighed i en 5-årsperiode. Disse midler skal udelukkende anvendes til at etablere og drive Investbx. Ingen af midlerne overføres til SMV eller investorer. Efter femårsperioden sælger AWM enten sine aktier i Investbx eller nedlukker selskabet.

Ifølge de britiske myndigheder skal foranstaltningen afhjælpe et markedssvigt, der især er forårsaget af ufuldstændige informationer på både efterspørgsels- og udbudssiden. SMV har normalt problemer med at finde tilstrækkelig finansiering på kapitalmarkedet. Investorerne har problemer med at få hensigtsmæssige og pålidelige oplysninger om potentielle virksomheder, der kan investeres i. UK hævder, at Investbx er en fuldstændig nyskabelse, som opfylder et behov, der i øjeblikket ikke udbydes på markedet.

Ifølge de argumenter, der fremføres af klageren, opererer Ofex, som beskrives som et uafhængigt marked i UK med fokus på handel med SMV-aktier, allerede på samme markedsplads som den, Investbx skal operere på, hvor det forsøger at udvikle sig. Det anføres endvidere, at Ofex, i modsætning til Investbx, var nødsaget til at rejse tilsvarende kapital inden for den private sektor på denne sektors betingelser, hvorimod Investbx fritages for udgifterne til en sådan finansiering. Det hævdes, at statslig finansiering af Investbx kan resultere i unfair konkurrence over for Ofex som følge af støtten og vil skade Ofex's kommercielle interesser.

INDLEDENDE VURDERING

Kommissionen betragter foranstaltningen som statsstøtte til Investbx i den i EF-traktatens artikel 87, stk. 1, anførte betydning, men ved første øjekast ser det ikke ud til, at hverken investorerne eller de SMV, der benytter Investbx, er støttemodtagerne.

I forbindelse med en formel undersøgelsesprocedure ønsker Kommissionen imidlertid at undersøge nærmere, om der er tale om statsstøtte på investorplan og til de virksomheder, der investeres i.

Selv om formålet med foranstaltningen er at dække SMV's finansieringsbehov, er der ikke forudset regler for en sådan type foranstaltning i meddelelsen om risikovillig kapital (1). Da det ikke ser ud til, at nogle af de andre forordninger, rammebestemmelser eller retningslinjer på statsstøtteområdet finder anvendelse, kan vurderingen baseres direkte på EF-traktatens artikel 87, stk. 3, litra c).

På dette stadium betvivler Kommissionen, at foranstaltningen er forenelig med EF-traktatens artikel 87, stk. 3, litra c), navnlig i betragtning af bemærkningerne fra tredjeparten.

Kommissionen ønsker at foretage en nærmere undersøgelse af foreneligheden med EF-traktatens artikel 87, stk. 3, litra c), og navnlig fastslå, om der foreligger en situation med et klart markedssvigt, om det pågældende støtteinstrument er rettet mod det identificerede markedssvigt og hvorvidt konkurrencefordrejningen og påvirkningen af samhandelen er af så begrænset omfang, at den i sidste instans ikke strider mod den fælles interesse.

BREVETS ORDLYD

‘The Commission wishes to inform the United Kingdom that, having examined the information supplied by your authorities and by a complainant on the ad hoc aid referred to above, it has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) EC.

1.   PROCEDURE

| (1) | By letter dated 26 July 2005, registered at the Commission on 28 July 2005, the UK notified the aid measure mentioned above, pursuant to Article 88(3) EC. |
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(1)

By letter dated 26 July 2005, registered at the Commission on 28 July 2005, the UK notified the aid measure mentioned above, pursuant to Article 88(3) EC.

| (2) | The Commission asked for further information on 19 August 2005, following to which a meeting between representatives of the UK and the Commission was held on 8 September 2005. During this meeting, additional information was provided by the UK representatives. |
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(2)

The Commission asked for further information on 19 August 2005, following to which a meeting between representatives of the UK and the Commission was held on 8 September 2005. During this meeting, additional information was provided by the UK representatives.

| (3) | On 26 September 2005, the Commission received a complaint from the enterprise PLUS Markets Group plc. |
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(3)

On 26 September 2005, the Commission received a complaint from the enterprise PLUS Markets Group plc.

2.   DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE

2.1.   Primary objective of Investbx

| (4) | The primary objective of the measure is to create a means for small and medium-sized enterprises (2) (hereafter: SMEs) in the West Midlands region of the UK to raise equity gap finance. Investbx is being set up to act as a catalyst in bridging the equity finance gap. It will bring together SMEs and investors to make it easier for companies to raise money by creating a practical forum for exchanging and/or issuing new shares. Investbx will also provide and facilitate the provision of services at market rates to SMEs to enhance their ability to raise funds. |
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(4)

The primary objective of the measure is to create a means for small and medium-sized enterprises (2) (hereafter: SMEs) in the West Midlands region of the UK to raise equity gap finance. Investbx is being set up to act as a catalyst in bridging the equity finance gap. It will bring together SMEs and investors to make it easier for companies to raise money by creating a practical forum for exchanging and/or issuing new shares. Investbx will also provide and facilitate the provision of services at market rates to SMEs to enhance their ability to raise funds.

2.2.   Innovative and novel measure

| (5) | Pursuant to the UK authorities, Investbx is a completely novel measure, for which there is no precedent. While traditional Venture Capital Funds aim at improving the supply of equity capital, Investbx envisages instead to improve the efficiency with which information can circulate on investee companies. Investbx will kick-start the creation of an effective local equity market, by connecting companies to investors, offering them a viable, simple, cost effective solution to raising equity, trading their shares and showcasing their activities. This trading facility will be different to traditional stock markets (namely the London Stock Exchange with its “Alternative Investment Market” — AIM) because it will operate through a visible online electronic auction market, matching buyers and sellers at a single price with investment via an online execution-only broker. Online auctions will only be carried out a few times per month. At the same time Investbx will encourage a longer term view of investing, emphasising the main objective of raising money for SMEs in the community rather than the ability to frequently trade shares as provided by the existing London based markets. |
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(5)

Pursuant to the UK authorities, Investbx is a completely novel measure, for which there is no precedent. While traditional Venture Capital Funds aim at improving the supply of equity capital, Investbx envisages instead to improve the efficiency with which information can circulate on investee companies. Investbx will kick-start the creation of an effective local equity market, by connecting companies to investors, offering them a viable, simple, cost effective solution to raising equity, trading their shares and showcasing their activities. This trading facility will be different to traditional stock markets (namely the London Stock Exchange with its “Alternative Investment Market” — AIM) because it will operate through a visible online electronic auction market, matching buyers and sellers at a single price with investment via an online execution-only broker. Online auctions will only be carried out a few times per month. At the same time Investbx will encourage a longer term view of investing, emphasising the main objective of raising money for SMEs in the community rather than the ability to frequently trade shares as provided by the existing London based markets.

2.3.   Budget and duration

| (6) | The West Midlands Regional Development Agency AWM (Advantage West Midlands) will provide the funding of GBP 3,8 million for a period of five years. After this period, AWM will either sell its shares of Investbx on the market or close it down. |
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(6)

The West Midlands Regional Development Agency AWM (Advantage West Midlands) will provide the funding of GBP 3,8 million for a period of five years. After this period, AWM will either sell its shares of Investbx on the market or close it down.

2.4.   Beneficiary of the measure

| (7) | The beneficiary of the measure is Investbx. Investbx will receive GBP 3,8 million by way of grant of AWM. The grant will cover pre-launch development and a five-year period of operation. As a not-for-profit enterprise, any surpluses from Investbx will be reinvested back into Investbx to benefit the regional economy, all of which correspond to AWM's mission. |
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(7)

The beneficiary of the measure is Investbx. Investbx will receive GBP 3,8 million by way of grant of AWM. The grant will cover pre-launch development and a five-year period of operation. As a not-for-profit enterprise, any surpluses from Investbx will be reinvested back into Investbx to benefit the regional economy, all of which correspond to AWM's mission.

| (8) | Investbx will not grant funds to any other company. Its role is purely that of a catalyst for local SMEs to raise equity gap finance. Companies and investors making use of Investbx will pay market rates for services received. All service providers to Investbx have been selected by competitive tender procurement process published in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
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(8)

Investbx will not grant funds to any other company. Its role is purely that of a catalyst for local SMEs to raise equity gap finance. Companies and investors making use of Investbx will pay market rates for services received. All service providers to Investbx have been selected by competitive tender procurement process published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

2.5.   Benefits flowing from Investbx

| (9) | SMEs: Access to Investbx will be open to all SMEs located in the West Midlands Region on a non-discriminatory basis. Investbx will provide a showcase for these local SMEs. |
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(9)

SMEs: Access to Investbx will be open to all SMEs located in the West Midlands Region on a non-discriminatory basis. Investbx will provide a showcase for these local SMEs.

| (10) | The measure intends to overcome the acknowledged equity gap of between GBP 0,5 million and GBP 2,0 million and solely addresses SMEs located in the West Midlands region looking for long-term equity funding. They have a solid performance, but are often considered being not profitable as aimed at by Venture Capital funds. In these circumstances, Investbx may also offer another exit possibility for VC funds until they qualify for more senior trading markets like LSE, AIM or the off-market trading facility Ofex (escalator function). |
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(10)

The measure intends to overcome the acknowledged equity gap of between GBP 0,5 million and GBP 2,0 million and solely addresses SMEs located in the West Midlands region looking for long-term equity funding. They have a solid performance, but are often considered being not profitable as aimed at by Venture Capital funds. In these circumstances, Investbx may also offer another exit possibility for VC funds until they qualify for more senior trading markets like LSE, AIM or the off-market trading facility Ofex (escalator function).

| (11) | Investors: Investors will receive improved access to information about companies including independent research reports and news which will be made available through the website to inform investors' investment decisions. Investbx will enable investors to interact directly and indirectly with companies. In order to provide protection for investors, companies joining Investbx must meet a set of regulatory and disclosure requirements. |
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(11)

Investors: Investors will receive improved access to information about companies including independent research reports and news which will be made available through the website to inform investors' investment decisions. Investbx will enable investors to interact directly and indirectly with companies. In order to provide protection for investors, companies joining Investbx must meet a set of regulatory and disclosure requirements.

2.6.   Corporate structure of Investbx

| (12) | There are two distinct roles for Investbx: one to act as a forum for inclusive discussion and debate around the whole issue of SMEs across the region raising equity investment and the other, the trading activities that will see it contracting with a number of service providers and with customers (investors and SMEs). |
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(12)

There are two distinct roles for Investbx: one to act as a forum for inclusive discussion and debate around the whole issue of SMEs across the region raising equity investment and the other, the trading activities that will see it contracting with a number of service providers and with customers (investors and SMEs).

| (13) | The corporate structure of Investbx responds to these distinct roles as follows: Investbx will comprise two limited companies: (i) Investbx 1, a not for profit distribution membership company, limited by guarantee with all profits being reinvested and not distributed; and (ii) Investbx 2, a company limited by shares, which will be wholly owned by Investbx 1. |
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(13)

The corporate structure of Investbx responds to these distinct roles as follows: Investbx will comprise two limited companies: (i) Investbx 1, a not for profit distribution membership company, limited by guarantee with all profits being reinvested and not distributed; and (ii) Investbx 2, a company limited by shares, which will be wholly owned by Investbx 1.

| (14) | The company status allows Investbx 2 to enter into contracts in its own right. However, the main reason behind this structure is the facilitation of a possible transfer of the company in the future. If Investbx is successful, it will become a private sector company (Investbx 1 will sell Investbx 2). At this time any outstanding funds from the original grant form AWM will revert to AWM. |
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(14)

The company status allows Investbx 2 to enter into contracts in its own right. However, the main reason behind this structure is the facilitation of a possible transfer of the company in the future. If Investbx is successful, it will become a private sector company (Investbx 1 will sell Investbx 2). At this time any outstanding funds from the original grant form AWM will revert to AWM.

Image

| (15) | The classes of members owning Invstbx 1 proposed are: individual investors, corporate investors, investee companies, intermediaries, AWM and general. Membership liability will be limited to GBP 10 per member. Members will be required to pay a modest annual fee, dependant upon the class of member, which has yet to be determined. The level of this fee will be set such that it is not considered to be a deterrent to becoming a member. |
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(15)

The classes of members owning Invstbx 1 proposed are: individual investors, corporate investors, investee companies, intermediaries, AWM and general. Membership liability will be limited to GBP 10 per member. Members will be required to pay a modest annual fee, dependant upon the class of member, which has yet to be determined. The level of this fee will be set such that it is not considered to be a deterrent to becoming a member.

| (16) | AWM will retain a strong influence on the board. The ultimate power of the guarantee company is the ability, as sole shareholder of the subsidiary company, to control the Board of the subsidiary company and ensure that it complies with policies set out by the Board of the guarantee company. In addition, the Board of the guarantee company will have power over appointments to the subsidiary Board. |
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(16)

AWM will retain a strong influence on the board. The ultimate power of the guarantee company is the ability, as sole shareholder of the subsidiary company, to control the Board of the subsidiary company and ensure that it complies with policies set out by the Board of the guarantee company. In addition, the Board of the guarantee company will have power over appointments to the subsidiary Board.

| (17) | The Board of Investbx 1 will be the decision making authority and there will be six directors. The first four categories will have the right to elect a Board member as their representative. AWM will have the right to appoint two directors, with one of these being the Board's chair. Any Board committees to which the Board delegates power must include at least one director appointed by AWM. The general members class would not have the right to elect a Director, although its interests would be represented at Board meetings by a special representative. |
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(17)

The Board of Investbx 1 will be the decision making authority and there will be six directors. The first four categories will have the right to elect a Board member as their representative. AWM will have the right to appoint two directors, with one of these being the Board's chair. Any Board committees to which the Board delegates power must include at least one director appointed by AWM. The general members class would not have the right to elect a Director, although its interests would be represented at Board meetings by a special representative.

| (18) | Investbx 1 will act as corporate director of Investbx 2, delegating delivery of the business plan to Investbx 2. The board of the guarantee company will give operating guidelines for the board of the subsidiary company. |
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(18)

Investbx 1 will act as corporate director of Investbx 2, delegating delivery of the business plan to Investbx 2. The board of the guarantee company will give operating guidelines for the board of the subsidiary company.

| (19) | The AWM appointed Chair of Investbx 1 will also be the Chair of Investbx 2 and at least one other director of the guarantee company will also be on the board of Investbx 2. The Chair will have the right to exercise all guarantee company powers as sole shareholder of the operating company, including the right to appoint directors. |
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(19)

The AWM appointed Chair of Investbx 1 will also be the Chair of Investbx 2 and at least one other director of the guarantee company will also be on the board of Investbx 2. The Chair will have the right to exercise all guarantee company powers as sole shareholder of the operating company, including the right to appoint directors.

| (20) | The board of Investbx 1 will have responsibility for appointment and appraisal of the Investbx 2 executive team in addition to the right to remove members of this team whose activities divert from or fail to deliver the agreed business plan. |
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(20)

The board of Investbx 1 will have responsibility for appointment and appraisal of the Investbx 2 executive team in addition to the right to remove members of this team whose activities divert from or fail to deliver the agreed business plan.

| (21) | Investbx 2 will have a small executive team responsible for delivery of the business plan. Key to delivery will be establishing an outsourcing relationship with a third party organisation that has already invested in the infrastructure and permission necessary to operate Investbx. Procurement of services using this “white label” arrangement has already taken place with a publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Share Centre was selected as preferred bidder, who has already the appropriate FSA permissions to conduct business of this nature. |
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(21)

Investbx 2 will have a small executive team responsible for delivery of the business plan. Key to delivery will be establishing an outsourcing relationship with a third party organisation that has already invested in the infrastructure and permission necessary to operate Investbx. Procurement of services using this “white label” arrangement has already taken place with a publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Share Centre was selected as preferred bidder, who has already the appropriate FSA permissions to conduct business of this nature.

2.7.   The current market in the United Kingdom

| (22) | The traditional market for buying and selling shares in the UK is dominated by the London Stock Exchange (LSE), which is primarily engaged in hosting large stock trades in a global marketplace. SMEs are increasingly shut out as blue-chip stocks of larger companies are preferred. |
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(22)

The traditional market for buying and selling shares in the UK is dominated by the London Stock Exchange (LSE), which is primarily engaged in hosting large stock trades in a global marketplace. SMEs are increasingly shut out as blue-chip stocks of larger companies are preferred.

| (23) | The LSE sought to cater for this situation by the introduction of its “Alternative Investment Market” (AIM) in 1995. This operates as a second tier market targeting new and smaller companies. Membership requires no minimum trading record, no minimum assets or profit levels, no minimum capitalisation and no minimum free float of shares. |
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(23)

The LSE sought to cater for this situation by the introduction of its “Alternative Investment Market” (AIM) in 1995. This operates as a second tier market targeting new and smaller companies. Membership requires no minimum trading record, no minimum assets or profit levels, no minimum capitalisation and no minimum free float of shares.

| (24) | Outside the realms of the LSE and AIM is the off-market trading facility Ofex. It has been stated in the notification that Ofex is neither regulated nor a market, but aims to provide a more cost effective and less regulated alternative to AIM. |
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(24)

Outside the realms of the LSE and AIM is the off-market trading facility Ofex. It has been stated in the notification that Ofex is neither regulated nor a market, but aims to provide a more cost effective and less regulated alternative to AIM.

| (25) | Despite the above developments, the UK claims that there is still a long-term equity gap for investment in SMEs located outside the South-East. Some of the lowest levels of listed companies and total market capitalisation exist in the Midlands. |
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(25)

Despite the above developments, the UK claims that there is still a long-term equity gap for investment in SMEs located outside the South-East. Some of the lowest levels of listed companies and total market capitalisation exist in the Midlands.

3.   COMMENTS PRESENTED BY THIRD PARTIES

| (26) | By letter dated 26 September 2005, the company PLUS Markets Group plc commented as an interested party pursuant to Article 20(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (3) on the project under scrutiny. PLUS Markets Group plc (formerly Ofex Holdings plc) is the holding company for Ofex plc, which operates and regulates the Ofex market, which is described as being an independent market in the UK focussed on trading in shares of SMEs from around the world and representing a wide range of sectors and all stages of development. |
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(26)

By letter dated 26 September 2005, the company PLUS Markets Group plc commented as an interested party pursuant to Article 20(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (3) on the project under scrutiny. PLUS Markets Group plc (formerly Ofex Holdings plc) is the holding company for Ofex plc, which operates and regulates the Ofex market, which is described as being an independent market in the UK focussed on trading in shares of SMEs from around the world and representing a wide range of sectors and all stages of development.

| (27) | Ofex was created in October 1995 as a trading facility for unquoted and unlisted securities. In 2002, Ofex became a prescribed market under Section 118 of the Financial Services & Markets Act 2000, authorized and regulated by the UK's Financial Services Authority, and Ofex plc took over the operation of the market. |
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(27)

Ofex was created in October 1995 as a trading facility for unquoted and unlisted securities. In 2002, Ofex became a prescribed market under Section 118 of the Financial Services & Markets Act 2000, authorized and regulated by the UK's Financial Services Authority, and Ofex plc took over the operation of the market.

| (28) | Ofex Holdings plc changed its name to PLUS Markets Group plc in 2004 following a process of refinancing and restructuring, which raised net funds from the private sector. In 2005, further funds were raised from institutional and other investors. |
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(28)

Ofex Holdings plc changed its name to PLUS Markets Group plc in 2004 following a process of refinancing and restructuring, which raised net funds from the private sector. In 2005, further funds were raised from institutional and other investors.

| (29) | Pursuant to the third party comments, Ofex has served over 500 companies, and has not only provided a market for these companies' shares but also an opportunity to raise equity-based finance since its launch in 1995. Allegedly, the overwhelming majority of fund raisings were of amounts considerably less than GBP 1,5 million, with actually 33 companies raising less than GBP 1 million, principally form non-institutional investors. It is claimed that there are currently 137 companies traded on Ofex of which approximately 10 % are based in the Midlands region of the UK. It is further claimed that there are also 57 Midlands-based companies traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. |
| --- | --- |

(29)

Pursuant to the third party comments, Ofex has served over 500 companies, and has not only provided a market for these companies' shares but also an opportunity to raise equity-based finance since its launch in 1995. Allegedly, the overwhelming majority of fund raisings were of amounts considerably less than GBP 1,5 million, with actually 33 companies raising less than GBP 1 million, principally form non-institutional investors. It is claimed that there are currently 137 companies traded on Ofex of which approximately 10 % are based in the Midlands region of the UK. It is further claimed that there are also 57 Midlands-based companies traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

| (30) | It is claimed that Ofex is already operating, and seeking to grow, in the same marketplace as the one in which Investbx will operate. It is further stated that, contrary to Investbx, Ofex had to obtain equivalent finance from the private sector on private sector terms whereas Investbx will be relieved of the costs of such funding. Allegedly, the public funding of Investbx may lead to an unfair competition with Ofex as a result of the aid and will damage the commercial interest of Ofex. |
| --- | --- |

(30)

It is claimed that Ofex is already operating, and seeking to grow, in the same marketplace as the one in which Investbx will operate. It is further stated that, contrary to Investbx, Ofex had to obtain equivalent finance from the private sector on private sector terms whereas Investbx will be relieved of the costs of such funding. Allegedly, the public funding of Investbx may lead to an unfair competition with Ofex as a result of the aid and will damage the commercial interest of Ofex.

4.   PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE MEASURE

| (31) | According to Article 6 of the Procedural Regulation (4), the decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure shall summarise the relevant issues of fact and law, shall include a preliminary assessment of the Commission as to the aid character of the proposed measure, and shall set out the doubts as to its compatibility with the common market. |
| --- | --- |

(31)

According to Article 6 of the Procedural Regulation (4), the decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure shall summarise the relevant issues of fact and law, shall include a preliminary assessment of the Commission as to the aid character of the proposed measure, and shall set out the doubts as to its compatibility with the common market.

4.1.   Presence of State aid pursuant to Article 87(1) EC

| (32) | In accordance with Article 87(1) EC, any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the common market. |
| --- | --- |

(32)

In accordance with Article 87(1) EC, any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the common market.

| (33) | The assessment of the presence of State aid must consider the possibility that the measure may confer aid on at least three different levels:






  — | aid to Investbx, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(33)

The assessment of the presence of State aid must consider the possibility that the measure may confer aid on at least three different levels:

—

aid to Investbx,

| — | aid to investors, |
| --- | --- |

—

aid to investors,

| — | aid to the SMEs invested in. |
| --- | --- |

—

aid to the SMEs invested in.

4.1.1.   Aid to Investbx

| (34) | The activities of Investbx will be financed through State resources from AWM. |
| --- | --- |

(34)

The activities of Investbx will be financed through State resources from AWM.

| (35) | Investbx will be a new actor in the financial markets business and has to be considered as an undertaking, performing an economic activity by providing financial services to investors and SMEs located in the West Midlands region. It would not have been able to raise the capital to be used for its activities under the same favourable terms under normal market conditions. This is why the Commission considers that the grant provided by AWM to Investbx does not correspond to the behaviour of a private market investor. The funding provided by AWM to Investbx is either a grant or an interest-free loan, i.e. a funding free of charge. Investbx thus receives funding that it would otherwise not be able to seek from private sector sources at market rates. Accordingly, the undertaking Investbx receives an advantage. |
| --- | --- |

(35)

Investbx will be a new actor in the financial markets business and has to be considered as an undertaking, performing an economic activity by providing financial services to investors and SMEs located in the West Midlands region. It would not have been able to raise the capital to be used for its activities under the same favourable terms under normal market conditions. This is why the Commission considers that the grant provided by AWM to Investbx does not correspond to the behaviour of a private market investor. The funding provided by AWM to Investbx is either a grant or an interest-free loan, i.e. a funding free of charge. Investbx thus receives funding that it would otherwise not be able to seek from private sector sources at market rates. Accordingly, the undertaking Investbx receives an advantage.

| (36) | As effects on existing financial services providers such as Ofex cannot be completely excluded, the measure has the potential to distort competition and affect intra-Community trade. |
| --- | --- |

(36)

As effects on existing financial services providers such as Ofex cannot be completely excluded, the measure has the potential to distort competition and affect intra-Community trade.

| (37) | Therefore, Investbx is considered to be a beneficiary of aid pursuant to Article 87(1) EC. |
| --- | --- |

(37)

Therefore, Investbx is considered to be a beneficiary of aid pursuant to Article 87(1) EC.

4.1.2.   Aid to Investors and/or to the SMEs invested in

| (38) | Neither the investors nor the SMEs using Investbx's services prima facie seem to be aid beneficiaries as no State resources will be transferred to them and as Investbx's services are open to all investors. |
| --- | --- |

(38)

Neither the investors nor the SMEs using Investbx's services prima facie seem to be aid beneficiaries as no State resources will be transferred to them and as Investbx's services are open to all investors.

| (39) | However, the Commission will have to further scrutinise whether the measure involves a transfer of aid to investors and or SMEs invested in and particularly needs to have more information on the identity of both investors and SMEs invested in (number; age; size; investment phase etc.) and the remuneration they will pay to Investbx. In addition, the question whether Investbx 1's investors benefit from Investbx 2's envisaged sale also merits further examination. |
| --- | --- |

(39)

However, the Commission will have to further scrutinise whether the measure involves a transfer of aid to investors and or SMEs invested in and particularly needs to have more information on the identity of both investors and SMEs invested in (number; age; size; investment phase etc.) and the remuneration they will pay to Investbx. In addition, the question whether Investbx 1's investors benefit from Investbx 2's envisaged sale also merits further examination.

4.2.   Legality of the aid

| (40) | The UK respected its obligations pursuant to Article 88(3) EC. |
| --- | --- |

(40)

The UK respected its obligations pursuant to Article 88(3) EC.

4.3.   Compatibility of the aid

| (41) | Although the measure aims at bridging the equity gap for SMEs, the risk capital communication (5) does not foresee rules for such kind of measure. Even if the risk capital communication allows grants for setting up a venture capital fund, it has to be noted that Investbx cannot be regarded as such a fund and does not provide any venture capital to SMEs. The measure at stake solely aims at setting up the infrastructure for an exchange facility for investors and SMEs and therefore falls outside the risk capital communication. Also none of the other existing State aid regulations, frameworks or guidelines seem to be applicable. It is true that the West Midlands do qualify for the derogation in Article 87(3)(c) EC (6), and the Commission also notes that this region has suffered from the Rover crisis. But the grant to Investbx is not an application of an aid scheme for regional development. It is rather an ad hoc aid, which does not seem to be limited to initial investment in the meaning of the regional aid guidelines (7). |
| --- | --- |

(41)

Although the measure aims at bridging the equity gap for SMEs, the risk capital communication (5) does not foresee rules for such kind of measure. Even if the risk capital communication allows grants for setting up a venture capital fund, it has to be noted that Investbx cannot be regarded as such a fund and does not provide any venture capital to SMEs. The measure at stake solely aims at setting up the infrastructure for an exchange facility for investors and SMEs and therefore falls outside the risk capital communication. Also none of the other existing State aid regulations, frameworks or guidelines seem to be applicable. It is true that the West Midlands do qualify for the derogation in Article 87(3)(c) EC (6), and the Commission also notes that this region has suffered from the Rover crisis. But the grant to Investbx is not an application of an aid scheme for regional development. It is rather an ad hoc aid, which does not seem to be limited to initial investment in the meaning of the regional aid guidelines (7).

| (42) | However, an assessment of this ad hoc aid could be based directly on Article 87(3)(c) EC. Accordingly, a well-defined market failure has to exist, the aid instrument has to target the identified market failure and distortions of competition and the effect on trade should be limited to ensure that the aid measure is not, on balance, against the common interest. |
| --- | --- |

(42)

However, an assessment of this ad hoc aid could be based directly on Article 87(3)(c) EC. Accordingly, a well-defined market failure has to exist, the aid instrument has to target the identified market failure and distortions of competition and the effect on trade should be limited to ensure that the aid measure is not, on balance, against the common interest.

4.3.1.   Presence of a well-defined market failure

| (43) | The measure intends to address an alleged market failure particularly caused by imperfect information on both the demand and the supply side. SMEs usually face problems in finding adequate funding on the financial market. Investors have difficulties to gain appropriate and reliable information about potential investees. |
| --- | --- |

(43)

The measure intends to address an alleged market failure particularly caused by imperfect information on both the demand and the supply side. SMEs usually face problems in finding adequate funding on the financial market. Investors have difficulties to gain appropriate and reliable information about potential investees.

| (44) | The proposed aid addresses the market failure described by offering an electronic platform enabling the SMEs to present themselves and the investors to inform themselves. The match-making of investors and SMEs will be achieved through the electronic auctioning. |
| --- | --- |

(44)

The proposed aid addresses the market failure described by offering an electronic platform enabling the SMEs to present themselves and the investors to inform themselves. The match-making of investors and SMEs will be achieved through the electronic auctioning.

| (45) | Investbx targets equity funding in the area of GBP 0,5 million to GBP 2 million, a deal size range for which an equity gap was established in several studies put forward by the UK in the context of the ECF — Enterprise Capital Funds which was approved by the Commission on 3 May 2005 (8). The question is whether this assessment of an equity gap in the UK and particularly in the West Midlands region is still valid. |
| --- | --- |

(45)

Investbx targets equity funding in the area of GBP 0,5 million to GBP 2 million, a deal size range for which an equity gap was established in several studies put forward by the UK in the context of the ECF — Enterprise Capital Funds which was approved by the Commission on 3 May 2005 (8). The question is whether this assessment of an equity gap in the UK and particularly in the West Midlands region is still valid.

| (46) | Accordingly, the Commission wishes to further verify whether the arguments presented can justify the presence of a well-defined market failure, particularly in view of the above and any further third party comments. |
| --- | --- |

(46)

Accordingly, the Commission wishes to further verify whether the arguments presented can justify the presence of a well-defined market failure, particularly in view of the above and any further third party comments.

4.3.2.   The aid instrument has to target the identified market failure

| (47) | The measure intends to change the behaviour of both investors and SMEs by increasing their information on their potential matches. In this context it is noted positively that the measure is limited to five years. AWM will either sell its shares of Investbx after this period or close it down. |
| --- | --- |

(47)

The measure intends to change the behaviour of both investors and SMEs by increasing their information on their potential matches. In this context it is noted positively that the measure is limited to five years. AWM will either sell its shares of Investbx after this period or close it down.

| (48) | Compared to usual risk capital schemes, the amount of public funding used is rather limited. Regional risk capital schemes covering regions similar in size as the West Midlands normally involve far higher amounts of aid than foreseen for this measure (9). |
| --- | --- |

(48)

Compared to usual risk capital schemes, the amount of public funding used is rather limited. Regional risk capital schemes covering regions similar in size as the West Midlands normally involve far higher amounts of aid than foreseen for this measure (9).

| (49) | However, the Commission wishes to further assess any incentive effect of the aid instrument. Also the relation between the notified measure and the ECF merits further examination. |
| --- | --- |

(49)

However, the Commission wishes to further assess any incentive effect of the aid instrument. Also the relation between the notified measure and the ECF merits further examination.

4.3.3.   Distortions of competition and the effect on trade should be limited to ensure that the aid measure is not, on balance, against the common interest

| (50) | As to the balancing of distortion of competition and effects on trade, the existing London based markets, namely the London Stock Exchange (LSE), its Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and the off-trading facility Ofex, may be the potential competitors of Investbx. Another source of perceived competition could be from traditional sources of finance such as bank debt, friends and family, business angels or venture capital funds. |
| --- | --- |

(50)

As to the balancing of distortion of competition and effects on trade, the existing London based markets, namely the London Stock Exchange (LSE), its Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and the off-trading facility Ofex, may be the potential competitors of Investbx. Another source of perceived competition could be from traditional sources of finance such as bank debt, friends and family, business angels or venture capital funds.

| (51) | However, LSE, AIM and Ofex use classical market making mechanisms using bid and offer price, the primary focus being institutional investors, with retail investors having no access to new issued shares. These traditional exchanges generate revenues primarily from companies joining the market and subsequently paying an annual fee in order to stay on the exchange. |
| --- | --- |

(51)

However, LSE, AIM and Ofex use classical market making mechanisms using bid and offer price, the primary focus being institutional investors, with retail investors having no access to new issued shares. These traditional exchanges generate revenues primarily from companies joining the market and subsequently paying an annual fee in order to stay on the exchange.

| (52) | Investbx seems, at first sight, to differ from these traditional markets. It, for instance, has no market makers. Market makers generate revenues based on the share price “spread”, i.e. the margin between bid and offer price. Market makers achieve revenues either by selling large volumes of shares at low spread, or by selling low volumes of shares at high spread. Both of these factors may contribute to them not working well with SMEs, which have, for instance, lower volumes of shares to sell. |
| --- | --- |

(52)

Investbx seems, at first sight, to differ from these traditional markets. It, for instance, has no market makers. Market makers generate revenues based on the share price “spread”, i.e. the margin between bid and offer price. Market makers achieve revenues either by selling large volumes of shares at low spread, or by selling low volumes of shares at high spread. Both of these factors may contribute to them not working well with SMEs, which have, for instance, lower volumes of shares to sell.

| (53) | Investbx furthermore seems to aim, unlike the traditional markets, also at providing a bridge between the above-mentioned traditional sources of finance and the more senior markets LSE, AIM and Ofex (“escalator function”). |
| --- | --- |

(53)

Investbx furthermore seems to aim, unlike the traditional markets, also at providing a bridge between the above-mentioned traditional sources of finance and the more senior markets LSE, AIM and Ofex (“escalator function”).

| (54) | However, at this stage, the differences to traditional markets and in particular to Ofex merits further examination and competition with LSE, AIM and Ofex as well as with debt financing from private banks needs to be verified further, particularly in view of the above and any further third party comments. |
| --- | --- |

(54)

However, at this stage, the differences to traditional markets and in particular to Ofex merits further examination and competition with LSE, AIM and Ofex as well as with debt financing from private banks needs to be verified further, particularly in view of the above and any further third party comments.

5.   DECISION

The Commission at this stage concludes that the measure involves State aid pursuant to Article 87(1) EC to Investbx. It nevertheless wishes to further verify the presence of State aid at the level of the investors and the enterprises invested in. In addition, also in view of the third party comments, it currently has doubts as to the compatibility of the measure with the common market, in particular the presence of a well-targeted market failure, whether the aid instrument has an incentive effect and whether the distortions of competition and the effect on trade are limited to ensure that the aid measure is not, on balance, against the common interest.

In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) EC, requests the United Kingdom to submit its comments and to provide all such information as may help to assess the aid, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter.

The Commission wishes to remind the United Kingdom that Article 88(3) EC has suspensory effect, and would draw its attention to Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, which provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient.

The Commission warns the United Kingdom that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform interested parties in the EFTA countries which are signatories to the EEA Agreement, by publication of a notice in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union and will inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.’

---

(1)  EFT C 235 af 21.8.2001, s. 3.

1

(2)  The definition complies with Commission Recommendation of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36).

2

(3)  Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1).

3

(4)  Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1).

4

(5)  OJ C 235, 21.8.2001, p. 3.

5

(6)  Commission decision of 17 August 2000 on State aid No N 265/2000 — UK concerning the UK regional aid map for 2000–2006 (OJ C 272, 23.9.2000, p. 43).

6

(7)  OJ C 74, 10.3.1998, p. 9.

7

(8)  See State aid No C 17/2004 — UK, not yet published in the Official Journal.

8

(9)  Take as example State aid No C 17/2004 — UK (“Enterprise Capital Funds”) and State aid No C 72/2003 — UK (“Invest Northern Ireland Venture 2003”).

9

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III Oplysninger

Kommissionen

| 19.11.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 288/19 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.11.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 288/19

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MEDDELELSE OM INDKALDELSE AF FORSLAG INFSO-MEDIA 11/2005

Media-uddannelse (2001-2006)

(2005/C 288/10)

1.   Formål og beskrivelse

Denne meddelelse om indkaldelse af forslag er baseret på Europa-Parlamentets og Rådets afgørelse nr. 163/2001/EF om iværksættelse af et uddannelsesprogram for branchefolk inden for den europæiske audiovisuelle programindustri (Media-uddannelse 2001-2006), offentliggjort i De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende L 26 af 27.1.2001.

Blandt de aktioner, der skal gennemføres i henhold til afgørelsen, er forbedring af erhvervsuddannelsen for den audiovisuelle sektors branchefolk for at give dem de nødvendige kvalifikationer med henblik på at skabe konkurrencedygtige produkter på det europæiske marked og de øvrige markeder, især på følgende områder:

| — | anvendelse af ny teknologi, især digital, til produktion og spredning af audiovisuelle programmer |
| --- | --- |

—

anvendelse af ny teknologi, især digital, til produktion og spredning af audiovisuelle programmer

| — | økonomisk, finansiel og forretningsmæssig virksomhedsledelse, herunder de retlige regler |
| --- | --- |

—

økonomisk, finansiel og forretningsmæssig virksomhedsledelse, herunder de retlige regler

| — | teknikker til affattelse af drejebøger. |
| --- | --- |

—

teknikker til affattelse af drejebøger.

2.   Støtteberettigede deltagere

Denne meddelelse henvender sig til ansøgere fra en af følgende kategorier, hvis virksomhed bidrager til ovennævnte aktioner:

| — | film- og tv-skoler |
| --- | --- |

—

film- og tv-skoler

| — | universiteter |
| --- | --- |

—

universiteter

| — | specialiserede erhvervsuddannelsesinstitutioner |
| --- | --- |

—

specialiserede erhvervsuddannelsesinstitutioner

| — | private virksomheder i den audiovisuelle sektor |
| --- | --- |

—

private virksomheder i den audiovisuelle sektor

| — | faglige organisationer og sammenslutninger for den audiovisuelle sektor. |
| --- | --- |

—

faglige organisationer og sammenslutninger for den audiovisuelle sektor.

Ansøgerne skal være etableret i et af følgende lande:

| — | en af de 25 EU-medlemsstater |
| --- | --- |

—

en af de 25 EU-medlemsstater

| — | et af EØS-/EFTA-landene Island, Liechtenstein, Norge, Schweiz |
| --- | --- |

—

et af EØS-/EFTA-landene Island, Liechtenstein, Norge, Schweiz

| — | kandidatlandet Bulgarien. |
| --- | --- |

—

kandidatlandet Bulgarien.

3.   Budget

EU har for perioden 2001-2006 afsat 59 400 000 EUR til gennemførelsen af Media-uddannelsesprogrammet.

Det samlede budget til samfinansiering af projekterne er på 8 000 000 EUR.

Den finansielle støtte fra Kommissionen kan ikke overstige 50(-60 %) af de samlede støtteberettigede omkostninger.

Det finansielle bidrag ydes som tilskud.

Projekternes maksimale varighed er 12 måneder.

4.   Ansøgningsfrist

Ansøgningerne skal sendes til Kommissionen senest den 1.3.2006

5.   Fuldstændige oplysninger

Den fulde tekst til indkaldelsen af forslag og ansøgningsskemaerne findes på

http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/index_fr.html

Ansøgningerne skal opfylde samtlige krav, der stilles i den fulde tekst, og skal indsendes på det dertil beregnede ansøgningsskema.

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