# Official Journal C 145/2008

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 145 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5111 June 2008 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 145

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5111 June 2008

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Commission |
| 2008/C 145/01 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2008/C 145/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5128 — Nordic Capital/TietoEnator) (
  1
  ) | 5 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

2008/C 145/01

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  )

1

1

2008/C 145/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5128 — Nordic Capital/TietoEnator) (
  1
  )

1

5

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Council |
| 2008/C 145/03 | Council conclusions on the Special Report No 9/2007 by the European Court of Auditors concerning Evaluating the EU Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programmes — Could the Commission's approach be improved? | 6 |
| | Commission |
| 2008/C 145/04 | Euro exchange rates | 8 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2008/C 145/05 | Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| 2008/C 145/06 | Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (
  1
  ) | 10 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Council

2008/C 145/03

Council conclusions on the Special Report No 9/2007 by the European Court of Auditors concerning Evaluating the EU Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programmes — Could the Commission's approach be improved?

6

Commission

2008/C 145/04

Euro exchange rates

8

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2008/C 145/05

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid (
  1
  )

1

9

2008/C 145/06

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (
  1
  )

1

10

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Investment Bank |
| 2008/C 145/07 | Call for proposals — The European Investment Bank proposes two new EIBURS sponsorships within its EIB-Universities Research Action | 12 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Investment Bank

2008/C 145/07

Call for proposals — The European Investment Bank proposes two new EIBURS sponsorships within its EIB-Universities Research Action

12

| | Corrigenda |
| --- | --- |
| 2008/C 145/08 | Corrigendum to the Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of wire rod originating in the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Moldova and Turkey (OJ C 113, 8.5.2008) | 14 |

Corrigenda

2008/C 145/08

Corrigendum to the Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of wire rod originating in the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Moldova and Turkey (OJ C 113, 8.5.2008)

(OJ C 113, 8.5.2008)

14

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/1

---

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 145/01)

| Date of adoption of the decision | 22.4.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | N 389/07 |
| Member State | Germany |
| Region | Niedersachsen |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Beteiligungsfonds des Landes Niedersachsen im Rahmen der Strukturfondsförderung 2007-2013 |
| Legal basis | §§ 23 und 44 der Niedersächsischen Landeshaushaltsordnung; ERDF-Operational Programm of Lower Saxony for the structural funds period 2007-2013 |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | — |
| Form of aid | — |
| Budget | Overall budget: EUR 70 million |
| Intensity | Measure does not constitute aid |
| Duration | Until 31.12.2020 |
| Economic sectors | All sectors |
| Name and address of the granting authority | NBank |
| Günther-Wagner-Allee 12-14 |
| D-30177 Hannover |

Date of adoption of the decision

22.4.2008

Reference number of the aid

N 389/07

Member State

Germany

Region

Niedersachsen

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Beteiligungsfonds des Landes Niedersachsen im Rahmen der Strukturfondsförderung 2007-2013

Legal basis

§§ 23 und 44 der Niedersächsischen Landeshaushaltsordnung; ERDF-Operational Programm of Lower Saxony for the structural funds period 2007-2013

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

—

Form of aid

—

Budget

Overall budget: EUR 70 million

Intensity

Measure does not constitute aid

Duration

Until 31.12.2020

Economic sectors

All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority

NBank

Günther-Wagner-Allee 12-14

D-30177 Hannover

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

| Date of adoption of the decision | 5.5.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | N 625/07 |
| Member State | Latvia |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Atbalsts mazo un vidējo uzņēmumu riska kapitālam |
| Legal basis | Latvijas Vienotais programmdokuments 2004–2006. Programmas papildinājums Latvijas Vienotajam programmdokumentam 2004–2006 |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Risk capital |
| Form of aid | Provision of risk capital |
| Budget | Overall budget: LVL 10,3 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration | 1.5.2008-31.12.2008 |
| Economic sectors | All sectors |
| Name and address of the granting authority | SIA “Latvijas Garantiju aģentūra” |
| Tirgoņu iela 11 |
| Rīga |

Date of adoption of the decision

5.5.2008

Reference number of the aid

N 625/07

Member State

Latvia

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Atbalsts mazo un vidējo uzņēmumu riska kapitālam

Legal basis

Latvijas Vienotais programmdokuments 2004–2006. Programmas papildinājums Latvijas Vienotajam programmdokumentam 2004–2006

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Risk capital

Form of aid

Provision of risk capital

Budget

Overall budget: LVL 10,3 million

Intensity

—

Duration

1.5.2008-31.12.2008

Economic sectors

All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority

SIA “Latvijas Garantiju aģentūra”

Tirgoņu iela 11

Rīga

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

| Date of adoption of the decision | 18.3.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | N 707/07 |
| Member State | Estonia |
| Region | Kirde-Eesti |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | AS Sillamäe SEJ |
| Legal basis | 1) | Käskkiri 26. oktoober 2007 nr 611 Euroopa Majanduspiirkonna finantsmehhanismist ja Norra finantsmehhanismist keskkonnakaitsele antava riigiabi andmise tingimused |

Date of adoption of the decision

18.3.2008

Reference number of the aid

N 707/07

Member State

Estonia

Region

Kirde-Eesti

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

AS Sillamäe SEJ

Legal basis

1)

Käskkiri 26. oktoober 2007 nr 611 Euroopa Majanduspiirkonna finantsmehhanismist ja Norra finantsmehhanismist keskkonnakaitsele antava riigiabi andmise tingimused

| 2) | Vabariigi Valitsuse 14. juuni 2006. a. määruse nr 137 „Euroopa Majanduspiirkonna finantsmehhanismi ja Norra finantsmehhanismi vahendite taotlemise, kasutamise, järelevalve ja tulemuste hindamise tingimused ja kord” § 111 lõike 3 |
| --- | --- |

2)

Vabariigi Valitsuse 14. juuni 2006. a. määruse nr 137 „Euroopa Majanduspiirkonna finantsmehhanismi ja Norra finantsmehhanismi vahendite taotlemise, kasutamise, järelevalve ja tulemuste hindamise tingimused ja kord” § 111 lõike 3

Type of measure

Individual aid

Objective

Energy saving

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Overall budget: EEK 5,072 million

Intensity

60 %

Duration

1.2.2008-30.4.2011

Economic sectors

Electricity, gas and water supply

Name and address of the granting authority

| Rahandusministeeriumi |
| --- |
| Suur-Ameerika 1 |
| ET-15006 Tallinn |

Rahandusministeeriumi

Suur-Ameerika 1

ET-15006 Tallinn

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

| Date of adoption of the decision | 30.4.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | NN 24/08 |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Poste Italiane SpA — Compensazioni statali dell'onere del servizio postale universale 2006-2008 |
| Legal basis | Contratto di programma 2006-2008 tra il Ministero delle Comunicazioni di concerto con il Ministero dell'Economia e delle finanze e la società Poste italiane SpA |
| Type of measure | Individual aid |
| Objective | Services of general economic interest |
| Form of aid | Direct grant |
| Budget | Overall budget: EUR 1 105,18 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration | 1.1.2006-31.12.2008 |
| Economic sectors | Post and telecommunications |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Ministero dell'Economia e delle finanze |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

30.4.2008

Reference number of the aid

NN 24/08

Member State

Italy

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Poste Italiane SpA — Compensazioni statali dell'onere del servizio postale universale 2006-2008

Legal basis

Contratto di programma 2006-2008 tra il Ministero delle Comunicazioni di concerto con il Ministero dell'Economia e delle finanze e la società Poste italiane SpA

Type of measure

Individual aid

Objective

Services of general economic interest

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Overall budget: EUR 1 105,18 million

Intensity

—

Duration

1.1.2006-31.12.2008

Economic sectors

Post and telecommunications

Name and address of the granting authority

Ministero dell'Economia e delle finanze

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

| Date of adoption of the decision | 10.3.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | N 26/08 |
| Member State | Denmark |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Ændringer i finansieringsordningen for eksport af skibe |
| Legal basis | Bekendtgørelse nr. 1027 af 8. december 2003 |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Sectoral development |
| Form of aid | Soft loan |
| Budget | Overall budget: DKK 18 000 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration | Until 31.12.2012 |
| Economic sectors | Shipbuilding |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Danmarks Skibskreditfund |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

10.3.2008

Reference number of the aid

N 26/08

Member State

Denmark

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Ændringer i finansieringsordningen for eksport af skibe

Legal basis

Bekendtgørelse nr. 1027 af 8. december 2003

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Sectoral development

Form of aid

Soft loan

Budget

Overall budget: DKK 18 000 million

Intensity

—

Duration

Until 31.12.2012

Economic sectors

Shipbuilding

Name and address of the granting authority

Danmarks Skibskreditfund

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

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| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/5

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.5128 — Nordic Capital/TietoEnator)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 145/02)

On 6 May 2008, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32008M5128. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32008M5128. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Council

| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/6

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Council conclusions on the Special Report No 9/2007 by the European Court of Auditors concerning ‘Evaluating the EU Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programmes — Could the Commission's approach be improved?’

(2008/C 145/03)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RECALLING the Council conclusions on improving the examination of special reports drawn up by the Court of Auditors in the context of the discharge procedure (1).

RECALLING that Article 163(1) of the Treaty provides that ‘the Community shall have the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community industry and encouraging it to become more competitive at international level, while promoting all the research activities deemed necessary by virtue of other chapters of this Treaty’ and the important contribution of the Framework Programmes (hereinafter ‘FPs’) to achieving the goals of the Lisbon Strategy, including in terms of increasing human resources in research and development, giving high priority to public investments in science and research and fostering private investments, reforming public research infrastructures and promoting internationalisation.

RECALLING that previous evaluations of the FPs, such as the Five Year Assessment in 2004, provided an important contribution towards the launch and adoption of subsequent FPs.

RECALLING the current legal obligations of the Commission regarding the monitoring, evaluation and communication of information of FPs, in particular Article 7 of Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (hereinafter ‘FP7’) (2), Articles 27 and 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (3), as well as the Council Decisions on Specific Programmes (4).

| 1. | WELCOMES Special Report No 9/2007 by the European Court of Auditors concerning ‘Evaluating the EU Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programmes — Could the Commission's approach be improved?’ (5) (hereinafter ‘SR’); and RECOGNISES the efforts and achievements of the European Court of Auditors in producing this comprehensive SR. |
| --- | --- |

1.

WELCOMES Special Report No 9/2007 by the European Court of Auditors concerning ‘Evaluating the EU Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programmes — Could the Commission's approach be improved?’ (5) (hereinafter ‘SR’); and RECOGNISES the efforts and achievements of the European Court of Auditors in producing this comprehensive SR.

| 2. | GIVES serious consideration to the overall conclusion of the SR and WELCOMES its Recommendations. |
| --- | --- |

2.

GIVES serious consideration to the overall conclusion of the SR and WELCOMES its Recommendations.

| 3. | TAKES NOTE of the Commission's replies which accompany the Report and WELCOMES the actions being already undertaken or envisaged to improve the Commission's approach to evaluations. |
| --- | --- |

3.

TAKES NOTE of the Commission's replies which accompany the Report and WELCOMES the actions being already undertaken or envisaged to improve the Commission's approach to evaluations.

| 4. | NOTES that the Court of Auditors' SR addresses the period covered by the Fourth to the Sixth EU Research and Technological Development FPs and that in addition to evaluation, the SR addresses a wider set of issues such as the structure, the coordination and the implementation of the FPs. |
| --- | --- |

4.

NOTES that the Court of Auditors' SR addresses the period covered by the Fourth to the Sixth EU Research and Technological Development FPs and that in addition to evaluation, the SR addresses a wider set of issues such as the structure, the coordination and the implementation of the FPs.

| 5. | RECOGNISES that the European Court of Auditors has observed that relevant Commission services implementing the FPs have complied with the formal Commission-wide requirements, including those specified in the 2000 and 2002 Communications on evaluation. |
| --- | --- |

5.

RECOGNISES that the European Court of Auditors has observed that relevant Commission services implementing the FPs have complied with the formal Commission-wide requirements, including those specified in the 2000 and 2002 Communications on evaluation.

| 6. | UNDERLINES, also in view of the forthcoming mid-term review process of FP7, that monitoring, evaluation and review play a critical role in the effective operation and possible adaptation of FPs (‘learning programmes’), and in helping to shape future policies for research both at European and national level. |
| --- | --- |

6.

UNDERLINES, also in view of the forthcoming mid-term review process of FP7, that monitoring, evaluation and review play a critical role in the effective operation and possible adaptation of FPs (‘learning programmes’), and in helping to shape future policies for research both at European and national level.

| 7. | NOTES that the Commission established an overall evaluation framework in 2000 which was revised in 2002 and 2007 and that relevant adjustments are being made continuously with particular reinforcement in the FP7 as set out in the FP7 ex ante Impact Assessment (6), in the Internal Control Standards (7) and in the recently developed ‘Quality Assessment Framework’ (8). These improvements include a new impetus to the Commission's existing internal ‘RTD evaluation network’, a better routine collection of data from projects, a new IT system for FP7, a more coherent and systematic use of performance indicators and the encouragement of scientometric approaches; and is therefore LOOKING FORWARD to the forthcoming ex post evaluation of FP6 in 2008. |
| --- | --- |

7.

NOTES that the Commission established an overall evaluation framework in 2000 which was revised in 2002 and 2007 and that relevant adjustments are being made continuously with particular reinforcement in the FP7 as set out in the FP7 ex ante Impact Assessment (6), in the Internal Control Standards (7) and in the recently developed ‘Quality Assessment Framework’ (8). These improvements include a new impetus to the Commission's existing internal ‘RTD evaluation network’, a better routine collection of data from projects, a new IT system for FP7, a more coherent and systematic use of performance indicators and the encouragement of scientometric approaches; and is therefore LOOKING FORWARD to the forthcoming ex post evaluation of FP6 in 2008.

| 8. | STRESSES that, despite these adjustments, further efforts need to be undertaken to improve the research monitoring and evaluation systems on evidence based approach; therefore: |
| --- | --- |

8.

STRESSES that, despite these adjustments, further efforts need to be undertaken to improve the research monitoring and evaluation systems on evidence based approach; therefore:

| 9. | INVITES the Commission to pay utmost attention to the recommendations of the SR and in particular to:






  (a) | ensure greater clarity in the intervention logic in the conception and implementation of FPs in the context of relevant Community decision making procedures, in particular at programme and project level, with coherent and better defined scientific and socio-economic objectives which should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timed, and balanced performance indicators, whilst taking into account the specific nature of RTD activities; |
| --- | --- | --- |

9.

INVITES the Commission to pay utmost attention to the recommendations of the SR and in particular to:

(a)

ensure greater clarity in the intervention logic in the conception and implementation of FPs in the context of relevant Community decision making procedures, in particular at programme and project level, with coherent and better defined scientific and socio-economic objectives which should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timed, and balanced performance indicators, whilst taking into account the specific nature of RTD activities;

| (b) | establish a unified and coherent evaluation strategy across the relevant Commission services including the appropriate evaluation methodologies and techniques and, to this end, prepare a manual for the evaluation of FP activities, and in this context further develop the use of evaluation panels with the assistance of external experts with a view to ensuring the necessary level of independence; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

establish a unified and coherent evaluation strategy across the relevant Commission services including the appropriate evaluation methodologies and techniques and, to this end, prepare a manual for the evaluation of FP activities, and in this context further develop the use of evaluation panels with the assistance of external experts with a view to ensuring the necessary level of independence;

| (c) | consider options for a more centralised evaluation and reinforced coordination between the relevant Commission services, including the possibility of establishing a joint evaluation office; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

consider options for a more centralised evaluation and reinforced coordination between the relevant Commission services, including the possibility of establishing a joint evaluation office;

| (d) | optimise the collection, analysis and use of evaluation data in such a way to better measure the achievement of programme objectives in terms of outputs, outcomes and socio-economic impacts, whilst avoiding undue administrative burden for participants, and also maximising the usefulness of such data for decision making at European, national and regional level; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

optimise the collection, analysis and use of evaluation data in such a way to better measure the achievement of programme objectives in terms of outputs, outcomes and socio-economic impacts, whilst avoiding undue administrative burden for participants, and also maximising the usefulness of such data for decision making at European, national and regional level;

| (e) | establish the type and scope of evaluation in particular to give greater attention to assessing long-term impact of past and present FPs with a particular emphasis on European competitiveness; ensure timely and sufficient information on the results to stakeholders with a view to taking future policy decisions. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

establish the type and scope of evaluation in particular to give greater attention to assessing long-term impact of past and present FPs with a particular emphasis on European competitiveness; ensure timely and sufficient information on the results to stakeholders with a view to taking future policy decisions.

| 10. | INVITES the Commission to inform the Council and the European Parliament on the steps taken with regard to the recommendations of the Court of Auditors to improve the monitoring and evaluation of the FPs by end 2008, and to present the evaluation strategy for FP7 in a timely manner. |
| --- | --- |

10.

INVITES the Commission to inform the Council and the European Parliament on the steps taken with regard to the recommendations of the Court of Auditors to improve the monitoring and evaluation of the FPs by end 2008, and to present the evaluation strategy for FP7 in a timely manner.

| 11. | INVITES the European Court of Auditors to follow-up its audit in time for the 2010 discharge exercise and report back to the Council and the European Parliament. |
| --- | --- |

11.

INVITES the European Court of Auditors to follow-up its audit in time for the 2010 discharge exercise and report back to the Council and the European Parliament.

| 12. | INVITES the Member States and the Commission, taking into account the political priority given to governance in the European Research Area, to strengthen their cooperation and the exchange of approaches and expertise concerning the evaluation of the impact of the national participation in the FPs and the national research and innovation programmes, for example by the ‘European RTD evaluation network’, in order to promote more coherence among these impact studies of the Commission and the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

12.

INVITES the Member States and the Commission, taking into account the political priority given to governance in the European Research Area, to strengthen their cooperation and the exchange of approaches and expertise concerning the evaluation of the impact of the national participation in the FPs and the national research and innovation programmes, for example by the ‘European RTD evaluation network’, in order to promote more coherence among these impact studies of the Commission and the Member States.

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(1)  Doc. 7515/00 FIN 127 of 3 April 2000 + COR 1 of 12 April 2000.

(2)  OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(3)  OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(4)  See the respective Annexes concerning the information to be provided by the Commission to the Committee (e.g. Annex V of Council Decision of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 54, 22.2.2007, p. 30)).

(5)  Doc. 5136/08 FIN 4 RECH 5 ATO 5 COMPET 5 of 9 January 2008.

(6)  Doc. SEC(2005) 430.

(7)  Doc. SEC(2007) 1341.

(8)  http://ec.europa.eu/budget/documents/evaluation_en.htm

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Commission

| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/8

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Euro exchange rates (1)

10 June 2008

(2008/C 145/04)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,5526 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 165,77 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4597 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,79335 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,3145 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,6080 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 119,45 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,9690 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,433 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 247,66 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7027 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,3815 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 3,6712 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 30,280 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,9365 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6335 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5979 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 12,1251 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 2,0598 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 2,1252 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 595,30 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 12,3525 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,7525 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,2489 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 493,52 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 5,0708 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 69,052 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 36,7220 |
| THB | Thai baht | 51,275 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,5328 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 16,1004 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,5526

JPY

Japanese yen

165,77

DKK

Danish krone

7,4597

GBP

Pound sterling

0,79335

SEK

Swedish krona

9,3145

CHF

Swiss franc

1,6080

ISK

Iceland króna

119,45

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,9690

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,433

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

247,66

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7027

PLN

Polish zloty

3,3815

RON

Romanian leu

3,6712

SKK

Slovak koruna

30,280

TRY

Turkish lira

1,9365

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6335

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5979

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

12,1251

NZD

New Zealand dollar

2,0598

SGD

Singapore dollar

2,1252

KRW

South Korean won

1 595,30

ZAR

South African rand

12,3525

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,7525

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,2489

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 493,52

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

5,0708

PHP

Philippine peso

69,052

RUB

Russian rouble

36,7220

THB

Thai baht

51,275

BRL

Brazilian real

2,5328

MXN

Mexican peso

16,1004

---

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/9

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 145/05)

| Aid No | XR 175/07 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Spain |
| Region | País Vasco |
| Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement | Programa de Proyectos Estratégicos |
| Legal basis | Orden de 19 de septiembre de 2007, de la Consejera de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, por la que se regula el programa de ayudas para la realización de inversiones iniciales y para la creación de empleo vinculada a las mismas contenidas en proyectos estratégicos (BOPV no 194 de 8 de octubre de 2007).
  Resolución de 19 de septiembre de 2007 del Viceconsejero de Tecnología y Desarrollo Industrial, por la que se hace pública la convocatoria de concesión de ayudas para el ejercicio 2007, en el marco establecido por la Orden que regula el programa de ayudas para la realización de inversiones iniciales y para la creación de empleo vinculada a las mismas contenidas en proyectos estratégicos (BOPV no 196 de 10 de octubre de 2007) |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Annual budget | EUR 24 million |
| Maximum aid intensity | 10 % |
| In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation |
| Date of implementation | 11.10.2007 |
| Duration | 31.12.2008 |
| Economic sectors | All sectors eligible for regional investment aid |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Departamento de Industria, Comercio y Turismo |
| Gobierno Vasco |
| C/ Donostia - San Sebastián, no 1 |
| E-01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz |

Aid No

XR 175/07

Member State

Spain

Region

País Vasco

Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement

Programa de Proyectos Estratégicos

Legal basis

Orden de 19 de septiembre de 2007, de la Consejera de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, por la que se regula el programa de ayudas para la realización de inversiones iniciales y para la creación de empleo vinculada a las mismas contenidas en proyectos estratégicos (BOPV no 194 de 8 de octubre de 2007).

Resolución de 19 de septiembre de 2007 del Viceconsejero de Tecnología y Desarrollo Industrial, por la que se hace pública la convocatoria de concesión de ayudas para el ejercicio 2007, en el marco establecido por la Orden que regula el programa de ayudas para la realización de inversiones iniciales y para la creación de empleo vinculada a las mismas contenidas en proyectos estratégicos (BOPV no 196 de 10 de octubre de 2007)

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Annual budget

EUR 24 million

Maximum aid intensity

10 %

In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation

Date of implementation

11.10.2007

Duration

31.12.2008

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for regional investment aid

Name and address of the granting authority

Departamento de Industria, Comercio y Turismo

Gobierno Vasco

C/ Donostia - San Sebastián, no 1

E-01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz

Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme

http://www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/bopv_20?c&f=20071008&s=2007194

http://www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/bopv_20?c&f=20071008&s=2007196

Other information

—

---

| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/10

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 145/06)

| Reference number of the aid | XT 48/08 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Aiuti destinati alle imprese operanti nel territorio della regione appartenenti ai settori esposti alla concorrenza internazionale e che sono rivolti alla prima formazione, alla riqualificazione ed aggiornamento dei loro addetti, con particolare riguardo alle fasce deboli |
| Legal basis | Delibera della Giunta regionale n. 462 del 7 aprile 2008 |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Budget | Annual budget: EUR 4,50 million |
| Maximum aid intensity | In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation |
| Date of implementation | 15.4.2008 |
| Duration | 30.6.2008 |
| Objective | General training; Specific training |
| Economic sectors | All sectors eligible for training aid |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Direzione Generale Cultura, Formazione e Lavoro |
| Viale Aldo Moro, 38 |
| I-40127 Bologna |

Reference number of the aid

XT 48/08

Member State

Italy

Region

Emilia-Romagna

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Aiuti destinati alle imprese operanti nel territorio della regione appartenenti ai settori esposti alla concorrenza internazionale e che sono rivolti alla prima formazione, alla riqualificazione ed aggiornamento dei loro addetti, con particolare riguardo alle fasce deboli

Legal basis

Delibera della Giunta regionale n. 462 del 7 aprile 2008

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 4,50 million

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

Date of implementation

15.4.2008

Duration

30.6.2008

Objective

General training; Specific training

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for training aid

Name and address of the granting authority

Direzione Generale Cultura, Formazione e Lavoro

Viale Aldo Moro, 38

I-40127 Bologna

| Reference number of the aid | XT 54/08 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Belgium |
| Region | Vlaams Gewest |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering tot toekenning van strategische investerings- en opleidingssteun aan ondernemingen in het Vlaamse Gewest |
| Legal basis | Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering tot toekenning van strategische investerings- en opleidingssteun aan ondernemingen in het Vlaamse Gewest
  (Enkel de bepalingen inzake opleidingssteun zijn vrijgesteld op basis van Verordening 68/2001. De andere bepalingen zijn vrijgesteld op basis van Verordeningen 70/2001 en 1628/2006) |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Budget | Annual budget: EUR 30 million |
| Maximum aid intensity | In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation |
| Date of implementation | 18.4.2008 |
| Duration | 31.12.2013 |
| Objective | Specific training |
| Economic sectors | All sectors eligible for training aid |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Vlaamse Overheid — Agentschap Economie |
| Koning Albert II-laan 35, bus 12 |
| B-1030 Brussel |

Reference number of the aid

XT 54/08

Member State

Belgium

Region

Vlaams Gewest

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering tot toekenning van strategische investerings- en opleidingssteun aan ondernemingen in het Vlaamse Gewest

Legal basis

Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering tot toekenning van strategische investerings- en opleidingssteun aan ondernemingen in het Vlaamse Gewest

(Enkel de bepalingen inzake opleidingssteun zijn vrijgesteld op basis van Verordening 68/2001. De andere bepalingen zijn vrijgesteld op basis van Verordeningen 70/2001 en 1628/2006)

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 30 million

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

Date of implementation

18.4.2008

Duration

31.12.2013

Objective

Specific training

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for training aid

Name and address of the granting authority

Vlaamse Overheid — Agentschap Economie

Koning Albert II-laan 35, bus 12

B-1030 Brussel

| Reference number of the aid | XT 55/08 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Latvia |
| Region | Latvija |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts partnerībās organizētam apmācībām un Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts komersantu individuāli organizētām apmācībām |
| Legal basis | Ministru kabineta 2008. gada 25. marta noteikumi Nr. 203 “Noteikumi par darbības programmas “Cilvēkresursi un nodarbinātība” papildinājuma apakš aktivitāti 1.3.1.1.1. “Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts partnerībās organizētām apmācībām” un apakš aktivitāti 1.3.1.1.4. “Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts komersantu individuāli organizētām apmācībām””;
  Darbības programma “Cilvēkresursi un nodarbinātība” (638.–641. punkts);
  Darbības programmas “Cilvēkresursi un nodarbinātība” papildinājums (177.–182. un 195.–200. punkts);
  Eiropas Savienības struktūrfondu un Kohēzijas fonda vadības likums |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Budget | Annual budget: LVL 3,22 million |
| Maximum aid intensity | In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation |
| Date of implementation | 21.5.2008 |
| Duration | 31.12.2013 |
| Objective | General training; Specific training |
| Economic sectors | All sectors eligible for training aid |
| Name and address of the granting authority | v/a “Latvijas Investīciju un attīstības aģentūra” |
| Pērses iela 2 |
| LV-1442 Rīga |

Reference number of the aid

XT 55/08

Member State

Latvia

Region

Latvija

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts partnerībās organizētam apmācībām un Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts komersantu individuāli organizētām apmācībām

Legal basis

Ministru kabineta 2008. gada 25. marta noteikumi Nr. 203 “Noteikumi par darbības programmas “Cilvēkresursi un nodarbinātība” papildinājuma apakš aktivitāti 1.3.1.1.1. “Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts partnerībās organizētām apmācībām” un apakš aktivitāti 1.3.1.1.4. “Atbalsts nodarbināto apmācībām komersantu konkurētspējas veicināšanai — atbalsts komersantu individuāli organizētām apmācībām””;

Darbības programma “Cilvēkresursi un nodarbinātība” (638.–641. punkts);

Darbības programmas “Cilvēkresursi un nodarbinātība” papildinājums (177.–182. un 195.–200. punkts);

Eiropas Savienības struktūrfondu un Kohēzijas fonda vadības likums

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Budget

Annual budget: LVL 3,22 million

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

Date of implementation

21.5.2008

Duration

31.12.2013

Objective

General training; Specific training

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for training aid

Name and address of the granting authority

v/a “Latvijas Investīciju un attīstības aģentūra”

Pērses iela 2

LV-1442 Rīga

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Investment Bank

| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/12

---

Call for proposals — The European Investment Bank proposes two new EIBURS sponsorships within its EIB-Universities Research Action

(2008/C 145/07)

The European Investment Bank channels most of its institutional relations with Universities through an EIB-Universities Research Action consisting of three different programmes:

| — | EIBURS, the EIB University Research Sponsorship Programme, |
| --- | --- |

—

EIBURS, the EIB University Research Sponsorship Programme,

| — | STAREBEI (STAges de REcherche BEI), a programme for financing young researchers working on joint EIB-University projects, and |
| --- | --- |

—

STAREBEI (STAges de REcherche BEI), a programme for financing young researchers working on joint EIB-University projects, and

| — | EIB University Networks, a co-operation mechanism for university networks showing characteristics that are of particular relevance to support the objectives of the EIB Group. |
| --- | --- |

—

EIB University Networks, a co-operation mechanism for university networks showing characteristics that are of particular relevance to support the objectives of the EIB Group.

EIBURS provides grants to University Research Centres working on research topics and themes of major interest to the Bank. EIB sponsorships, of up to EUR 100 000 per year for a period of three years, are awarded through a competitive process to interested University Departments or Research Centres, associated with Universities of EU, Accession or Acceding Countries, with recognised expertise in EIB-selected areas, so they can expand their activities in these areas. The successful proposal will entail the delivery of a variety of outputs (research, organisation of courses and seminars, networking, dissemination of results, etc.) that will be the subject of a contractual agreement with the Bank.

For the academic year 2008-2009, the EIBURS programme has selected two new lines of research:

| — | Financing Young Innovative Firms in Europe

  The University Centre receiving the EIBURS on this line of research is expected to be involved in advanced research related to possible finance constraints on young innovative firms in Europe. In comparison to the US, relatively few European start-ups grow into large successful companies. The main objective of this project is to analyze to which extent finance plays a role in this result. Typical aspects of this line of research would be to model and measure the finance constraint, to distinguish between different types of finance (venture capital, mezzanine finance etc.), and to formulate public policy recommendations. The project may involve any additional activity that the University Centre would be ready to undertake with the sponsorship in the line of research, including inter alia (i) organization of courses and seminars, (ii) creation of databases and surveys. |
| --- | --- |

—

Financing Young Innovative Firms in Europe

The University Centre receiving the EIBURS on this line of research is expected to be involved in advanced research related to possible finance constraints on young innovative firms in Europe. In comparison to the US, relatively few European start-ups grow into large successful companies. The main objective of this project is to analyze to which extent finance plays a role in this result. Typical aspects of this line of research would be to model and measure the finance constraint, to distinguish between different types of finance (venture capital, mezzanine finance etc.), and to formulate public policy recommendations. The project may involve any additional activity that the University Centre would be ready to undertake with the sponsorship in the line of research, including inter alia (i) organization of courses and seminars, (ii) creation of databases and surveys.

| — | Infrastructure Funds

  Alongside the explosion of the private equity industry and the popularity of alternative asset classes, infrastructure funds have grown explosively in number and size in the past years. Infrastructure funds have, however, so far received virtually no attention from academic researchers. The University Research Centre receiving support under the EIBURS would be expected to set up a research programme focused on analysing the drivers of infrastructure funds and their impact on the market for infrastructure finance as well as related public policy issues. Specifically, the research programme would address the reasons for the growth of the market for infrastructure assets and the role of infrastructure funds in it; the impact and importance of infrastructure funds for infrastructure finance in Europe; the risks associated with infrastructure funds; and the scope for public policy intervention in regulating infrastructure funds. The project may involve any additional activity that the University Centre would be ready to undertake with the sponsorship in the line of research, including inter alia (i) organization of courses and seminars, (ii) creation of databases and surveys. |
| --- | --- |

—

Infrastructure Funds

Alongside the explosion of the private equity industry and the popularity of alternative asset classes, infrastructure funds have grown explosively in number and size in the past years. Infrastructure funds have, however, so far received virtually no attention from academic researchers. The University Research Centre receiving support under the EIBURS would be expected to set up a research programme focused on analysing the drivers of infrastructure funds and their impact on the market for infrastructure finance as well as related public policy issues. Specifically, the research programme would address the reasons for the growth of the market for infrastructure assets and the role of infrastructure funds in it; the impact and importance of infrastructure funds for infrastructure finance in Europe; the risks associated with infrastructure funds; and the scope for public policy intervention in regulating infrastructure funds. The project may involve any additional activity that the University Centre would be ready to undertake with the sponsorship in the line of research, including inter alia (i) organization of courses and seminars, (ii) creation of databases and surveys.

The deadline for presentation of proposals is 15 September 2008. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Proposals should be sent to:

| EIB-Universities Research Action |
| --- |
| 100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer |
| L-2950 Luxembourg |
| To the attention of Mr Mateu Turró, Co-ordinator. |

EIB-Universities Research Action

100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer

L-2950 Luxembourg

To the attention of Mr Mateu Turró, Co-ordinator.

For more exhaustive information on the
  EIBURS
  selection process and on the other programmes and mechanisms, please visit: www.eib.org/universities

---

Corrigenda

| 11.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 145/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 145/14

---

Corrigendum to the Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of wire rod originating in the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Moldova and Turkey

(
  Official Journal of the European Union C 113 of 8 May 2008
  )

(2008/C 145/08)

On page 22, point 5.1(b), second paragraph,

| — | in the first sentence, the words ‘and the Republic of Moldova’ shall be deleted, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the first sentence, the words ‘and the Republic of Moldova’ shall be deleted,

| — | the following second sentence shall be added: |
| --- | --- |

—

the following second sentence shall be added:

‘Exporters/producers in Turkey who wish to claim an individual margin, with a view to application of Article 17(3) of the Basic Regulation, must submit a completed questionnaire within 40 days of the date of publication of this corrigendum in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified.’

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