# Official Journal C 143/2008

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 143 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5110 June 2008 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 143

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5110 June 2008

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INTERINSTITUTIONAL AGREEMENTS |
| | European ParliamentCommission |
| 2008/C 143/01 | Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission on procedures for implementing Council Decision 1999/468/EC laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC | 1 |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Commission |
| 2008/C 143/02 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| 2008/C 143/03 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 7 |
| 2008/C 143/04 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5122 — ArcelorMittal/Borusan) (
  1
  ) | 8 |
| 2008/C 143/05 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5090 — ČEZ/MOL/JV) (
  1
  ) | 8 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INTERINSTITUTIONAL AGREEMENTS

European ParliamentCommission

2008/C 143/01

Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission on procedures for implementing Council Decision 1999/468/EC laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC

1

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

2008/C 143/02

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

1

5

2008/C 143/03

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

1

7

2008/C 143/04

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5122 — ArcelorMittal/Borusan) (
  1
  )

1

8

2008/C 143/05

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5090 — ČEZ/MOL/JV) (
  1
  )

1

8

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Council |
| 2008/C 143/06 | Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010 | 9 |
| | Commission |
| 2008/C 143/07 | Euro exchange rates | 17 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2008/C 143/08 | Commission notice pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 — Amendment of public service obligations imposed on certain scheduled air services within Portugal | 18 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Council

2008/C 143/06

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010

9

Commission

2008/C 143/07

Euro exchange rates

17

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2008/C 143/08

Commission notice pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 — Amendment of public service obligations imposed on certain scheduled air services within Portugal

18

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | Commission |
| 2008/C 143/09 | P-Lisbon: Operation of scheduled air services — Invitation to tender issued by Portugal under Article 4(1)(d) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 in respect of the operation of scheduled air services for the route Lisbon-Vila Real-Bragança-Vila Real-Lisbon (
  1
  ) | 20 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Commission

2008/C 143/09

P-Lisbon: Operation of scheduled air services — Invitation to tender issued by Portugal under Article 4(1)(d) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 in respect of the operation of scheduled air services for the route Lisbon-Vila Real-Bragança-Vila Real-Lisbon (
  1
  )

1

20

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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II Information

INTERINSTITUTIONAL AGREEMENTS

European Parliament Commission

| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/1

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Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission on procedures for implementing Council Decision 1999/468/EC laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC

(2008/C 143/01)

Information to the European Parliament

| 1. | Pursuant to Article 7(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC (1), the European Parliament is to be informed by the Commission on a regular basis of proceedings of committees (2) in accordance with arrangements which ensure that the transmission system is transparent and efficient and that the information forwarded and the various stages of the procedure are identified. To that end, it is to receive, at the same time as the members of the committees and on the same terms, the draft agendas for committee meetings, the draft implementing measures submitted to those committees pursuant to basic instruments adopted in accordance with the procedure provided for by Article 251 of the Treaty, the results of voting, summary records of the meetings and lists of the authorities to which the persons designated by the Member States to represent them belong. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Pursuant to Article 7(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC (1), the European Parliament is to be informed by the Commission on a regular basis of proceedings of committees (2) in accordance with arrangements which ensure that the transmission system is transparent and efficient and that the information forwarded and the various stages of the procedure are identified. To that end, it is to receive, at the same time as the members of the committees and on the same terms, the draft agendas for committee meetings, the draft implementing measures submitted to those committees pursuant to basic instruments adopted in accordance with the procedure provided for by Article 251 of the Treaty, the results of voting, summary records of the meetings and lists of the authorities to which the persons designated by the Member States to represent them belong.

Register

| 2. | The Commission will establish a register containing all documents forwarded to the European Parliament (3). The European Parliament will have direct access to this register. In accordance with Article 7(5) of Decision 1999/468/EC, references of all documents transmitted to the European Parliament will be made public. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The Commission will establish a register containing all documents forwarded to the European Parliament (3). The European Parliament will have direct access to this register. In accordance with Article 7(5) of Decision 1999/468/EC, references of all documents transmitted to the European Parliament will be made public.

| 3. | In accordance with the undertakings given by the Commission in its statement on Article 7(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC (4), and once the appropriate technical arrangements have been made, the register provided for in paragraph 2 will enable, in particular:






  — | a clear identification of the documents covered by the same procedure and of any changes to the implementing measure at each stage of the procedure, |
| --- | --- | --- |

3.

In accordance with the undertakings given by the Commission in its statement on Article 7(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC (4), and once the appropriate technical arrangements have been made, the register provided for in paragraph 2 will enable, in particular:

—

a clear identification of the documents covered by the same procedure and of any changes to the implementing measure at each stage of the procedure,

| — | an indication of the stage of the procedure and the timetable, |
| --- | --- |

—

an indication of the stage of the procedure and the timetable,

| — | a clear distinction between the draft measures received by the European Parliament at the same time as the committee members in accordance with the right to information and the final draft following the committee's opinion that is forwarded to the European Parliament, |
| --- | --- |

—

a clear distinction between the draft measures received by the European Parliament at the same time as the committee members in accordance with the right to information and the final draft following the committee's opinion that is forwarded to the European Parliament,

| — | a clear identification of any modification in comparison to documents already forwarded to the European Parliament. |
| --- | --- |

—

a clear identification of any modification in comparison to documents already forwarded to the European Parliament.

| 4. | When, after a transitional period starting from the entry into force of this Agreement, the European Parliament and the Commission conclude that the system is operational and satisfactory, the transmission of documents to the European Parliament shall be made by electronic notification with a link to the register provided for in paragraph 2. This decision shall be taken through an exchange of letters between the presidents of both institutions. During the transitional period, the documents will be forwarded to the European Parliament as an attachment to an electronic mail. |
| --- | --- |

4.

When, after a transitional period starting from the entry into force of this Agreement, the European Parliament and the Commission conclude that the system is operational and satisfactory, the transmission of documents to the European Parliament shall be made by electronic notification with a link to the register provided for in paragraph 2. This decision shall be taken through an exchange of letters between the presidents of both institutions. During the transitional period, the documents will be forwarded to the European Parliament as an attachment to an electronic mail.

| 5. | Furthermore, the Commission agrees to forward to the European Parliament, for information and at the request of the parliamentary committee responsible, specific draft measures implementing basic instruments which, although not adopted in accordance with the procedure provided for by Article 251 of the Treaty, are of particular importance to the European Parliament. These measures shall be entered in the register provided for in paragraph 2 with a notification thereof to the European Parliament. |
| --- | --- |

5.

Furthermore, the Commission agrees to forward to the European Parliament, for information and at the request of the parliamentary committee responsible, specific draft measures implementing basic instruments which, although not adopted in accordance with the procedure provided for by Article 251 of the Treaty, are of particular importance to the European Parliament. These measures shall be entered in the register provided for in paragraph 2 with a notification thereof to the European Parliament.

| 6. | In addition to the summary records referred to in paragraph 1, the European Parliament may request access to minutes of committee meetings (5). The Commission will examine each request, on a case by case basis, under the confidentiality rules set out in Annex 1 to the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission (6). |
| --- | --- |

6.

In addition to the summary records referred to in paragraph 1, the European Parliament may request access to minutes of committee meetings (5). The Commission will examine each request, on a case by case basis, under the confidentiality rules set out in Annex 1 to the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission (6).

Confidential documents

| 7. | Confidential documents will be processed in accordance with internal administrative procedures drawn up by each institution with a view to providing all the requisite guarantees. |
| --- | --- |

7.

Confidential documents will be processed in accordance with internal administrative procedures drawn up by each institution with a view to providing all the requisite guarantees.

European Parliament resolutions under Article 8 of Decision 1999/468/EC

| 8. | Pursuant to Article 8 of Decision 1999/468/EC, the European Parliament may indicate, in a resolution setting out the grounds on which it is based, that draft measures implementing a basic instrument adopted in accordance with the procedure provided for by Article 251 of the Treaty would exceed the implementing powers provided for in that basic instrument. |
| --- | --- |

8.

Pursuant to Article 8 of Decision 1999/468/EC, the European Parliament may indicate, in a resolution setting out the grounds on which it is based, that draft measures implementing a basic instrument adopted in accordance with the procedure provided for by Article 251 of the Treaty would exceed the implementing powers provided for in that basic instrument.

| 9. | The European Parliament is to adopt such resolutions in accordance with its Rules of Procedure; it is to have a period of one month in which to do so, beginning on the date of receipt of the final draft of the implementing measures in the language versions submitted to the members of the committee concerned. |
| --- | --- |

9.

The European Parliament is to adopt such resolutions in accordance with its Rules of Procedure; it is to have a period of one month in which to do so, beginning on the date of receipt of the final draft of the implementing measures in the language versions submitted to the members of the committee concerned.

| 10. | The European Parliament and the Commission agree that it is appropriate to establish a shorter time limit on a permanent basis for some types of urgent implementing measures on which a decision must be taken within a shorter period of time in the interests of sound management. This applies in particular to some types of measure relating to external action, including humanitarian and emergency aid, to health and safety protection, to transport security and safety and to exemptions from public procurement rules. An agreement between the Member of the Commission and the Chair of the parliamentary committee responsible will lay down the types of measure concerned and the applicable time limits. Such an agreement may be revoked at any time by either side. |
| --- | --- |

10.

The European Parliament and the Commission agree that it is appropriate to establish a shorter time limit on a permanent basis for some types of urgent implementing measures on which a decision must be taken within a shorter period of time in the interests of sound management. This applies in particular to some types of measure relating to external action, including humanitarian and emergency aid, to health and safety protection, to transport security and safety and to exemptions from public procurement rules. An agreement between the Member of the Commission and the Chair of the parliamentary committee responsible will lay down the types of measure concerned and the applicable time limits. Such an agreement may be revoked at any time by either side.

| 11. | Without prejudice to the cases referred to in paragraph 10, the time limit will be shorter in urgent cases and in the case of measures relating to day-to-day administrative matters and/or having a limited period of validity. That time limit may be very short in extremely urgent cases, in particular on public health grounds. The Member of the Commission responsible is to set the appropriate time limit and to state the reason for that time limit. The European Parliament may in such cases use a procedure whereby application of Article 8 of Decision 1999/468/EC is delegated to the parliamentary committee responsible, which may send a response to the Commission within the relevant time limit. |
| --- | --- |

11.

Without prejudice to the cases referred to in paragraph 10, the time limit will be shorter in urgent cases and in the case of measures relating to day-to-day administrative matters and/or having a limited period of validity. That time limit may be very short in extremely urgent cases, in particular on public health grounds. The Member of the Commission responsible is to set the appropriate time limit and to state the reason for that time limit. The European Parliament may in such cases use a procedure whereby application of Article 8 of Decision 1999/468/EC is delegated to the parliamentary committee responsible, which may send a response to the Commission within the relevant time limit.

| 12. | As soon as the Commission's services foresee that draft measures covered by paragraphs 10 and 11 might have to be submitted to a committee, they will informally warn the secretariat of the parliamentary committee or committees responsible thereof. As soon as initial draft measures have been submitted to the members of the committee, the Commission's services will notify the secretariat of the parliamentary committee or committees of their urgency and of the time limits that will apply once the final draft has been submitted. |
| --- | --- |

12.

As soon as the Commission's services foresee that draft measures covered by paragraphs 10 and 11 might have to be submitted to a committee, they will informally warn the secretariat of the parliamentary committee or committees responsible thereof. As soon as initial draft measures have been submitted to the members of the committee, the Commission's services will notify the secretariat of the parliamentary committee or committees of their urgency and of the time limits that will apply once the final draft has been submitted.

| 13. | Following the adoption by the European Parliament of a resolution as referred to in paragraph 8 or a response as referred to in paragraph 11, the Member of the Commission responsible is to inform the European Parliament or, where appropriate, the parliamentary committee responsible of the action the Commission intends to take thereon. |
| --- | --- |

13.

Following the adoption by the European Parliament of a resolution as referred to in paragraph 8 or a response as referred to in paragraph 11, the Member of the Commission responsible is to inform the European Parliament or, where appropriate, the parliamentary committee responsible of the action the Commission intends to take thereon.

| 14. | Data pursuant to paragraphs 10 to 13 will be entered in the register. |
| --- | --- |

14.

Data pursuant to paragraphs 10 to 13 will be entered in the register.

Regulatory procedure with scrutiny

| 15. | Where the regulatory procedure with scrutiny applies, and following the vote in the committee, the Commission will inform the European Parliament of the applicable time limits. Subject to paragraph 16, these time limits will start to run only once the European Parliament has received all language versions. |
| --- | --- |

15.

Where the regulatory procedure with scrutiny applies, and following the vote in the committee, the Commission will inform the European Parliament of the applicable time limits. Subject to paragraph 16, these time limits will start to run only once the European Parliament has received all language versions.

| 16. | Where shorter time limits apply (Article 5a(5)(b) of Decision 1999/468/EC) and in cases of urgency (Article 5a(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC), the time limits shall start to run from the date of receipt by the European Parliament of the final draft implementing measures in the language versions submitted to the members of the committee, unless the Chair of the parliamentary committee objects. In any event, the Commission will endeavour to forward all language versions to the European Parliament as soon as possible. As soon as the Commission's services foresee that draft measures covered by Article 5a(5)(b) or (6) might have to be submitted to a committee, they will informally warn the secretariat of the parliamentary committee or committees responsible thereof. |
| --- | --- |

16.

Where shorter time limits apply (Article 5a(5)(b) of Decision 1999/468/EC) and in cases of urgency (Article 5a(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC), the time limits shall start to run from the date of receipt by the European Parliament of the final draft implementing measures in the language versions submitted to the members of the committee, unless the Chair of the parliamentary committee objects. In any event, the Commission will endeavour to forward all language versions to the European Parliament as soon as possible. As soon as the Commission's services foresee that draft measures covered by Article 5a(5)(b) or (6) might have to be submitted to a committee, they will informally warn the secretariat of the parliamentary committee or committees responsible thereof.

Financial services

| 17. | In accordance with its statement on Article 7(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC, in respect of financial services the Commission undertakes to:






  — | ensure that the Commission official chairing a committee meeting informs the European Parliament, at its request, after each meeting, of any discussions concerning draft implementing measures that have been submitted to that committee, |
| --- | --- | --- |

17.

In accordance with its statement on Article 7(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC, in respect of financial services the Commission undertakes to:

—

ensure that the Commission official chairing a committee meeting informs the European Parliament, at its request, after each meeting, of any discussions concerning draft implementing measures that have been submitted to that committee,

| — | give an oral or written reply to any questions regarding discussions concerning draft implementing measures submitted to a committee. |
| --- | --- |

—

give an oral or written reply to any questions regarding discussions concerning draft implementing measures submitted to a committee.

Finally, the Commission will ensure that the undertakings made at Parliament's plenary sitting of 5 February 2002 (7) and restated at its plenary sitting of 31 March 2004 (8) and those referred to in points 1 to 7 of the letter of 2 October 2001 (9) from Commissioner Bolkestein to the Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs are honoured in respect of the entire financial services sector (including securities, banks, insurance, pensions and accounting).

Calendar of parliamentary work

| 18. | Except where shorter time limits apply or in cases of urgency, the Commission will take into account, when transmitting draft implementing measures under this Agreement, the European Parliament's periods of recess (winter, summer and European elections) in order to ensure that Parliament is able to exercise its prerogatives within the time limits laid down in Decision 1999/468/EC and this Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

18.

Except where shorter time limits apply or in cases of urgency, the Commission will take into account, when transmitting draft implementing measures under this Agreement, the European Parliament's periods of recess (winter, summer and European elections) in order to ensure that Parliament is able to exercise its prerogatives within the time limits laid down in Decision 1999/468/EC and this Agreement.

Cooperation between the European Parliament and the Commission

| 19. | The two institutions express their readiness to assist each other in order to ensure full cooperation when dealing with specific implementing measures. To this effect, appropriate contacts at administrative level will be established. |
| --- | --- |

19.

The two institutions express their readiness to assist each other in order to ensure full cooperation when dealing with specific implementing measures. To this effect, appropriate contacts at administrative level will be established.

Preceding agreements

| 20. | The 2000 Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission on procedures for implementing Council Decision 1999/468/EC (10) is hereby replaced. The European Parliament and the Commission consider the following agreements superseded and thus of no effect in so far as they are concerned: the 1988 Plumb/Delors Agreement, the 1996 Samland/Williamson Agreement and the 1994 modus vivendi
   (11). |
| --- | --- |

20.

The 2000 Agreement between the European Parliament and the Commission on procedures for implementing Council Decision 1999/468/EC (10) is hereby replaced. The European Parliament and the Commission consider the following agreements superseded and thus of no effect in so far as they are concerned: the 1988 Plumb/Delors Agreement, the 1996 Samland/Williamson Agreement and the 1994 modus vivendi
   (11).

Done at Brussels, 3 June 2008.

For the European Parliament

The President

Image

Hans-Gert PÖTTERING

For the Commission of the European Communities

The President

Image

José Manuel DURÃO BARROSO

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(1)  OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

1

(2)  Throughout this Agreement, the word ‘committee’ shall be taken to refer to committees established in accordance with Decision 1999/468/EC, except where it is specified that another committee is referred to.

2

(3)  The target date for the establishment of the register is 31 March 2008.

3

(4)  OJ C 171, 22.7.2006, p. 21.

4

(5)  See the judgment of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities of 19 July 1999 in Case T-188/97, Rothmans v Commission [1999] ECR II-2463.

5

Rothmans

Commission

(6)  OJ C 121, 24.4.2001, p. 122.

6

(7)  OJ C 284 E, 21.11.2002, p. 19.

7

(8)  OJ C 103 E, 29.4.2004, p. 446 and Verbatim Report of Proceedings (CRE) for Parliament's plenary sitting of 31 March 2004, under ‘Vote’.

8

(9)  OJ C 284 E, 21.11.2002, p. 83.

9

(10)  OJ L 256, 10.10.2000, p. 19.

10

(11)  OJ C 102, 4.4.1996, p. 1.

11

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INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/5

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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 143/02)

| Date of adoption of the decision | 9.1.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | N 237/07 |
| Member State | Spain |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Incentivos mineros a empresas de la minería no energética para el programa de investigación, desarrollo e innovación tecnológica |
| Legal basis | Convocatoria de subvenciones públicas destinadas a la concesión de incentivos mineros a empresas de minería no energética para la I+D+i y medio ambiente |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Research and development |
| Form of aid | Direct grant |
| Budget | Overall budget: EUR 0,765 million |
| Intensity | 70 % |
| Duration | Until 31.12.2008 |
| Economic sectors | Mining and quarrying |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Junta de Castilla-León |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

9.1.2008

Reference number of the aid

N 237/07

Member State

Spain

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Incentivos mineros a empresas de la minería no energética para el programa de investigación, desarrollo e innovación tecnológica

Legal basis

Convocatoria de subvenciones públicas destinadas a la concesión de incentivos mineros a empresas de minería no energética para la I+D+i y medio ambiente

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Research and development

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Overall budget: EUR 0,765 million

Intensity

70 %

Duration

Until 31.12.2008

Economic sectors

Mining and quarrying

Name and address of the granting authority

Junta de Castilla-León

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 | 5.2.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | N 766/07 |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | Piemonte |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Concessione ed erogazione di contributo per interventi dimostrativi in materia energetico-ambientale — proroga |
| Legal basis | D.G.R. 23-12920 del 5 luglio 2004 e D.G.R. 94-1646 del 28.11.2005 DDGR nn. 22-6889, 23-6890 del 17.9.2007 e 67-7436 del 12.11.2007 (atti con cui si procede alla proroga) |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Environmental protection |
| Form of aid | Direct grant, Interest subsidy |
| Budget | Annual budget: EUR 13 million
  Overall budget: EUR 26 million |
| Intensity | 50 % |
| Duration | 1.1.2008-31.12.2009 |
| Economic sectors | All sectors |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Giunta regionale, Piemonte |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

5.2.2008

Reference number of the aid

N 766/07

Member State

Italy

Region

Piemonte

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Concessione ed erogazione di contributo per interventi dimostrativi in materia energetico-ambientale — proroga

Legal basis

D.G.R. 23-12920 del 5 luglio 2004 e D.G.R. 94-1646 del 28.11.2005 DDGR nn. 22-6889, 23-6890 del 17.9.2007 e 67-7436 del 12.11.2007 (atti con cui si procede alla proroga)

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Environmental protection

Form of aid

Direct grant, Interest subsidy

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 13 million

Overall budget: EUR 26 million

Intensity

50 %

Duration

1.1.2008-31.12.2009

Economic sectors

All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority

Giunta regionale, Piemonte

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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| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/7

---

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 143/03)

| Date of adoption of the decision | 27.2.2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of the aid | E 8/06 |
| Member State | Belgium |
| Region | Vlaamse Gemeenschap |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Financiering publieke omroep VRT |
| Legal basis | Decreten betreffende de radio-omroep en de televisie, gecoördineerd op 4 maart 2005
  Beheersovereenkomst 2007-2011 tussen de Vlaamse Gemeenschap en de VRT van 20 juli 2006 |
| Type of measure | Individual aid |
| Objective | Services of general economic interest |
| Form of aid | Direct grant |
| Budget | Annual budget: EUR 300 million
  Overall budget: EUR 1 500 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration | 2007-2011 |
| Economic sectors | Media |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Vlaamse Gemeenschap |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

27.2.2008

Reference number of the aid

E 8/06

Member State

Belgium

Region

Vlaamse Gemeenschap

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Financiering publieke omroep VRT

Legal basis

Decreten betreffende de radio-omroep en de televisie, gecoördineerd op 4 maart 2005

Beheersovereenkomst 2007-2011 tussen de Vlaamse Gemeenschap en de VRT van 20 juli 2006

Type of measure

Individual aid

Objective

Services of general economic interest

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 300 million

Overall budget: EUR 1 500 million

Intensity

—

Duration

2007-2011

Economic sectors

Media

Name and address of the granting authority

Vlaamse Gemeenschap

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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| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/8

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.5122 — ArcelorMittal/Borusan)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 143/04)

On 3 June 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 32008M5122. 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 32008M5122. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

---

| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/8

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.5090 — ČEZ/MOL/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 143/05)

On 13 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 32008M5090. 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 32008M5090. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Council

| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/9

---

Conclusions of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010

(2008/C 143/06)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

| 1. | Recalling the objectives assigned to the European Community in the field of culture by Article 151 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Recalling the objectives assigned to the European Community in the field of culture by Article 151 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

| 2. | Acknowledging that the first Council Work Plan for Culture 2002-2004 was an important step towards more structured working procedures, and that the second Work Plan for Culture 2005-2006, which was extended until the end of 2007, has further strengthened the aspiration towards a practical, focused and result-oriented approach. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Acknowledging that the first Council Work Plan for Culture 2002-2004 was an important step towards more structured working procedures, and that the second Work Plan for Culture 2005-2006, which was extended until the end of 2007, has further strengthened the aspiration towards a practical, focused and result-oriented approach.

| 3. | Having regard to the Commission's Communication of 10 May 2007 on a European Agenda for Culture in a Globalizing World (1) that represents an important step towards further developing cooperation in the cultural field and increasing the coherence and visibility of European action in this field. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Having regard to the Commission's Communication of 10 May 2007 on a European Agenda for Culture in a Globalizing World (1) that represents an important step towards further developing cooperation in the cultural field and increasing the coherence and visibility of European action in this field.

| 4. | Having regard to the Council Resolution of 16 November 2007 on a European Agenda for Culture (2) endorsing priority areas of action for the period 2008-2010 in the context of the strategic objectives of the European Agenda for Culture. |
| --- | --- |

4.

Having regard to the Council Resolution of 16 November 2007 on a European Agenda for Culture (2) endorsing priority areas of action for the period 2008-2010 in the context of the strategic objectives of the European Agenda for Culture.

| 5. | Having regard to the introduction of the open method of coordination by the Council Resolution of 16 November 2007 as an overall new way of cooperation in the field of culture that provides a flexible and non-binding framework and fosters exchanges of best practices. |
| --- | --- |

5.

Having regard to the introduction of the open method of coordination by the Council Resolution of 16 November 2007 as an overall new way of cooperation in the field of culture that provides a flexible and non-binding framework and fosters exchanges of best practices.

| 6. | Having regard to the five priority areas of action as defined in the above Council Resolution, which should guide the setting of policy priorities for the period of 2008-2010, while fully respecting the prerogatives of the European Commission. |
| --- | --- |

6.

Having regard to the five priority areas of action as defined in the above Council Resolution, which should guide the setting of policy priorities for the period of 2008-2010, while fully respecting the prerogatives of the European Commission.

AGREE:

| — | to pursue under each priority area the activities listed in Annex I, which can be reviewed in order to better focus on concrete results, |
| --- | --- |

—

to pursue under each priority area the activities listed in Annex I, which can be reviewed in order to better focus on concrete results,

| — | to establish working groups composed of experts from Member States on the basis of the principles and mandates defined in Annex I and II and to follow their work, |
| --- | --- |

—

to establish working groups composed of experts from Member States on the basis of the principles and mandates defined in Annex I and II and to follow their work,

| — | to invite each Presidency to build on the achievements of the Work Plan as well as to report on the implementation of the latter, |
| --- | --- |

—

to invite each Presidency to build on the achievements of the Work Plan as well as to report on the implementation of the latter,

| — | to invite the Member States and the Commission to regularly consult the stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Work Plan to ensure the relevance and visibility of the activities, |
| --- | --- |

—

to invite the Member States and the Commission to regularly consult the stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Work Plan to ensure the relevance and visibility of the activities,

| — | to invite the Commission, in consultation with and on the basis of voluntary contributions from Member States, to report on developments both at mid-term and at the end of the period covered by the Work Plan. |
| --- | --- |

—

to invite the Commission, in consultation with and on the basis of voluntary contributions from Member States, to report on developments both at mid-term and at the end of the period covered by the Work Plan.

WELCOME:

| | The intention of the Commission to support Member States' actions in implementing the Work Plan as set out in Annex I. |
| --- | --- |

The intention of the Commission to support Member States' actions in implementing the Work Plan as set out in Annex I.

---

(1)  Doc. 9496/07 and ADD 1.

(2)  OJ C 287, 29.11.2007, p. 1.

---

ANNEX I

WORK PLAN FOR CULTURE 2008-2010

Priority 1:   Improving the conditions for the mobility of artists and other professionals in the cultural field

| Initiatives | Time frame | Objectives |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Member States: | | |
| Setting up a working group on the mobility of artists and other professionals in the cultural field comprising MS' experts (1) | March 2008 to end 2010 (about 3 meetings a year) | Focussing particularly on the mobility of artists and other cultural professionals, inter alia in the field of performing arts, this working group will consider, report and make recommendations (including in the form of validating best practices, making proposals for cooperation initiatives between Member States or at EC level and for elements of methodology to evaluate progress), as appropriate, on the following areas:






  — | mapping the existing practices in each Member State in order to make it possible to suggest ways of improving the regulatory conditions and related administrative processes for mobility, |

Initiatives

Time frame

Objectives

Member States:

Setting up a working group on the mobility of artists and other professionals in the cultural field comprising MS' experts (1)

March 2008 to end 2010 (about 3 meetings a year)

Focussing particularly on the mobility of artists and other cultural professionals, inter alia in the field of performing arts, this working group will consider, report and make recommendations (including in the form of validating best practices, making proposals for cooperation initiatives between Member States or at EC level and for elements of methodology to evaluate progress), as appropriate, on the following areas:

—

mapping the existing practices in each Member State in order to make it possible to suggest ways of improving the regulatory conditions and related administrative processes for mobility,

| — | suggesting solutions at the national and Community levels regarding the inclusion of mobility (in and outside Europe) in the professional training curricula of artists and culture professionals, |
| --- | --- |

—

suggesting solutions at the national and Community levels regarding the inclusion of mobility (in and outside Europe) in the professional training curricula of artists and culture professionals,

| — | ensuring the collection of and access to the relevant information on the conditions for mobility in Europe (tax, social, entry and residence conditions in different Member States), |
| --- | --- |

—

ensuring the collection of and access to the relevant information on the conditions for mobility in Europe (tax, social, entry and residence conditions in different Member States),

| — | reinforcing regional, national and Community-level support mechanisms for mobility and ensuring their complementarity |
| --- | --- |

—

reinforcing regional, national and Community-level support mechanisms for mobility and ensuring their complementarity

Commission:

Study on the mobility of cultural workers in Europe

October 2008

Provide overview and typology of existing mobility schemes for cultural workers at national/regional and local level in the EU Member States, analyse their impact and efficiency and potential gaps, and make recommendations on ways to enhance support to mobility at EU level.

Feasibility study for a comprehensive scheme designed to provide a European wide system of information on mobility in the cultural sector

Phase I (Interim report: mapping of existing schemes), October 2008

Phase II (Final report: recommendations), end 2008

Provide overview of existing information schemes on legal, regulatory, procedural and financial aspects to mobility at national level, analyse potential gaps, and make recommendations for a comprehensive information system at European level

Priority 2:   Promoting access to culture, in particular through the promotion of cultural heritage, multilingualism, digitisation, cultural tourism, synergies with education, especially art education, and greater mobility of collections

| Initiatives | Time frame | Objectives |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mobility of collections |
| Member States: | | |
| Setting up a working group for the mobility of collections and activities of museums comprising MS' experts (2) | June 2008 to end 2010 (2 to 3 meetings a year) | Building on the work of the six groups established in the framework of the Action Plan for the EU Promotion of Museum Collections' Mobility and Loan Standards (3), this working group will consider, report and make recommendations (including in the form of validating best practices, making proposals for cooperation initiatives between Member States or at EC level and for elements of methodology to evaluate progress), as appropriate, on the following areas:






  — | proposing incentive mechanisms for the mobility of collections, including long-term loans (e.g. indemnity, digitisation, non-insurance, expert meetings, comparison of valuation systems for collections, building up trust), |

Initiatives

Time frame

Objectives

Mobility of collections

Member States:

Setting up a working group for the mobility of collections and activities of museums comprising MS' experts (2)

June 2008 to end 2010 (2 to 3 meetings a year)

Building on the work of the six groups established in the framework of the Action Plan for the EU Promotion of Museum Collections' Mobility and Loan Standards (3), this working group will consider, report and make recommendations (including in the form of validating best practices, making proposals for cooperation initiatives between Member States or at EC level and for elements of methodology to evaluate progress), as appropriate, on the following areas:

—

proposing incentive mechanisms for the mobility of collections, including long-term loans (e.g. indemnity, digitisation, non-insurance, expert meetings, comparison of valuation systems for collections, building up trust),

| — | studying possibilities of eliminating barriers to the mobility of collections that still persist in relevant legal and administrative frameworks at national level (e.g. insurance matters, lack of immunity from seizure, |
| --- | --- |

—

studying possibilities of eliminating barriers to the mobility of collections that still persist in relevant legal and administrative frameworks at national level (e.g. insurance matters, lack of immunity from seizure,

| — | comparing national laws on museums or equivalent in order to promote access to culture, |
| --- | --- |

—

comparing national laws on museums or equivalent in order to promote access to culture,

| — | exchanging best practices in the prevention of theft, return of stolen goods, trafficking of collections and examining ways of improvement, including by applying the relevant Community law (4), etc., |
| --- | --- |

—

exchanging best practices in the prevention of theft, return of stolen goods, trafficking of collections and examining ways of improvement, including by applying the relevant Community law (4), etc.,

| — | exchanging best practices on promoting access to museums |
| --- | --- |

—

exchanging best practices on promoting access to museums

Synergies with education, especially art education

Member States:

Pursuing stronger synergies between culture and education in the framework of a working group to be convened as soon as possible (5)

June 2008 to end 2010 (2 to 3 meetings a year)

Building on the work of the network of civil servants on arts and cultural education, the working group will consider, report and make recommendations (including in the form of validating best practices, making proposals for cooperation initiatives between Member States or EC level and for elements of methodology to evaluate progress), as appropriate, on the following areas:

| — | policies aimed at promoting synergies between culture and education, including arts in education, and the development of projects, in order to implement the key competence ‘Cultural awareness and expression’ (6), |
| --- | --- |

—

policies aimed at promoting synergies between culture and education, including arts in education, and the development of projects, in order to implement the key competence ‘Cultural awareness and expression’ (6),

| — | exchange of best practices on activities and structures at regional, national, and local level to promote arts and cultural education, either formal (as an integrated part of school curricula), non-formal or informal |
| --- | --- |

—

exchange of best practices on activities and structures at regional, national, and local level to promote arts and cultural education, either formal (as an integrated part of school curricula), non-formal or informal

Digitisation

Member States/Commission:

Continuation of the ongoing work in the field of digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material, and digital preservation, including audiovisual aspects (7)

2008 onwards (launch of a prototype library, end 2008)

Setting up of a common European digital library, i.e. a common multilingual access point to the different collections in Europe's libraries, archives and museums

Multilingualism

Commission/Member States:

Communication on multilingualism

September 2008

European strategy for multilingualism (to be developed, with the inclusion of cultural aspects, in conjunction with other relevant sectors, in particular education).

Study on the contribution of multilingualism to creativity

First half of 2009

Demonstrate the contribution of multilingualism to creativity and provide input to the debate on the European Year of Creativity 2009

Intercultural Dialogue

Member States/Commission:

Implementation of the European Year of intercultural Dialogue

2008

In close cooperation with the relevant national coordination bodies, implementation of the objectives of the Year and a follow-up as a contribution to a sustainable strategy, including development of a cross-sectoral approach to intercultural competences

Follow-up to the Year

2009-2010

Cultural tourism/cultural heritage

Member States:

Promoting cultural heritage through new synergies with cultural tourism-related multilateral projects

Contributing to the Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism (8) focussing in particular on cultural tourism and the promotion of cultural heritage, including intangible heritage

Access of young people to culture

Commission:

Study on access of young people to culture

Second half of 2009

Identify obstacles to the access of young people to culture as well as good practices in making this access easier

Priority 3:   Developing data, statistics and methodologies in the cultural sector and improve their comparability

| Initiatives | Time frame | Objectives |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Commission/Member States: | | |
| Eurostat [will] (9) re-launch the activities of the statistical working group on culture.
  It [will] work closely with a small group of interested Member States on extending methodologies and pilot surveys, for the benefit of all the Member States | Before end 2008 | Developing data production on the basis of a coordinated statistical system on culture and studying the possibility of adapting or developing existing methods to cover new needs and fields |

Initiatives

Time frame

Objectives

Commission/Member States:

Eurostat [will] (9) re-launch the activities of the statistical working group on culture.

It [will] work closely with a small group of interested Member States on extending methodologies and pilot surveys, for the benefit of all the Member States

Before end 2008

Developing data production on the basis of a coordinated statistical system on culture and studying the possibility of adapting or developing existing methods to cover new needs and fields

Priority 4:   Maximising the potential of cultural and creative industries, in particular that of SMEs

| Initiatives | Time frame | Objectives |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Member States: | | |
| Setting up a working group on cultural and creative industries comprising MS' experts (10) | April 2008 to end 2010 (about 3 meetings a year) | This working group is invited to consider, report and make recommendations (including in the form of validating and disseminating best practices, taking into account new technologies, making proposals for cooperation initiatives between Member States or at EC level and for elements of methodology to evaluate progress), as appropriate, on the following areas:






  — | identification of national strategies and producing an inventory of the existing national measures aiming to create an environment conducive to the establishment and development of creative and cultural industries (e.g. access to investment, access of SMEs to finance and bank guarantees, networking, strengthening the position of SMEs within hubs of competitiveness, fiscal aspects, promotion of exports, intellectual property issues, in particular in the context of the development of new technologies, |

Initiatives

Time frame

Objectives

Member States:

Setting up a working group on cultural and creative industries comprising MS' experts (10)

April 2008 to end 2010 (about 3 meetings a year)

This working group is invited to consider, report and make recommendations (including in the form of validating and disseminating best practices, taking into account new technologies, making proposals for cooperation initiatives between Member States or at EC level and for elements of methodology to evaluate progress), as appropriate, on the following areas:

—

identification of national strategies and producing an inventory of the existing national measures aiming to create an environment conducive to the establishment and development of creative and cultural industries (e.g. access to investment, access of SMEs to finance and bank guarantees, networking, strengthening the position of SMEs within hubs of competitiveness, fiscal aspects, promotion of exports, intellectual property issues, in particular in the context of the development of new technologies,

| — | training of professionals of the culture sector (managerial competences, entrepreneurship, knowledge of the European dimension/market activities), |
| --- | --- |

—

training of professionals of the culture sector (managerial competences, entrepreneurship, knowledge of the European dimension/market activities),

| — | the impact of cultural and creative industries, including cultural tourism, in local and regional development, |
| --- | --- |

—

the impact of cultural and creative industries, including cultural tourism, in local and regional development,

| — | the impact of, amongst others, European Regional Policy measures and financial instruments on capacity building and entrepreneurship in the fields of cultural and creative industries, |
| --- | --- |

—

the impact of, amongst others, European Regional Policy measures and financial instruments on capacity building and entrepreneurship in the fields of cultural and creative industries,

| — | proposing possible new ways and means to promote cultural and creative industries at the Community level |
| --- | --- |

—

proposing possible new ways and means to promote cultural and creative industries at the Community level

Commission:

Study on the contribution of culture to creativity

February 2009

Further explore the notion of creativity and have a better understanding of the effective and concrete contribution of culture to creativity and innovation as well as of the ways to measure the links between them.

Study on the entrepreneurial dimension of cultural and creative industries

September 2009

Better understand the functioning and specific needs of cultural and creative industries, in particular SMEs, as well as the environmental factors that have an impact on their development.

Study on the contribution of culture to local and regional economic development

Second half 2009

Analyse the socio-economic impact of investment in culture at the sub-national levels.

Green Paper on cultural and creative industries

December 2009

Kick off a debate on the best ways to unlock the potential of cultural and creative industries in Europe

Priority 5:   Promoting and implementing the Unesco Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

| Initiatives | Time frame | Objectives |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Implementation | Ongoing | |
| Member States/Commission: | |
| Coordination of EU positions in meetings regarding the implementation of the Convention on the basis of the code of conduct | Protection and promotion of EU positions and interests within the governing bodies of the Convention, as well as other international frameworks. |
| Member States: | |
| Implementation of the Convention and inclusion of its objectives in relevant national policies | Implementation of the Convention at national and Community level leading to better integration of its objectives in relevant policies |
| Commission: |
| Inter-service group on Culture to ensure implementation of the Convention and the mainstreaming of its objectives in Community policies |
| Promotion | | |
| Member States: | | |
| Promotion of the ratification of the Convention and of the objectives of the Convention in relations with third countries. Exchange of experiences on cultural cooperation with third countries | Ongoing | Promotion of the Convention at the international level |
| Meetings of senior government officials in the field of culture, including the meetings of Directors General of Culture in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs | Agenda driven | Exchange of views and possible recommendations on the promotion of culture inside the EU and in its external relations, and cooperation between EU Member States' cultural institutions and with their counterparts in third countries |
| Commission: |
| Systematic promotion of the Convention in dialogue with third countries |

Initiatives

Time frame

Objectives

Implementation

Ongoing

Member States/Commission:

Coordination of EU positions in meetings regarding the implementation of the Convention on the basis of the code of conduct

Protection and promotion of EU positions and interests within the governing bodies of the Convention, as well as other international frameworks.

Member States:

Implementation of the Convention and inclusion of its objectives in relevant national policies

Implementation of the Convention at national and Community level leading to better integration of its objectives in relevant policies

Commission:

Inter-service group on Culture to ensure implementation of the Convention and the mainstreaming of its objectives in Community policies

Promotion

Member States:

Promotion of the ratification of the Convention and of the objectives of the Convention in relations with third countries. Exchange of experiences on cultural cooperation with third countries

Ongoing

Promotion of the Convention at the international level

Meetings of senior government officials in the field of culture, including the meetings of Directors General of Culture in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs

Agenda driven

Exchange of views and possible recommendations on the promotion of culture inside the EU and in its external relations, and cooperation between EU Member States' cultural institutions and with their counterparts in third countries

Commission:

Systematic promotion of the Convention in dialogue with third countries

---

(1)  The principles relating to the setting up and functioning of the working groups can be found in Annex II.

(2)  The principles relating to the setting up and functioning of the working groups can be found in Annex II.

(3)  See doc. 14721/06.

(4)  In particular, Council Directive 93/7/EEC of 15 March 1993 on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State (OJ L 74, 27.3.1993) and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3911/92 of 9 December 1992 on the export of cultural goods (OJ L 395, 31.12.1992).

(5)  The principles relating to the setting up and functioning of the working groups can be found in Annex II.

(6)  In line inter alia with the objectives of the proposed European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.

(7)  See Council Conclusions of 15 November 2006 (OJ C 297, 7.12.2006, p. 1).

(8)  Endorsed by the European Council on 14 December 2007, doc. 16616/07.

(9)  In brackets as the final decision has not yet been taken by Eurostat.

(10)  The principles relating to the setting up and functioning of the working groups can be found in Annex II.

---

ANNEX II

Working groups to be set up in implementation of the Council Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010

Principles relating to the setting up and functioning of the working groups

| — | The participation of Member States in the work of the groups is voluntary and Member States can join them at any moment. |
| --- | --- |

—

The participation of Member States in the work of the groups is voluntary and Member States can join them at any moment.

| — | Each Member State interested in participating in the work of the working groups will nominate an expert as a member of a working group. The expert should ideally have a mix of operational and policy experience in the relevant field at a national level. Member States can invite other experts or officials to attend the meetings of the working groups as observers. |
| --- | --- |

—

Each Member State interested in participating in the work of the working groups will nominate an expert as a member of a working group. The expert should ideally have a mix of operational and policy experience in the relevant field at a national level. Member States can invite other experts or officials to attend the meetings of the working groups as observers.

| — | Each working group can decide to invite experts from other fields to contribute to the work of the group as deemed necessary. |
| --- | --- |

—

Each working group can decide to invite experts from other fields to contribute to the work of the group as deemed necessary.

| — | The working groups will be responsible for deciding which Member State or Member States, among those who have expressed their wish to do so, will be chairing the groups. |
| --- | --- |

—

The working groups will be responsible for deciding which Member State or Member States, among those who have expressed their wish to do so, will be chairing the groups.

| — | The functioning of these groups will be entirely transparent so that all Member States are kept duly informed of the work of the groups, irrespective of their degree of participation in a given area. The chairs of the working groups will regularly (once per Presidency) report to the Cultural Affairs Committee on the progress of work in the respective working groups. The Cultural Affairs Committee will be given an opportunity to give guidance to the working groups in order to guarantee the desired outcome and the coordination of the groups' work. |
| --- | --- |

—

The functioning of these groups will be entirely transparent so that all Member States are kept duly informed of the work of the groups, irrespective of their degree of participation in a given area. The chairs of the working groups will regularly (once per Presidency) report to the Cultural Affairs Committee on the progress of work in the respective working groups. The Cultural Affairs Committee will be given an opportunity to give guidance to the working groups in order to guarantee the desired outcome and the coordination of the groups' work.

| — | The working groups will submit a mid-term report by July 2009 on the work carried out thus far, which will feed into the final report on the implementation of the Council Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010. |
| --- | --- |

—

The working groups will submit a mid-term report by July 2009 on the work carried out thus far, which will feed into the final report on the implementation of the Council Work Plan for Culture 2008-2010.

| — | The Commission will support the work of the working groups by launching studies relevant to their field of work and it will provide logistical and secretarial support to the work of the groups. |
| --- | --- |

—

The Commission will support the work of the working groups by launching studies relevant to their field of work and it will provide logistical and secretarial support to the work of the groups.

---

Commission

| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/17 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/17

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

9 June 2008

(2008/C 143/07)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,5784 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 166,76 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4599 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,79740 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,3480 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,6103 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 118,93 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,9370 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,653 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 247,20 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7028 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,3848 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 3,6795 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 30,338 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,9640 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6414 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,6136 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 12,3246 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 2,0563 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 2,1494 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 630,49 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 12,4200 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,9273 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,2488 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 734,36 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 5,1503 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 69,450 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 37,1536 |
| THB | Thai baht | 52,584 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,5745 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 16,3838 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,5784

JPY

Japanese yen

166,76

DKK

Danish krone

7,4599

GBP

Pound sterling

0,79740

SEK

Swedish krona

9,3480

CHF

Swiss franc

1,6103

ISK

Iceland króna

118,93

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,9370

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,653

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

247,20

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7028

PLN

Polish zloty

3,3848

RON

Romanian leu

3,6795

SKK

Slovak koruna

30,338

TRY

Turkish lira

1,9640

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6414

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,6136

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

12,3246

NZD

New Zealand dollar

2,0563

SGD

Singapore dollar

2,1494

KRW

South Korean won

1 630,49

ZAR

South African rand

12,4200

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,9273

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,2488

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 734,36

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

5,1503

PHP

Philippine peso

69,450

RUB

Russian rouble

37,1536

THB

Thai baht

52,584

BRL

Brazilian real

2,5745

MXN

Mexican peso

16,3838

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(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/18 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/18

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Commission notice pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92

Amendment of public service obligations imposed on certain scheduled air services within Portugal

(2008/C 143/08)

| 1. | Pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, Portugal has decided to amend the public service obligation imposed in respect of scheduled air services operated on the route Lisbon-Vila Real-Bragança-Vila Real-Lisbon. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, Portugal has decided to amend the public service obligation imposed in respect of scheduled air services operated on the route Lisbon-Vila Real-Bragança-Vila Real-Lisbon.

| 2. | The public service obligations are as follows:






  — | Minimum frequency:

  Two return flights a day from Monday to Friday.
  If there is a high demand for services, flights could also be operated at weekends. |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The public service obligations are as follows:

—

Minimum frequency:

Two return flights a day from Monday to Friday.

If there is a high demand for services, flights could also be operated at weekends.

| — | Timetables:

  The operating conditions at Bragança and Vila Real aerodromes must be complied with.
  Passengers must be able to make a round trip between Bragança and Lisbon the same day with a stay of at least five hours in winter and seven hours in summer. |
| --- | --- |

—

Timetables:

The operating conditions at Bragança and Vila Real aerodromes must be complied with.

Passengers must be able to make a round trip between Bragança and Lisbon the same day with a stay of at least five hours in winter and seven hours in summer.

| — | Type and capacity of aircraft used:

  Twin-engined turbofan aircraft which meet the performance requirements contained in Decree-Law No 289/2003 of 14 November 2003, for Bragança and Vila Real aerodromes (1). |
| --- | --- |

—

Type and capacity of aircraft used:

Twin-engined turbofan aircraft which meet the performance requirements contained in Decree-Law No 289/2003 of 14 November 2003, for Bragança and Vila Real aerodromes (1).

| — | Fares:

  A fully flexible return fare, and a range of special fares with special conditions adapted to demand (e.g. excursion, groups, events, etc.) must be offered for each of the following routes:






  — | Lisbon-Bragança, |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Fares:

A fully flexible return fare, and a range of special fares with special conditions adapted to demand (e.g. excursion, groups, events, etc.) must be offered for each of the following routes:

—

Lisbon-Bragança,

| — | Lisbon-Vila Real, |
| --- | --- |

—

Lisbon-Vila Real,

| — | Bragança-Vila Real. |
| --- | --- |

—

Bragança-Vila Real.

| — | Continuity of service:

  Except in cases of force majeure, the number of flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the carrier must not exceed 3 % of the number of flights scheduled in any IATA scheduling season.
  Except in cases of force majeure, delays of more than 15 minutes directly attributable to the carrier may not affect more than 15 % of the flights.
  Scheduled services must be guaranteed throughout at least one calendar year and, except in the case mentioned above, may be suspended only with six months' notice. |
| --- | --- |

—

Continuity of service:

Except in cases of force majeure, the number of flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the carrier must not exceed 3 % of the number of flights scheduled in any IATA scheduling season.

Except in cases of force majeure, delays of more than 15 minutes directly attributable to the carrier may not affect more than 15 % of the flights.

Scheduled services must be guaranteed throughout at least one calendar year and, except in the case mentioned above, may be suspended only with six months' notice.

| — | Flight marketing:

  Flights must be marketed using at least one computerised reservation system. |
| --- | --- |

—

Flight marketing:

Flights must be marketed using at least one computerised reservation system.

| — | Crew:

  Given the special nature of these services, air carriers will have to demonstrate their capacity to operate the service in question with at least one cabin crew member who can speak and understand Portuguese. |
| --- | --- |

—

Crew:

Given the special nature of these services, air carriers will have to demonstrate their capacity to operate the service in question with at least one cabin crew member who can speak and understand Portuguese.

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(1)  See Aeronautical Information of Portugal (AIP) and the Civil Pilot Manual (MPC-Portugal) for details of operations at Lisbon airport and Bragança and Vila Real aerodromes.

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V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Commission

| 10.6.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/20

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P-Lisbon: Operation of scheduled air services

Invitation to tender issued by Portugal under Article 4(1)(d) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 in respect of the operation of scheduled air services for the route Lisbon-Vila Real-Bragança-Vila Real-Lisbon

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 143/09)

1.   Introduction: Pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, Portugal has decided to amend the public service obligation imposed in respect of scheduled air services operated on the route Lisbon-Vila Real-Bragança-Vila Real-Lisbon.

If on 15 September 2008 no air carrier has begun or is about to begin operating scheduled air services on the above-mentioned route in accordance with the public service obligation imposed and without requesting financial compensation, one air carrier will be selected by public tender, in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 4(1)(d) of the above-mentioned Regulation, which will be awarded the right to operate these services from 27 October 2008.

2.   Object of invitation to tender: Provision of scheduled air services on the above route from 27 October 2008 in accordance with the public service obligation as published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

3.   Participation: All air carriers holding a valid operating licence issued by a Member State in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992 on licensing of air carriers, and an appropriate air carrier's certificate may operate these services.

4.   Procedure: This invitation to tender is subject to the provisions of Article 4(1)(d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92.

5.   Tender dossier: The complete tender dossier, comprising the specific rules governing the invitation to tender, may be obtained at the price of EUR 100 from: Instituto Nacional da Aviação Civil I.P., Rua B, Edifícios 4, 5, e 6, Aeroporto da Portela 4, P-1749-034 Lisbon.

6.   Financial compensation: Tenders submitted must explicitly indicate the amount required by way of compensation for operating the service for three years from the scheduled starting date (with an annual breakdown). If the tenders include the operation of flights at weekends, these should not entail any increase in the financial contribution to be borne by the Member State. The financial impact resulting from the operation of flights at weekends (not to be borne by the Member State) will have to be duly explained and justified in the proposal of the tenderer. The exact amount of compensation finally granted will be determined annually ex post, on the basis of the proven costs and revenue actually generated by the service, up to the amount stated in the tender.

7.   Fares: Tenderers' bids must indicate the planned fares, which must be in accordance with the public service obligations published in Official Journal of the European Union.

8.   Duration, amendment and termination of contract: The contract will enter into force on 27 October 2008 and end after three years. The amount of the financial compensation may be revised in the event of unforeseen changes in operating conditions.

9.   Penalties: Should the carrier be unable to operate the service owing to force majeure, the amount of the financial compensation may be reduced in proportion to the flights not operated. If the carrier fails to operate the service for reasons other than force majeure or fails to fulfil the public service obligation, the Portuguese authorities may:

reduce the amount of the financial compensation in proportion to the flights not operated,

initiate legal proceedings under which fines and additional penalties provided for in the law might be applied,

apply contractual penalties,

terminate the contract, in compliance with Portuguese law, without prejudice to the situations provided for in the contract in this respect,

invoke the grounds for revocation provided for in Portuguese law and in the licensing contract.

10.   Submission of tenders:

| 1. | Bids must be submitted by 17.00 hours on the thirtieth day at the latest following publication of this invitation to tender in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Bids must be submitted by 17.00 hours on the thirtieth day at the latest following publication of this invitation to tender in the Official Journal of the European Union.

| 2. | Tenders and any accompanying documents may be delivered by hand — against receipt — to the headquarters of the Instituto Nacional de Aviação Civil I.P., Rua B, Edifícios 4, 5, e 6, Aeroporto da Portela 4, P-1749-034 Lisbon, between 9.00 and 17.00 hours, or sent by registered letter provided these are delivered by the date and time laid down in paragraph 1 above. The tenderer shall bear sole responsibility for late delivery. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Tenders and any accompanying documents may be delivered by hand — against receipt — to the headquarters of the Instituto Nacional de Aviação Civil I.P., Rua B, Edifícios 4, 5, e 6, Aeroporto da Portela 4, P-1749-034 Lisbon, between 9.00 and 17.00 hours, or sent by registered letter provided these are delivered by the date and time laid down in paragraph 1 above. The tenderer shall bear sole responsibility for late delivery.

11.   Validity of invitation to tender: In accordance with the first sentence of Article 4(1)(d) of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92, the validity of this invitation to tender is subject to the condition that no Community air carrier eligible to operate the service in question submits by 15 September 2008 an application to operate the routes in question as from 27 October 2008, in accordance with the public service obligation imposed, without receiving any financial compensation. Where one or more carriers apply, by 15 September 2008, to operate these services, satisfying the public service obligation and without requesting compensation, this invitation to tender will lapse.

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