# Official Journal C 137/4 Ju

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 137 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 484 June 2005 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 137

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 484 June 2005

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Information |
| | Council |
| 2005/C 137/1 | Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Monaco providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments | 1 |
| 2005/C 137/2 | Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Liechtenstein providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments | 1 |
| 2005/C 137/3 | Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments | 1 |
| | Commission |
| 2005/C 137/4 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| 2005/C 137/5 | Commission Decision declaring that the measure notified by the Slovak Republic, under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Act of Accession, is not applicable after accession (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2005/C 137/6 | Commission Decision declaring that the measure notified by the Czech Republic, under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Act of Accession, is not applicable after accession (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2005/C 137/7 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| 2005/C 137/8 | Information communicated by Member States regarding state aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2005/C 137/9 | Information communicated by Member States regarding state aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to state aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| 2005/C 137/0 | Notice concerning the safeguard measures imposed on imports of certain prepared or preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc.) by Commission Regulation (EC) No 658/2004 of 7 April 2004 | 11 |
| 2005/C 137/1 | Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin | 12 |
| 2005/C 137/2 | State aid — France — State aid No C 1/2005 (ex N 426/2004) — Restructuring of Euromoteurs — Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty (
  1
  ) | 16 |
| 2005/C 137/3 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M. 3778 — Böhler-Uddeholm/Buderus) (
  1
  ) | 20 |
| 2005/C 137/4 | Withdrawal of notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3808 — Mittal/Huta Stali Czestochowa) (
  1
  ) | 21 |
| 2005/C 137/5 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3747 — Rautaruukki/Wärtsilä/SKF/JV) (
  1
  ) | 22 |
| 2005/C 137/6 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3665 — ENEL/Slovenske Elektrarne) (
  1
  ) | 23 |
| 2005/C 137/7 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3772 — Aviva/RAC) (
  1
  ) | 24 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Information

Council

2005/C 137/1

Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Monaco providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments

1

2005/C 137/2

Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Liechtenstein providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments

1

2005/C 137/3

Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments

1

Commission

2005/C 137/4

Euro exchange rates

2

2005/C 137/5

Commission Decision declaring that the measure notified by the Slovak Republic, under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Act of Accession, is not applicable after accession (
  1
  )

1

3

2005/C 137/6

Commission Decision declaring that the measure notified by the Czech Republic, under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Act of Accession, is not applicable after accession (
  1
  )

1

4

2005/C 137/7

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

1

5

2005/C 137/8

Information communicated by Member States regarding state aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (
  1
  )

1

6

2005/C 137/9

Information communicated by Member States regarding state aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to state aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (
  1
  )

1

9

2005/C 137/0

Notice concerning the safeguard measures imposed on imports of certain prepared or preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc.) by Commission Regulation (EC) No 658/2004 of 7 April 2004

11

2005/C 137/1

Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

12

2005/C 137/2

State aid — France — State aid No C 1/2005 (ex N 426/2004) — Restructuring of Euromoteurs — Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty (
  1
  )

1

16

2005/C 137/3

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M. 3778 — Böhler-Uddeholm/Buderus) (
  1
  )

1

20

2005/C 137/4

Withdrawal of notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3808 — Mittal/Huta Stali Czestochowa) (
  1
  )

1

21

2005/C 137/5

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3747 — Rautaruukki/Wärtsilä/SKF/JV) (
  1
  )

1

22

2005/C 137/6

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3665 — ENEL/Slovenske Elektrarne) (
  1
  )

1

23

2005/C 137/7

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3772 — Aviva/RAC) (
  1
  )

1

24

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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I Information

Council

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/1

---

Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Monaco providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments

(2005/C 137/01)

The Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Monaco providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments will enter into force on 1 July 2005, the procedures provided for in Article 16 of the Agreement having been completed on 31 May 2005.

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| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/1

---

Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Liechtenstein providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments

(2005/C 137/02)

The Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Liechtenstein providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments will enter into force on 1 July 2005, the procedures provided for in Article 16 of the Agreement having been completed on 27 May 2005.

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| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/1

---

Information relating to the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments

(2005/C 137/03)

The Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments will enter into force on 1 July 2005, the procedures provided for in Article 17 of the Agreement having been completed on 13 May 2005.

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Commission

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

3 June 2005

(2005/C 137/04)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2289 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 132,57 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4399 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,67570 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,1410 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,5359 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 80,66 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,898 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9557 |
| CYP | Cyprus pound | 0,5747 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 30,174 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 250,63 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6959 |
| MTL | Maltese lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,1158 |
| ROL | Romanian leu | 36 150 |
| SIT | Slovenian tolar | 239,5 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 38,769 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,6793 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6241 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5311 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,5645 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7498 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 2,0493 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 238,12 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 8,3573 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,1710 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3248 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 772,86 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6698 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 67,006 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 34,850 |
| THB | Thai baht | 50,035 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2289

JPY

Japanese yen

132,57

DKK

Danish krone

7,4399

GBP

Pound sterling

0,67570

SEK

Swedish krona

9,1410

CHF

Swiss franc

1,5359

ISK

Iceland króna

80,66

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,898

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9557

CYP

Cyprus pound

0,5747

CZK

Czech koruna

30,174

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

250,63

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6959

MTL

Maltese lira

0,4293

PLN

Polish zloty

4,1158

ROL

Romanian leu

36 150

SIT

Slovenian tolar

239,5

SKK

Slovak koruna

38,769

TRY

Turkish lira

1,6793

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6241

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5311

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,5645

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7498

SGD

Singapore dollar

2,0493

KRW

South Korean won

1 238,12

ZAR

South African rand

8,3573

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,1710

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3248

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 772,86

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6698

PHP

Philippine peso

67,006

RUB

Russian rouble

34,850

THB

Thai baht

50,035

---

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/3

---

Commission Decision declaring that the measure notified by the Slovak Republic, under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Act of Accession, is not applicable after accession

(2005/C 137/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Slovak Republic

Aid No: SK 75/2003

Title: Slovenská Sporiteľňa, a.s.

Objective: Aid to the banking sector

Other information: Commission decision declaring that the measures in favour of Slovenská Sporiteľňa, a.s., notified by the Slovak Republic under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Accession Act, are not applicable after accession.

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Slovak Republic

Aid No: State aid No SK 4/04

Title: OTP Banka Slovensko, a.s.

Objective: Aid to the banking sector

Other information: Commission decision declaring that the measures in favour of OTP Banka Slovensko, a.s. notified by the Slovak Republic under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Accession Act, are not applicable after accession.

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/4

---

Commission Decision declaring that the measure notified by the Czech Republic, under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Act of Accession, is not applicable after accession

(2005/C 137/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Czech Republic

Aid No: CZ 46/2003

Title: Investiční a poštovní banka, a.s. (IPB)/Československá obchodní banka, a.s. (ČSOB)

Objective: Aid to the banking sector

Other information: Commission decision declaring that the measures in favour of IPB /ČSOB notified by the Czech Republic under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Accession Act, are not applicable after accession.

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Czech Republic

Aid No: CZ 51/2003

Title: Pragobanka, a.s.

Objective: Aid to the banking sector

Other information: Commission decision declaring that the measure in favour of Pragobanka, a.s., notified by the Czech Republic under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Accession Act, is not applicable after accession.

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Czech Republic

Aid No: CZ 56/003

Title: Coop Banka, a.s.

Objective: Aid to the banking sector

Other information: Commission decision declaring that the measures in favour of Coop Banka, a.s., notified by the Czech Republic under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Accession Act, are not applicable after accession.

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Czech Republic

Aid No: CZ 80/2004

Title: První Městská Banka, a.s.

Objective: Aid to the banking sector

Other information: Commission decision declaring that the measure in favour of První Městská Banka, a.s., notified by the Czech Republic under the interim mechanism pursuant to Annex IV.3 of the Accession Act, is not applicable after accession.

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/5

---

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2005/C 137/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Slovak Republic

Aid No: N 27/2005 and N 53/2005

Title: Social aid — Slovak coal

Objective: Inherited liabilities in the coal sector

Legal basis: Zakon št. 231/1999

Budget: SKK 8 935 671.00, EUR 234 804 (N 27/2005), SKK 4 277 250 (EUR 112 411) (N 53/2005)

Duration: Single payment

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption:

Member State: Sweden

Case number: N 156/04

Title: Energy tax on electricity used by the manufacturing sector

Objective: To introduce a business rate applicable for the electricity used in the production of the manufacturing sector

Legal basis: ‘Lag (2003:810) om ändring i lagen (1994:1776) om skatt på energi’ and ‘Lag (1994:1776) om skatt på energi’

Budget: In total, ca. SEK 17 840 million (approximately EUR 1 964 million)

Duration: 1 July 2004 — 31 December 2005

Other information: Annual report

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: France

Aid No: NN 25/2005

Title: Social aid scheme, known as the ‘mobility passport’ scheme, to assist certain categories of passengers on air services linking mainland France to the French overseas departments

Objective: To offset the disadvantages caused by remoteness — Air transport

Legal basis: Décret no 2004-163 du 18.2.2004 relatif à l'aide dénommée ‘passeport mobilité’ JO no 43 du 20.2.2004 p. 3468

Budget: EUR 7.4 million for 2003

Duration: indefinite

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/6

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding state aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid

(2005/C 137/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid number: XT29/02

Member State: Italy

Region: Lombardy

Title of aid scheme: General and specific training for firms in Lombardy

Legal basis:

| — | Legge 236/93 del 19.3.1993, art. 9 |
| --- | --- |

—

Legge 236/93 del 19.3.1993, art. 9

| — | Legge 845 del 21.12.78 |
| --- | --- |

—

Legge 845 del 21.12.78

| — | Quadro comunitario di sostegno per l'obiettivo 3 FSE-2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

Quadro comunitario di sostegno per l'obiettivo 3 FSE-2006

| — | Programma operativo regione Lombardia relativo all'utilizzo del FSE, ob. 3 2000/2006 approvato dalla Commissione con decisione n. C (2000) 20070 CE 21 settembre 2000 |
| --- | --- |

—

Programma operativo regione Lombardia relativo all'utilizzo del FSE, ob. 3 2000/2006 approvato dalla Commissione con decisione n. C (2000) 20070 CE 21 settembre 2000

| — | Legge 16 aprile 1987 n. 183 art. 5 |
| --- | --- |

—

Legge 16 aprile 1987 n. 183 art. 5

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 70 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: Specific training

Large enterprises outside a priority area, 25 %;

Large enterprises in a priority area qualifying under Article 87(3) (c), 30 %;

SMEs outside a priority area, 35 %;

SMEs in a priority area qualifying under Article 87(3) (c), 40 %.

General training

Large enterprises outside a priority area, 50 %;

Large enterprises in a priority area qualifying under Article 87(3) (c), 55 %;

SMEs outside a priority area, 70 %;

SMEs in a priority area qualifying under Article 87(3) (c), 75 %.

The percentages referred to above are increased by 10 percentage points for training for disadvantaged workers (as defined in Regulation (EC) No 68/2001).

Date of implementation: June 2001

Duration of scheme: June 2001 — June 2006

Objective of aid: General and specific training

Economic sector concerned: All sectors

Name and address of granting authority:

| Regione Lombardia |
| --- |
| Via Fabio Filzi, 22 |
| 20124 Milano — Italia |

Regione Lombardia

Via Fabio Filzi, 22

20124 Milano — Italia

Aid No: XT 58/02

Member State: Italy

Region: Liguria

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Notice published by the Region of Liguria concerning measures to promote training plans at company, sectoral and local/regional level and to develop continuing training in 2002.

Legal basis: Art. 9 legge 19 luglio 1993 n. 236; Art.118, comma 12, legge 23.12.2000 n. 388

Decreto direttoriale Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali n. 511/V/01.

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 2 695 905.01

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum intensity provided for in Regulation (EC) No 68/2001. However, the maximum intensity for all firms, even where the training is for disadvantaged workers, may not exceed 80 %.

Date of application: 10 July 2002, date of publication of the public notice

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until around December 2005

Objective of aid: General training, as defined in the public notice in accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001, and specific training

Economic sectors concerned: All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Regione Liguria |
| --- |
| Servizio Politiche Attive del Lavoro |
| Via Fieschi 15 |
| I-16121 Genova |
| tel 010/54851, fax 010/5485932 |

Regione Liguria

Servizio Politiche Attive del Lavoro

Via Fieschi 15

I-16121 Genova

tel 010/54851, fax 010/5485932

Additional information: Each firm receiving training aid may, instead of exemption under Regulation (EC) No 68/2001, opt for application of the ‘de minimis’ rule pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 of 12 January 2001

Aid number: XT 80/02

Member State: Italy

Region: (Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia) Objective 1

Title of aid scheme: Measures III.1 — Improvement of human resources in the R&TD sector.

Legal basis: Programma operativo nazionale ‘Ricerca scientifica, sviluppo tecnologico, alta formazione’ 2000/2006 che si integra nel quadro comunitario di sostegno per gli interventi strutturali comunitari nelle regioni Campania, Calabria, Puglia, Basilicata, Sicilia, Sardegna. Approvato con decisione della Commissione C(2000) 2343 dell'8.8.2000

Complemento di programmazione approvato dal Comitato di sorveglianza dell'11.12.2001.

Avviso 4391/2001 pubblicato sulla GURI n. 202 del 31.8.2001 — Supplemento ordinario n. 222.

Decreto direttoriale n. 800/RIC/2001 del 30.7.2001 — Cofinanziamento mediante l'utilizzo delle risorse comunitarie assicurate dal Fondo sociale europeo (FSE) — Programma operativo nazionale ‘Ricerca scientifica, sviluppo tecnologico ed alta formazione’ per l'obiettivo 1 — di interventi formativi per soggetti occupati, compresi i titolari di PMI, delle imprese localizzate sul territorio obiettivo 1.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 1 611 309.65 for the period July 2002-December 2003.

Maximum aid intensity: The aid is granted in the form of initial advance payments and by reimbursing duly documented eligible expenditure actually incurred in implementing training activities, subject to the following maximum aid intensities as provided for by Regulation (EC) No 68/2001:

The above intensities are increased by 10 percentage points if the training for which aid is granted is given to disadvantaged workers, as referred to in Article 2(g) of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 and further defined in D.D. 800/RIC/2001.

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: The aid scheme covers general and specific training. General training within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 involves training which is not applicable only or principally to the employee's present or future position in the assisted firm but which provides qualifications that are largely transferable to other firms or fields of work and thereby substantially improve the employability of the employee. For the purposes of implementing this aid scheme, ‘general’ training means: inter-enterprise training, i.e. training organised jointly by different independent enterprises or in which employees of different enterprises may take part.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors. All services

Comments

Firstly, the aid scheme applies to all sectors covered by Regulation (EC) No 68/2001. Secondly, it does not apply to aid for training or retraining workers employed by firms in difficulty within the meaning of the Community guidelines on state aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (OJ C 288, 9.10.1999), as part of rescue or restructuring operations assisted through public funds (rescue and/or restructuring aid). Such aid will be assessed in the light of those guidelines. Thirdly, the aid scheme does not apply if the amount of aid granted to one enterprise for a single training project exceeds EUR 1 million, in which case the individual aid grant must be notified to the Commission for its approval.

Name and address of granting authority:

| Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca |
| --- |
| Servizio per lo Sviluppo ed il potenziamento dell'attività di ricerca |
| Ufficio IV |
| Piazza Kennedy, 20 — I-00144 Roma |

Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca

Servizio per lo Sviluppo ed il potenziamento dell'attività di ricerca

Ufficio IV

Piazza Kennedy, 20 — I-00144 Roma

Aid number: XT 81/02

Member State: Spain

Region: Autonomous Community of Valencia, Region eligible under Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty

Name of company receiving individual aid: GLAPILK, A.I.E.

Legal basis: Convenio de 5 de junio de 2002

Overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 145 813.29

Maximum aid intensity:

| — | General training: 60 % |
| --- | --- |

—

General training: 60 %

| — | Specific training: 35 % |
| --- | --- |

—

Specific training: 35 %

Date of implementation: Agreement signed on 5 June 2002

Duration of individual aid award: 2002

Objective of aid: Specific and general training

Economic sector(s) concerned: Other industrial sectors

Name and address of granting authority:

| Conselleria de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo (Generalitat Valenciana) |
| --- |
| Servicio Valenciano de Empleo y Formación (SERVEF) |
| C/ Navarro Reverter no 2, E-46004 Valencia |

Conselleria de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo (Generalitat Valenciana)

Servicio Valenciano de Empleo y Formación (SERVEF)

C/ Navarro Reverter no 2, E-46004 Valencia

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/9

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding state aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to state aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(2005/C 137/09)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid number: XS 93/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Autonomous Province of Trento

Title of aid scheme: Services for small and medium-sized firms.

Legal basis: Legge provinciale 12 luglio 1993 n. 17 e s.m.; relativo regolamento di attuazione approvato con delibera di Giunta provinciale n. 1664 di data 30 giugno 2000 e s.m. Norma di proroga da inserire nel disegno di legge finanziaria.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Maximum EUR 4 500 000 (annual budget allocation).

Maximum aid intensity: The aid scheme is an extension of State Aid No 280/98 as specified in the notification procedure started on 20 April 1998 Ref. No 703/98-D112/ES/pc. The scheme, authorised by letter of 18 September 1998, Ref. No SG (98) D/7787, provides for various types of aid.

Information services aimed at facilitating access to information via databases and IT systems. The maximum intensity of the measure is 50 %.

Basic services, providing detailed analysis of one or more business areas, with a maximum intensity of 30 %.

Specialised services, aimed at maximising the development of businesses in terms of market presence, organisation and technology, with a maximum intensity of 40 % of expenditure.

Specialised services connected with strategic approaches, aimed at pursuing the objectives identified in the provincial development programme (quality of the firm, new entrepreneurship, integration) with a maximum intensity of 50 % for small firms and 45 % for medium-sized firms.

carried out by test laboratories and certification bodies will receive aid up to a maximum intensity of 15 % for small firms and 7.5 % for medium-sized firms. If the investment is carried out by consortia of small firms, the maximum intensity is 15 %; for consortia of medium-sized firms, 7.5 %.

Date of implementation: 1 January 2004.

Duration of scheme: From 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006.

Objective of aid: Investment/consultancy aid for SMEs and consortia of SMEs.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors, subject to the restrictions laid down by Community rules (i.e. excluding activities linked to the production, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to the Treaty).

Name and address of granting authority:

| Provincia autonoma di Trento |
| --- |
| Piazza Dante 15 |
| 38100 Trento — Italia |

Provincia autonoma di Trento

Piazza Dante 15

38100 Trento — Italia

Aid No: XS 140/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Marche

Title of aid scheme: Single Programming Document Objective 2 2000-2006 — Measure 1.1 Aid to productive and environmental investment by small and medium-sized industrial and craft firms, Submeasure 1.1.1 Aid to productive investment by small and medium-sized industrial firms, assistance b2 Law 598/94, Article 11 — Investment subsidies for technological innovation, environmental protection, organisational innovation, commercial innovation and safety at work.

Legal basis: SPD Objective 2 2000-2006

Annual expenditure planned:

Ordinary aid

EUR 788 835.00 for 2001

EUR 831 006.00 for 2002

EUR 989 370.60 for 2003

Total: EUR 2 609 211.60

Transitional aid

EUR 268 149.60 for 2001

EUR 431 879.10 for 2002

EUR 402 292.20 for 2003

Total: EUR 1 102 320.90

Ordinary aid

EUR 3 028 405.00 for 2004

EUR 3 221 452.00 for 2005

EUR 1 600 855.00 for 2006

Transitional aid

EUR 411 207.00 for 2004

EUR 32 622.00 for 2005

Maximum aid intensity: In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 70/2001, the following rates of aid will be applied: 15 % gge for small firms and 7.5 % gge for medium-sized firms; in areas qualifying for exemption under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty, 8 % nge + 10 % gge for small firms and 8 % nge + 6 % gge for medium-sized firms.

Date of implementation: In accordance with Commission guidelines, aid will be granted for costs incurred by the final recipient from the date of publication of the call for applications. Only expenditure incurred after the date on which the aid application was submitted is eligible.

Duration of scheme: The scheme shall be implemented for the same length of time as SPD Objective 2 2000-06.

Objective of aid: The aid is intended for small and medium-sized industrial firms in Objective 2 and phasing-out areas in the Marche.

Economic sectors concerned: Sections C, D, E and F of the 1991 Italian Statistical Office (ISTAT) classification of economic activities, subject to the exclusions and limitations laid down by the Community rules on state aid (including export aid and aid to the motor manufacturing industry). Activities involving the production, processing or marketing of the goods listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty are excluded

Name and address of the granting authority:

Other information: Amendment to the duration of aid XS 140/2003

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/11

---

Notice concerning the safeguard measures imposed on imports of certain prepared or preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc.) by Commission Regulation (EC) No 658/2004 of 7 April 2004 (1)

(2005/C 137/10)

With reference to Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 (2) and Article 18 of Council Regulation (EC) 519/94 (3), the Commission wishes to gather the information deemed necessary to examine the effects of the safeguard measure imposed on imports of certain prepared or preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc.) by Commission Regulation (EC) No 658/2004 of 7 April 2004 as well as to determine whether and in what manner it would be appropriate to accelerate the pace of liberalisation, and ascertain whether the application of the measure is still necessary. In this context the Commission will also have regard to the steps taken by the Community producers by way of restructuring.

1.   Product concerned

The product in question is prepared or preserved mandarins (including tangerines and satsumas), clementines, wilkings and other similar citrus hybrids, not containing added spirit, containing added sugar, (‘the product concerned’).

The product concerned is currently classified within CN codes 2008 30 55 and 2008 30 75. These CN codes are given for information only.

2.   Procedure

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary, the Commission will send questionnaires to the producers of the product concerned in the Community and to their associations; to the exporters/producers and importers of the product concerned; to any association of exporters/producers and importers of the product concerned that cooperated in the investigation and whose names are mentioned in Regulation 658/2004.

Other interested parties who are willing to submit information should contact the Commission forthwith by fax, but not later than the time limit set out in paragraph 3(a) of this notice, and, if necessary, request a questionnaire.

3.   Time limits

a)   Questionnaires

Interested parties willing to receive a questionnaire should request it as soon as possible, but not later than 10 days after the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

b)   For parties to make themselves known, to submit questionnaire replies and any other information.

All interested parties, if their representations are to be taken into account, must make themselves known by contacting the Commission, presenting their views and submitting questionnaire replies or any other information within 21 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified.

c)   Hearings

All interested parties may also apply to be heard by the Commission within 21 days of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

4.   Written submissions, questionnaire replies and correspondence

All relevant information is to be communicated to the Commission. All submissions and requests made by interested parties must be made in writing (not in electronic format, unless otherwise specified), and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax, and/or telex numbers of the interested party.

The Commission address for correspondence is:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate General for Trade |
| Directorate B |
| Office: J-79 5/16 |
| Fax (32-2) 295 65 05 |
| Telex COMEU B 21877 |

European Commission

Directorate General for Trade

Directorate B

Office: J-79 5/16

Fax (32-2) 295 65 05

Telex COMEU B 21877

5.   Non-cooperation

When information is not supplied within the time limits set out above, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made on the basis of the facts available.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information shall be disregarded and use may be made of the facts available.

---

(1)  OJ L 104, 8.4.2004, p. 67

(2)  OJ L 349, 31.12.1994, p. 53

(3)  OJ L 67, 10.3.1994, p. 89

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/12

---

Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2005/C 137/11)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognized in accordance with Article 12(3) within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No. 2081/92

‘FICO BIANCO DEL CILENTO’

EC No: IT/00282/14.03.2003

PDO (X) PGI ( )

This note is a summary produced for information. For full details, interested parties and in particular the producers of the products covered by the PDO and the PGI in question are invited to consult the full version of the specifications at national services and associations or at the competent services of the European Commission (1).

1.   Competent department in the Member State

| Name: | Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | Via XX Settembre, 20 — I-00187 ROME |
| Tel. | (39-06) 481 99 68 |
| Fax | (39-06) 42 01 31 26 |
| e-mail: | qtc3@politicheagricole.it |

Name:

Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali

Address:

Via XX Settembre, 20 — I-00187 ROME

Tel.

(39-06) 481 99 68

Fax

(39-06) 42 01 31 26

e-mail:

qtc3@politicheagricole.it

2.   Group

| 2.1. | Name: |
| --- | --- |

2.1.

Name:

Consorzio per la Tutela e la Valorizzazione del Fico Bianco del Cilento

| 2.2. | Address: |
| --- | --- |

2.2.

Address:

Via S. Marco, 118 — I-84043 Agropoli (Sa)

Tel. (39-08) 28 72 27 99

| 2.3. | Composition: |
| --- | --- |

2.3.

Composition:

producers/processors (X) other ( )

3.   Type of product

Class 1.6: Natural and processed fruit, vegetables and cereals.

4.   Specification

(summary of requirements under Article 4(2))

4.1.   Name: ‘Fico bianco del Cilento’

4.2.   Description: The protected designation of origin (PDO) ‘Fico Bianco del Cilento’ denotes the dried fruit of the Ficus carica domestica L. species — biotypes related to the Dottato cultivar.

The product can be found either with skin or without (fichi mondi), and with the following characteristics:

figs with skin: uniform colour from light yellow to yellow;

figs with skin that have been cooked: dark yellow;

fichi mondi: very light in colour, bordering on white;

flesh: doughy consistency with largely empty achenes, the centre almost entirely filled and of an amber yellow colour;

size: number of dried figs with skin no greater than 70 per kg, number of fichi mondi no greater than 85 per kg;

humidity: maximum permitted 26 %;

sugar content — minimum value per 100 g of dry weight:

| — | glucose: 21.8 g |
| --- | --- |

—

glucose: 21.8 g

| — | fructose: 23.2 g |
| --- | --- |

—

fructose: 23.2 g

| — | saccharose: 0.1 g |
| --- | --- |

—

saccharose: 0.1 g

flaws: the product should not be affected by damage from insects, mould or other sources; suberisation is acceptable to a maximum of 5 % of the surface of the fruit.

Filling with other ingredients such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, fennel seeds or citrus fruit rind is permitted. The filling may not exceed 10 % of the total product as sold and the origin of those ingredients within the area of production defined in the following point 4.3 must be proved.

Dried figs may be packed loose and without preservatives in various types of packaging (cylindrical, with crown corks, circular, bags), weighing from 125 g to 1 kg. They may be packed in bulk, in baskets made from matter of vegetable origin, with a total weight of between 1 kg and 20 kg. The figs may be open and joined together on the flesh side in packs of 125 g to 1 kg; they may also be threaded onto wooden skewers and stuffed with the ingredients mentioned above. The packages may be decorated with bay leaves.

4.3.   Geographical area: Cilento is the geographical area of Campania by the Tyrrhenian Sea between the mouth of the Sele in the gulf of Salerno and the mouth of the Bussento in the gulf of Policastro; it is bordered to the north by the Alburno and Cervati massifs. The municipalities involved in production are listed in the product specification.

4.4.   Proof of origin: Every phase of the production process should be monitored, in each case documenting the inputs and outputs. In this way, and through registration of producers, plots of land where the figs are grown, processors and packagers on special lists maintained by the regulatory body, the traceability of the product (from one end of the production chain to the other in both directions) is guaranteed.

All persons, both individuals and legal entities, on the relevant lists will be regulated by the regulatory body as established in the product specification and the relevant regulation plan. Whenever the regulatory body establishes non-conformity, even if it is only in one phase of the production chain, the product may not be sold under the protected designation of origin ‘Fico Bianco del Cilento’.

4.5.   Method of production: The specification provides amongst other things that planting density may not exceed 700 trees per hectare. The fruit should be dried through direct exposure to the sun, possibly also using techniques such as protecting the fruits exposed to the sun with plastic tunnels with a minimum height of two metres and/or soaking the fruits in a solution of hot water and 2 % salt.

The production, processing and packing phases must take place within the production area described at point 4.3.

4.6.   Link: Soil and weather factors (the moderating effect of the sea, the barrier to cold winter air currents from the north-east provided by the Apennines, the fertility of the soil and an excellent rainfall pattern), together with the simplicity of growing methods resulting from millennia of experience and the tree's full adaptation to the natural environment in the area, contribute to giving Cilento dried figs organoleptic characteristics that are particularly appreciated by the consumer. Moreover, this tree is a characteristic feature of the rural landscape of Cilento.

Cultivation of the white fig in Cilento is very ancient and probably dates back to pre-Greek times when it was introduced into Italy as a result of the first trade voyages made by the civilisations of the near east. First Cato and later Varro described how dried figs were commonly used in Cilento and Lucania as a staple food by the labourers who worked in the fields.

4.7.   Inspection body:

| Name: | IS.ME.CERT. |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | Via G. Porzio Centro Direzionale Isola G1 scala C — I-80143 NAPOLI |

Name:

IS.ME.CERT.

Address:

Via G. Porzio Centro Direzionale Isola G1 scala C — I-80143 NAPOLI

4.8.   Labelling: The packaging should be labelled with the words ‘FICO BIANCO DEL CILENTO’ and ‘DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE PROTETTA’ or the abbreviation ‘D.O.P.’, all in printed letters no less than twice the size of any other print. The following essential elements should also be clearly visible:

name, business name and address of the packer;

year of production of the figs;

net weight at the point of origin;

logo — whose details may be found in the product specification — relating to the image that must always be used with the Protected Designation of Origin. This depicts three stylised mature figs showing the typical progressive colouring of the fruit as it dries, on a green surface to evoke a field. Beside the fruit, on the right-hand side of the design, part of a stylised Greek column in the Doric style is visible. A strip of blue sky appears in the background with the sun and its rays on the left at the top, pointing to the figs.

In order to use the Protected Designation of Origin, as specified at point 4.1, no further qualification may be employed beyond those provided for in this specification including adjectives such as tipo, gusto, uso, selezionato, scelto and any similar ones.

Products whose main ingredient is ‘Fico Bianco Del Cilento’ PDO, even after development and processing, may be admitted for consumption in packaging making reference to the designation, without the addition of the Community logo, provided that:

‘Fico Bianco Del Cilento’ PDO, certified as such, is the only type of fig contained in the product;

users of the ‘Fico Bianco Del Cilento’ PDO are authorised by the holders of the intellectual property right conferred by registration of the designation ‘Fico Bianco Del Cilento’ PDO, organised in an association for the protection of the PDO recognised by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policy. This association will also enter the users in special registers and monitor the correct use of the protected designation. In the absence of a recognised association, the above tasks will be carried out by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policy as the national authority responsible for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

Where ‘Fico Bianco Del Cilento’ PDO is used along with other ingredients, under existing regulations it may be mentioned only as one of the ingredients of the product containing it or into which it is processed.

4.9.   National requirements: —

---

(1)  European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Agricultural Products Quality Policy Unit, B-1049 Brussels.

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/16

---

STATE AID — FRANCE

State aid No C 1/2005 (ex N 426/2004) — Restructuring of Euromoteurs

Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty

(2005/C 137/12)

Text with EEA relevance

By means of the letter dated 19 January 2005 and reproduced in the authentic language on the pages following this summary, the Commission notified France of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the above-mentioned aid.

Interested parties may submit their comments within one month of the date of publication of this summary and the following letter to:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| State Aid Registry |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

State Aid Registry

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (32-2) 296 12 42

The comments will be communicated to France. Confidential treatment of the identity of the interested party submitting the comments may be requested in writing, stating the reasons for the request.

TEXT OF SUMMARY

1.   Procedure

By letter registered as received on 5 October 2004, France notified the Commission of its intention to contribute an amount of EUR 2 million to the restructuring of Euromoteurs.

2.   Description of the recipient, restructuring plan and aid

Euromoteurs produces electrical motors intended primarily for the household appliances market. The company was established in September 2002, when 12 executives from Compagnie Générale des Moteurs Electriques (CGME), a former Moulinex subsidiary, took over their company's assets. SEB, which acquired part of Moulinex in October 2001, is Euromoteurs' main customer.

Initially, the company planned to concentrate production on one site instead of two and to develop a sectoral diversification strategy. However, a decision by the Nanterre commercial court in September 2002 forced it to maintain two production sites, resulting in significantly higher costs and requiring a corresponding adjustment in the level of activity. The company failed to satisfy the latter conditions and is now in difficulty.

The industrial part of the restructuring plan submitted in the notification envisages:

| 1. | closure of one of the two production sites; |
| --- | --- |

1.

closure of one of the two production sites;

| 2. | search for cheaper suppliers; |
| --- | --- |

2.

search for cheaper suppliers;

| 3. | search for new business partners; |
| --- | --- |

3.

search for new business partners;

| 4. | diversification into the motor vehicle industry (seat motors). |
| --- | --- |

4.

diversification into the motor vehicle industry (seat motors).

The estimated cost of the plan is EUR 5.95 million. In the notification, the French authorities envisaged EUR 2 million in aid. However, additional information dated 1 December 2004 indicates a total of EUR 2.25 million (EUR 1.25 million in grant form and EUR 1 million in the form of debt cancellation by local authorities).

3.   Preliminary assessment

The measure notified by the French authorities constitutes aid under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty. The Commission's preliminary assessment was conducted in the light of the Community's guidelines on state aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (1). It is clear that the company must be considered to be in difficulty.

However, the Commission doubts that the plan will guarantee a return to viability. The business plan submitted dates from December 2001, and no projected operating figures for Euromoteurs have been provided. The only information supplied by the French authorities consists of sales forecasts for 2005 and 2006, but this is insufficient to establish the company's viability. More fundamentally, the Commission doubts that sales levels will be sufficient to guarantee the company's viability. Aside from a supply contract for SEB that ends in 2006, Euromoteurs has not demonstrated that there are any negotiations with customers in the household appliances or motor vehicle sector that are at an advanced stage.

On the basis of the information currently available to it, the Commission also doubts that undue distortions of competition will be prevented and that aid will be restricted to the necessary minimum. It is not possible, for example, to demarcate clearly the relevant markets on the basis of the information supplied. Moreover, the competitive situation and the prospects for the markets in motors for household appliances (on which Euromoteurs produces 25 % of European consumption) and motor seats (on which the company plans to produce 10 % of European consumption in 2006) are an unknown factor.

Lastly, according to the information given to the Commission, Euromoteurs could have been exempted from business and property taxes during its first two years of operation under Article 44 septies of the General Tax Code. Since such aid was declared unlawful and incompatible in a Commission decision of 16 December 2003 (2) and since Euromoteurs, if it did receive such aid, has still not paid it back, the Commission also expresses doubts about the compatibility of the proposed aid.

Accordingly, in the light of the information at its disposal and the results of the preliminary assessment carried out by it, the Commission has decided to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty.

TEXT OF LETTER

Par la présente, la Commission a l'honneur d'informer la France qu'après avoir examiné les informations fournies par vos autorités sur la mesure citée en objet, elle a décidé d'ouvrir la procédure prévue à l'article 88, paragraphe 2, du traité CE.

1.   PROCÉDURE

| (1) | Par lettre enregistrée le 5 octobre 2004, la France a notifié à la Commission son intention de participer financièrement à la restructuration de l'entreprise Euromoteurs à hauteur de 2 millions d'euros. L'affaire a été enregistrée sous le numéro N426/2004. Par lettre du 18 octobre 2004, la Commission a demandé des questions complémentaires concernant la notification, auxquelles la France a répondu par lettre du 1er décembre 2004. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Par lettre enregistrée le 5 octobre 2004, la France a notifié à la Commission son intention de participer financièrement à la restructuration de l'entreprise Euromoteurs à hauteur de 2 millions d'euros. L'affaire a été enregistrée sous le numéro N426/2004. Par lettre du 18 octobre 2004, la Commission a demandé des questions complémentaires concernant la notification, auxquelles la France a répondu par lettre du 1er décembre 2004.

2.   DESCRIPTION

2.1.   Le bénéficiaire

| (2) | Euromoteurs S.A.S (‘Euromoteurs’) produit des moteurs électriques essentiellement destinés à l'électroménager. La société emploie 390 personnes. Elle a été créée en septembre 2002 lorsque 12 cadres de la Compagnie Générale des Moteurs Electriques (‘CGME’), une ancienne filiale de Moulinex, ont repris les actifs de leur entreprise. Le groupe SEB (‘SEB’) qui a acquis partiellement Moulinex en octobre 2001 est le principal client d'Euromoteurs. En 2003 et 2004, les ventes à SEB ont représenté plus de 90 % du chiffre d'affaires d'Euromoteurs. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Euromoteurs S.A.S (‘Euromoteurs’) produit des moteurs électriques essentiellement destinés à l'électroménager. La société emploie 390 personnes. Elle a été créée en septembre 2002 lorsque 12 cadres de la Compagnie Générale des Moteurs Electriques (‘CGME’), une ancienne filiale de Moulinex, ont repris les actifs de leur entreprise. Le groupe SEB (‘SEB’) qui a acquis partiellement Moulinex en octobre 2001 est le principal client d'Euromoteurs. En 2003 et 2004, les ventes à SEB ont représenté plus de 90 % du chiffre d'affaires d'Euromoteurs.

| (3) | A l'origine, le projet de l'entreprise Euromoteurs reposait sur un recentrage des moyens de production de la CGME sur le site de Saint-Lô dans la Manche en fermant le site de Carpiquet dans le Calvados et sur une stratégie de diversification sectorielle. Cependant, le jugement du tribunal de commerce de Nanterre qui a accepté le plan de reprise des actifs de la CGME en septembre 2002 a imposé le maintien des deux sites de production, ce qui a entraîné un surcoût important et nécessitait un niveau d'activité en conséquence. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

A l'origine, le projet de l'entreprise Euromoteurs reposait sur un recentrage des moyens de production de la CGME sur le site de Saint-Lô dans la Manche en fermant le site de Carpiquet dans le Calvados et sur une stratégie de diversification sectorielle. Cependant, le jugement du tribunal de commerce de Nanterre qui a accepté le plan de reprise des actifs de la CGME en septembre 2002 a imposé le maintien des deux sites de production, ce qui a entraîné un surcoût important et nécessitait un niveau d'activité en conséquence.

| (4) | Selon la France, l'effet cumulé de la très mauvaise conjoncture internationale, de la baisse des commandes de SEB et de la chute du cours du dollar en euros a entraîné une réduction de l'activité d'Euromoteurs et entravé son projet de diversification. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Selon la France, l'effet cumulé de la très mauvaise conjoncture internationale, de la baisse des commandes de SEB et de la chute du cours du dollar en euros a entraîné une réduction de l'activité d'Euromoteurs et entravé son projet de diversification.

| (5) | L'évolution des figures comptables d'Euromoteurs est présentée dans le tableau suivant:








  (En millions d'euros) | 2002 (3 mois d'exercice) | 2003 | 2004 (prévision) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nombre d'unités vendues en millions | Non disponible | 8 | 5 |
| Chiffre d'affaires | 13 | 24 | 19 |
| Résultat net | -0 | -1 | -5 |
| Capitaux propres | 2 | 1 | -2 |

(5)

L'évolution des figures comptables d'Euromoteurs est présentée dans le tableau suivant:

(En millions d'euros)

2002 (3 mois d'exercice)

2003

2004 (prévision)

Nombre d'unités vendues en millions

Non disponible

8

5

Chiffre d'affaires

13

24

19

Résultat net

-0

-1

-5

Capitaux propres

2

1

-2

2.2.   Le marché

| (6) | Actuellement, Euromoteurs produit 25 % de la consommation européenne de moteurs pour l'électroménager. L'entreprise prévoit de se diversifier dans le secteur automobile et de produire près de 10 % de la consommation européenne de moteurs pour sièges en 2006. Il est possible que la gamme des marchés concernés soit plus étendue que les moteurs pour l'électroménager et pour sièges d'automobiles et inclue également les moteurs utilisés dans les secteurs du jardinage, de l'équipement de la maison, ou des appareils médicaux. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Actuellement, Euromoteurs produit 25 % de la consommation européenne de moteurs pour l'électroménager. L'entreprise prévoit de se diversifier dans le secteur automobile et de produire près de 10 % de la consommation européenne de moteurs pour sièges en 2006. Il est possible que la gamme des marchés concernés soit plus étendue que les moteurs pour l'électroménager et pour sièges d'automobiles et inclue également les moteurs utilisés dans les secteurs du jardinage, de l'équipement de la maison, ou des appareils médicaux.

| (7) | D'après les autorités françaises, les principaux concurrents d'Euromoteurs se trouvent en Europe et en Asie pour les moteurs universels (Ametek, Domel, LG, Johnson Electric, Sun Motors) comme pour les moteurs à aimants permanents (Valeo, Bosch, Meritor, Johnson Electric). |
| --- | --- |

(7)

D'après les autorités françaises, les principaux concurrents d'Euromoteurs se trouvent en Europe et en Asie pour les moteurs universels (Ametek, Domel, LG, Johnson Electric, Sun Motors) comme pour les moteurs à aimants permanents (Valeo, Bosch, Meritor, Johnson Electric).

2.3.   Le projet de restructuration

| (8) | Le projet de restructuration communiqué par les autorités françaises s'étend sur une période de deux ans. Il comprend trois volets: industriel, financier et social, pour un montant total de 5,95 millions d'euros:






  1. | la restructuration industrielle a un coût estimé à 1,10 million d'euros et prévoit:






  1) | la fermeture d'un des deux sites de production; |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

(8)

Le projet de restructuration communiqué par les autorités françaises s'étend sur une période de deux ans. Il comprend trois volets: industriel, financier et social, pour un montant total de 5,95 millions d'euros:

1.

la restructuration industrielle a un coût estimé à 1,10 million d'euros et prévoit:

1)

la fermeture d'un des deux sites de production;

| 2) | la recherche de sources d'approvisionnement moins coûteuses; |
| --- | --- |

2)

la recherche de sources d'approvisionnement moins coûteuses;

| 3) | la recherche de nouveaux partenaires commerciaux; |
| --- | --- |

3)

la recherche de nouveaux partenaires commerciaux;

| 4) | une diversification dans le secteur automobile (moteurs de siège); |
| --- | --- |

4)

une diversification dans le secteur automobile (moteurs de siège);

| 2. | la restructuration financière vise à apurer les dettes de l'entreprise pour 2,50 millions d'euros; |
| --- | --- |

2.

la restructuration financière vise à apurer les dettes de l'entreprise pour 2,50 millions d'euros;

| 3. | la restructuration sociale vise à accompagner les 256 salariés licenciés dans leur reconversion à hauteur de 2,35 millions d'euros. |
| --- | --- |

3.

la restructuration sociale vise à accompagner les 256 salariés licenciés dans leur reconversion à hauteur de 2,35 millions d'euros.

| (9) | Concernant le financement du projet, les mesures prévues sont les suivantes:






  1. | 1,45 million d'euros viendront de la vente du site de Carpiquet; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(9)

Concernant le financement du projet, les mesures prévues sont les suivantes:

1.

1,45 million d'euros viendront de la vente du site de Carpiquet;

| 2. | 1,5 million d'euros viendront d'une avance sur commande de SEB; |
| --- | --- |

2.

1,5 million d'euros viendront d'une avance sur commande de SEB;

| 3. | 1 million d'euros viendront d'une libération de capital de l'actionnaire; |
| --- | --- |

3.

1 million d'euros viendront d'une libération de capital de l'actionnaire;

| 4. | 2 millions d'euros selon la notification du 5 octobre 2004 ou 2,25 millions d'euros selon la lettre du 1er décembre 2004, viendront de l'aide notifiée. |
| --- | --- |

4.

2 millions d'euros selon la notification du 5 octobre 2004 ou 2,25 millions d'euros selon la lettre du 1er décembre 2004, viendront de l'aide notifiée.

2.4.   Description de l'aide

| (10) | Selon la lettre des autorités françaises du 1er décembre 2004, l'aide notifiée prendra la forme d'une subvention d'État à hauteur de 1 million d'euros et d'une annulation de dettes envers les collectivités locales (1 million d'euros par le Conseil Régional et 0,25 million d'euros par les Conseils Généraux de la Manche et du Calvados). |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Selon la lettre des autorités françaises du 1er décembre 2004, l'aide notifiée prendra la forme d'une subvention d'État à hauteur de 1 million d'euros et d'une annulation de dettes envers les collectivités locales (1 million d'euros par le Conseil Régional et 0,25 million d'euros par les Conseils Généraux de la Manche et du Calvados).

3.   APPRÉCIATION

3.1.   Existence d'aide d'État

| (11) | La mesure notifiée par la France constitue bien une aide d'État au sens de l'article 87, paragraphe 1 du traité. Accordée par l'État, elle sera financée par des ressources de l'État au bénéfice d'une entreprise spécifique, Euromoteurs, dont les produits font l'objet d'échanges entre États membres. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

La mesure notifiée par la France constitue bien une aide d'État au sens de l'article 87, paragraphe 1 du traité. Accordée par l'État, elle sera financée par des ressources de l'État au bénéfice d'une entreprise spécifique, Euromoteurs, dont les produits font l'objet d'échanges entre États membres.

| (12) | La France a donc respecté ses obligations en vertu de l'article 88 paragraphe 3 du traité. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

La France a donc respecté ses obligations en vertu de l'article 88 paragraphe 3 du traité.

3.2.   Compatibilité de l'aide avec le marché commun

| (13) | L'aide doit être appréciée en tant qu'aide d'État ad hoc dans le cadre du présent examen. L'article 87, paragraphes 2 et 3, du traité, prévoit des dérogations à l'incompatibilité générale visée au paragraphe 1. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

L'aide doit être appréciée en tant qu'aide d'État ad hoc dans le cadre du présent examen. L'article 87, paragraphes 2 et 3, du traité, prévoit des dérogations à l'incompatibilité générale visée au paragraphe 1.

| (14) | Les dérogations prévues à l'article 87, paragraphe 2, du traité CE ne sont pas applicables en l'espèce car les mesures d'aide ne revêtent pas de caractère social et ne sont pas octroyées à des consommateurs individuels, elles ne sont pas destinées à remédier aux dommages causés par les calamités naturelles ou par d'autres événements extraordinaires, et elles n'ont pas pour objet de favoriser l'économie de certaines régions de la République fédérale d'Allemagne affectées par la division de l'Allemagne. Il en est de même des dérogations prévues à l'article 87, paragraphe 3, points b) et d) qui ne sont manifestement pas applicables. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

Les dérogations prévues à l'article 87, paragraphe 2, du traité CE ne sont pas applicables en l'espèce car les mesures d'aide ne revêtent pas de caractère social et ne sont pas octroyées à des consommateurs individuels, elles ne sont pas destinées à remédier aux dommages causés par les calamités naturelles ou par d'autres événements extraordinaires, et elles n'ont pas pour objet de favoriser l'économie de certaines régions de la République fédérale d'Allemagne affectées par la division de l'Allemagne. Il en est de même des dérogations prévues à l'article 87, paragraphe 3, points b) et d) qui ne sont manifestement pas applicables.

| (15) | D'autres dérogations sont prévues à l'article 87, paragraphe 3, points a) et c), du traité CE. Puisque le principal objectif de l'aide n'est pas régional mais concerne la restructuration d'une entreprise en difficulté, seules les dérogations visées au point c) s'appliquent. Celui-ci prévoit l'autorisation des aides d'État destinées à faciliter le développement de certaines activités économiques, quand elles n'altèrent pas les conditions des échanges dans une mesure contraire à l'intérêt commun. La Commission a publié des lignes directrices spécifiques pour apprécier les aides au sauvetage et à la restructuration d'entreprises en difficulté (ci-après, ‘lignes directrices’). Ayant été notifiée avant le 10 octobre 2004, l'aide en espèce est appréciée à la lumière des critères établis dans les lignes directrices de 1999. Il est clair que la mesure ne vise aucun autre objectif horizontal. En outre, la France n'invoque aucun autre objectif et se fonde sur lesdites lignes directrices pour justifier la compatibilité de la mesure notifiée. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

D'autres dérogations sont prévues à l'article 87, paragraphe 3, points a) et c), du traité CE. Puisque le principal objectif de l'aide n'est pas régional mais concerne la restructuration d'une entreprise en difficulté, seules les dérogations visées au point c) s'appliquent. Celui-ci prévoit l'autorisation des aides d'État destinées à faciliter le développement de certaines activités économiques, quand elles n'altèrent pas les conditions des échanges dans une mesure contraire à l'intérêt commun. La Commission a publié des lignes directrices spécifiques pour apprécier les aides au sauvetage et à la restructuration d'entreprises en difficulté (ci-après, ‘lignes directrices’). Ayant été notifiée avant le 10 octobre 2004, l'aide en espèce est appréciée à la lumière des critères établis dans les lignes directrices de 1999. Il est clair que la mesure ne vise aucun autre objectif horizontal. En outre, la France n'invoque aucun autre objectif et se fonde sur lesdites lignes directrices pour justifier la compatibilité de la mesure notifiée.

Éligibilité: entreprise en difficulté

| (16) | Pour être éligible à une aide à la restructuration, l'entreprise doit être considérée comme étant en difficulté. La section 2.1 des lignes directrices définit cette notion. Avec un capital souscrit de 4 millions d'euros, Euromoteurs prévoit pour l'exercice 2004 une perte de 4,7 millions d'euros, qui amènera ses capitaux propres à -1,9 million d'euros. Euromoteurs peut donc être considérée comme étant en difficulté au sens du point 5.a), des lignes directrices. |
| --- | --- |

(16)

Pour être éligible à une aide à la restructuration, l'entreprise doit être considérée comme étant en difficulté. La section 2.1 des lignes directrices définit cette notion. Avec un capital souscrit de 4 millions d'euros, Euromoteurs prévoit pour l'exercice 2004 une perte de 4,7 millions d'euros, qui amènera ses capitaux propres à -1,9 million d'euros. Euromoteurs peut donc être considérée comme étant en difficulté au sens du point 5.a), des lignes directrices.

| (17) | Le point 7 des lignes directrices stipule qu'une entreprise nouvellement créée n'est pas éligible aux aides à la restructuration, même si sa position financière initiale est précaire. Ayant été créée 2 ans et 1 mois avant la notification, l'entreprise n'est pas considérée comme nouvellement créée selon la pratique de la Commission en application des lignes directrices. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

Le point 7 des lignes directrices stipule qu'une entreprise nouvellement créée n'est pas éligible aux aides à la restructuration, même si sa position financière initiale est précaire. Ayant été créée 2 ans et 1 mois avant la notification, l'entreprise n'est pas considérée comme nouvellement créée selon la pratique de la Commission en application des lignes directrices.

| (18) | S'il est clair que l'entreprise est admissible aux aides à la restructuration, la Commission, a néanmoins des doutes concernant le respect de quatre critères. |
| --- | --- |

(18)

S'il est clair que l'entreprise est admissible aux aides à la restructuration, la Commission, a néanmoins des doutes concernant le respect de quatre critères.

Retour à la viabilité (points 32 à 34 des lignes directrices)

| (19) | Selon la section 3.2.2 des lignes directrices, l'octroi de l'aide est subordonné à la mise en œuvre d'un plan de restructuration qui doit permettre de rétablir dans un délai raisonnable la viabilité à long terme de l'entreprise, sur la base d'hypothèses réalistes en ce qui concerne ses conditions d'exploitation futures. L'amélioration de la viabilité doit résulter principalement de mesures internes prévues par le plan de restructuration et elle ne peut être uniquement basée sur des facteurs externes sur lesquels l'entreprise ne peut guère influer tels que des augmentations de prix ou de la demande. Le plan de restructuration devrait décrire les circonstances qui entraînent les difficultés de la société afin de permettre d'évaluer si les mesures proposées sont adaptées pour traiter les problèmes de l'entreprise. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

Selon la section 3.2.2 des lignes directrices, l'octroi de l'aide est subordonné à la mise en œuvre d'un plan de restructuration qui doit permettre de rétablir dans un délai raisonnable la viabilité à long terme de l'entreprise, sur la base d'hypothèses réalistes en ce qui concerne ses conditions d'exploitation futures. L'amélioration de la viabilité doit résulter principalement de mesures internes prévues par le plan de restructuration et elle ne peut être uniquement basée sur des facteurs externes sur lesquels l'entreprise ne peut guère influer tels que des augmentations de prix ou de la demande. Le plan de restructuration devrait décrire les circonstances qui entraînent les difficultés de la société afin de permettre d'évaluer si les mesures proposées sont adaptées pour traiter les problèmes de l'entreprise.

| (20) | Le business plan cité pour référence (mais non communiqué) est celui qui a été établi en décembre 2001 en vue de la reprise de la CGME par Euromoteurs. En outre, malgré une demande de renseignements complémentaires, aucun compte prévisionnel des résultats d'Euromoteurs prouvant que le plan de restructuration permettra le retour à la viabilité de l'entreprise n'a été fourni. Les seules informations chiffrées fournies par les autorités françaises consistent en des prévisions de ventes pour 2005 et 2006, ce qui est insuffisant pour prouver la viabilité de l'entreprise. |
| --- | --- |

(20)

Le business plan cité pour référence (mais non communiqué) est celui qui a été établi en décembre 2001 en vue de la reprise de la CGME par Euromoteurs. En outre, malgré une demande de renseignements complémentaires, aucun compte prévisionnel des résultats d'Euromoteurs prouvant que le plan de restructuration permettra le retour à la viabilité de l'entreprise n'a été fourni. Les seules informations chiffrées fournies par les autorités françaises consistent en des prévisions de ventes pour 2005 et 2006, ce qui est insuffisant pour prouver la viabilité de l'entreprise.

| (21) | Une cause importante des difficultés actuelles d'Euromoteurs est la dégradation de son chiffre d'affaires. Même si la fermeture d'un site sur deux et le licenciement de près de deux tiers de son personnel permettront à Euromoteurs de réduire substantiellement ses coûts de fonctionnement, il reste à prouver que les ventes seront suffisantes pour garantir la viabilité de l'entreprise. A ce jour, Euromoteurs reste très dépendant des commandes de SEB. Or, à part un contrat d'approvisionnement pour SEB qui s'achève en 2006, Euromoteurs n'a pas fait état de négociations à un stade avancé avec d'autres clients, que ce soit dans le secteur de l'électroménager comme de l'automobile. On peut donc s'interroger sur les résultats de sa recherche de nouveaux partenaires commerciaux et de sa stratégie de diversification, en particulier sur la plausibilité de ses prévisions de ventes de moteurs pour sièges d'automobiles en 2005 et 2006. Plus généralement, l'avenir d'Euromoteurs après 2006 ne paraît pas assuré. |
| --- | --- |

(21)

Une cause importante des difficultés actuelles d'Euromoteurs est la dégradation de son chiffre d'affaires. Même si la fermeture d'un site sur deux et le licenciement de près de deux tiers de son personnel permettront à Euromoteurs de réduire substantiellement ses coûts de fonctionnement, il reste à prouver que les ventes seront suffisantes pour garantir la viabilité de l'entreprise. A ce jour, Euromoteurs reste très dépendant des commandes de SEB. Or, à part un contrat d'approvisionnement pour SEB qui s'achève en 2006, Euromoteurs n'a pas fait état de négociations à un stade avancé avec d'autres clients, que ce soit dans le secteur de l'électroménager comme de l'automobile. On peut donc s'interroger sur les résultats de sa recherche de nouveaux partenaires commerciaux et de sa stratégie de diversification, en particulier sur la plausibilité de ses prévisions de ventes de moteurs pour sièges d'automobiles en 2005 et 2006. Plus généralement, l'avenir d'Euromoteurs après 2006 ne paraît pas assuré.

| (22) | En conclusion, en l'absence d'un business plan réaliste et argumenté couvrant une période de temps significative, et face à la nature des difficultés actuelles de l'entreprise, la Commission doute de la viabilité de l'entreprise à l'issue de sa restructuration |
| --- | --- |

(22)

En conclusion, en l'absence d'un business plan réaliste et argumenté couvrant une période de temps significative, et face à la nature des difficultés actuelles de l'entreprise, la Commission doute de la viabilité de l'entreprise à l'issue de sa restructuration

Prévention de distorsions de concurrence (points 35 à 39 des lignes directrices)

| (23) | Le plan de restructuration prévoit la fermeture d'un site sur deux ainsi que le licenciement de 246 employés sur 390. Ceci devrait entraîner une réduction substantielle de la capacité de production de l'entreprise. |
| --- | --- |

(23)

Le plan de restructuration prévoit la fermeture d'un site sur deux ainsi que le licenciement de 246 employés sur 390. Ceci devrait entraîner une réduction substantielle de la capacité de production de l'entreprise.

| (24) | Cependant, il faut noter qu'Euromoteurs restera très largement surcapacitaire. L'entreprise fournit actuellement 4 millions de moteurs universels pour l'électroménager ce qui représente 25 % de la consommation européenne. Elle prévoit de produire 10 % de la consommation européenne de moteurs de sièges en 2006. Comme cela a été évoqué dans la section 2.2 ci-dessus, il est possible que les secteurs concernés ne se limitent pas aux petits moteurs pour l'électroménager et l'automobile. De plus, les renseignements communiqués ne permettent pas de déterminer la situation concurrentielle à l'échelle européenne ni les perspectives d'évolution de ces marchés, tant en termes d'offre et de demande que de tendances à l'investissement ou à la délocalisation. En conséquence, l'impact de l'aide est difficilement mesurable. L'ouverture de procédure donnera aux concurrents d'Euromoteurs l'opportunité de communiquer leurs remarques à ce sujet. |
| --- | --- |

(24)

Cependant, il faut noter qu'Euromoteurs restera très largement surcapacitaire. L'entreprise fournit actuellement 4 millions de moteurs universels pour l'électroménager ce qui représente 25 % de la consommation européenne. Elle prévoit de produire 10 % de la consommation européenne de moteurs de sièges en 2006. Comme cela a été évoqué dans la section 2.2 ci-dessus, il est possible que les secteurs concernés ne se limitent pas aux petits moteurs pour l'électroménager et l'automobile. De plus, les renseignements communiqués ne permettent pas de déterminer la situation concurrentielle à l'échelle européenne ni les perspectives d'évolution de ces marchés, tant en termes d'offre et de demande que de tendances à l'investissement ou à la délocalisation. En conséquence, l'impact de l'aide est difficilement mesurable. L'ouverture de procédure donnera aux concurrents d'Euromoteurs l'opportunité de communiquer leurs remarques à ce sujet.

Aide limitée au minimum (points 40 à 41 des lignes directrices)

| (25) | Compte tenu des incertitudes concernant le montant de l'aide envisagée, du manque de précision du business plan et de l'absence de prévisions chiffrées, la Commission doute que l'aide ne conduise pas l'entreprise à disposer de liquidités excédentaires qu'elle pourrait consacrer à des activités agressives susceptibles de provoquer des distorsions sur le marché et qui ne seraient pas liées au processus de restructuration. Par ailleurs le montant de l'aide (2 millions d'euros ou 2,25 millions d'euros, cf point 9 ci-dessus) demande à être clarifié. |
| --- | --- |

(25)

Compte tenu des incertitudes concernant le montant de l'aide envisagée, du manque de précision du business plan et de l'absence de prévisions chiffrées, la Commission doute que l'aide ne conduise pas l'entreprise à disposer de liquidités excédentaires qu'elle pourrait consacrer à des activités agressives susceptibles de provoquer des distorsions sur le marché et qui ne seraient pas liées au processus de restructuration. Par ailleurs le montant de l'aide (2 millions d'euros ou 2,25 millions d'euros, cf point 9 ci-dessus) demande à être clarifié.

Principe de l'aide unique

| (26) | D'après les autorités françaises, aucune aide à la restructuration n'a été versée précédemment à Euromoteurs. |
| --- | --- |

(26)

D'après les autorités françaises, aucune aide à la restructuration n'a été versée précédemment à Euromoteurs.

Application de la jurisprudence ‘Deggendorf’

| (27) | D'après les informations fournies à la Commission, Euromoteurs aurait pu bénéficier d'exonération de taxe professionnelle et de taxe foncière pendant les deux années suivant sa création conformément à l'article 44 septies du code général des impôts. Ces aides ayant été déclarées illégales et incompatibles par décision de la Commission du 16 décembre 2003 et Euromoteurs, à supposer qu'il les ait reçues, ne les ayant pas encore remboursées, la Commission exprime également des doutes sur la compatibilité des présentes aides à cet égard. |
| --- | --- |

(27)

D'après les informations fournies à la Commission, Euromoteurs aurait pu bénéficier d'exonération de taxe professionnelle et de taxe foncière pendant les deux années suivant sa création conformément à l'article 44 septies du code général des impôts. Ces aides ayant été déclarées illégales et incompatibles par décision de la Commission du 16 décembre 2003 et Euromoteurs, à supposer qu'il les ait reçues, ne les ayant pas encore remboursées, la Commission exprime également des doutes sur la compatibilité des présentes aides à cet égard.

4.   DÉCISION

| (28) | Eu égard aux considérations qui précèdent, la Commission ne peut conclure que les mesures susmentionnées sont compatibles avec le marché commun. Par conséquent, elle entend ouvrir une procédure formelle d'examen concernant la mesure afin d'apprécier sa compatibilité avec le marché commun. |
| --- | --- |

(28)

Eu égard aux considérations qui précèdent, la Commission ne peut conclure que les mesures susmentionnées sont compatibles avec le marché commun. Par conséquent, elle entend ouvrir une procédure formelle d'examen concernant la mesure afin d'apprécier sa compatibilité avec le marché commun.

| (29) | La Commission rappelle à la France l'effet suspensif de l'article 88, paragraphe 3, du traité CE, et attire son attention sur l'article 14 du règlement (CE) no 659/1999 du Conseil, qui prévoit que toute aide illégale pourra faire l'objet d'une récupération auprès de son bénéficiaire.
  La Commission avise la France qu'elle informera les intéressés par la publication de la présente lettre et d'un résumé de celle-ci au Journal officiel de l'Union européenne. Elle informera également les intéressés dans les pays de l'AELE signataires de l'accord EEE par la publication d'une communication dans le supplément EEE du Journal officiel de l'Union européenne, ainsi que l'autorité de surveillance de l'AELE en leur envoyant une copie de la présente. Tous les intéressés susmentionnés seront invités à présenter leurs observations dans le délai d'un mois à compter de la date de cette publication. |
| --- | --- |

(29)

La Commission rappelle à la France l'effet suspensif de l'article 88, paragraphe 3, du traité CE, et attire son attention sur l'article 14 du règlement (CE) no 659/1999 du Conseil, qui prévoit que toute aide illégale pourra faire l'objet d'une récupération auprès de son bénéficiaire.

La Commission avise la France qu'elle informera les intéressés par la publication de la présente lettre et d'un résumé de celle-ci au Journal officiel de l'Union européenne. Elle informera également les intéressés dans les pays de l'AELE signataires de l'accord EEE par la publication d'une communication dans le supplément EEE du Journal officiel de l'Union européenne, ainsi que l'autorité de surveillance de l'AELE en leur envoyant une copie de la présente. Tous les intéressés susmentionnés seront invités à présenter leurs observations dans le délai d'un mois à compter de la date de cette publication.

---

(1)  OJ C 288, 9.10.1999, p. 2.

(2)  OJ L 108, 16.4.2004, p. 38.

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/20

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M. 3778 — Böhler-Uddeholm/Buderus)

(2005/C 137/13)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 26 May 2005 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the Austrian undertaking Böhler-Uddeholm AG (Böhler) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the German undertaking Edelstahlwerke Buderus AG (Buderus) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 26 May 2005 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the Austrian undertaking Böhler-Uddeholm AG (Böhler) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the German undertaking Edelstahlwerke Buderus AG (Buderus) by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Böhler: specialty steel, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Böhler: specialty steel,

| — | for Buderus: specialty steel. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Buderus: specialty steel.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M. 3778 — Böhler-Uddeholm/Buderus, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition, |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M. 3778 — Böhler-Uddeholm/Buderus, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004 p. 1

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| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/21 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/21

---

Withdrawal of notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3808 — Mittal/Huta Stali Czestochowa)

(2005/C 137/14)

(Voor de EER relevante tekst)

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 139/2004

On 2 May 2005, the Commission of the European Communities received notification of a proposed concentration between Mittal Steel Company NV and Huta Stali Czestochowa Sp. z.o.o. On 27 May 2005, the notifying parties informed the Commission that they withdrew their notification.

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/22 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/22

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3747 — Rautaruukki/Wärtsilä/SKF/JV)

(2005/C 137/15)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 3 May 2005, 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 web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

from the Europa competition web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 32005M3747. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex) |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32005M3747. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/23 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/23

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3665 — ENEL/Slovenske Elektrarne)

(2005/C 137/16)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 26 April 2005, 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 web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

from the Europa competition web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 32005M3665. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex) |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32005M3665. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

---

| 4.6.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 137/24 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.6.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137/24

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3772 — Aviva/RAC)

(2005/C 137/17)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 3 May 2005, 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 web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

from the Europa competition web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 32005M3772. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex) |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32005M3772. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

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