# Official Journal C 7/12 J

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 7 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 4912 January 2006 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 7

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 4912 January 2006

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Information |
| | Commission |
| 2006/C 007/1 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |
| 2006/C 007/2 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| | EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2006/C 007/3 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections | 3 |
| 2006/C 007/4 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections | 4 |
| 2006/C 007/5 | Publication of decisions by Member States to grant or revoke operating licences pursuant to Article 13(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 on licensing of air carriers | 5 |
| 2006/C 007/6 | Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections | 6 |
| 2006/C 007/7 | Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision to propose appropriate measures in relation to a scheme on tax and fee concessions in favour of Norðurál hf. The proposal has been accepted by Iceland. | 7 |
| | EFTA Standing Committee |
| 2006/C 007/8 | List of natural mineral waters in Iceland and Norway pursuant to Article 1 of Council Directive 80/777/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters | 9 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Information

Commission

2006/C 007/1

Euro exchange rates

1

2006/C 007/2

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

2

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2006/C 007/3

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

3

2006/C 007/4

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

4

2006/C 007/5

Publication of decisions by Member States to grant or revoke operating licences pursuant to Article 13(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 on licensing of air carriers

5

2006/C 007/6

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

6

2006/C 007/7

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision to propose appropriate measures in relation to a scheme on tax and fee concessions in favour of Norðurál hf. The proposal has been accepted by Iceland.

7

EFTA Standing Committee

2006/C 007/8

List of natural mineral waters in Iceland and Norway pursuant to Article 1 of Council Directive 80/777/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters

9

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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I Information

Commission

| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

11 January 2006

(2006/C 7/01)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2088 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 138,31 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4573 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,68840 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,3499 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,5474 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 74,03 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 8,0310 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9554 |
| CYP | Cyprus pound | 0,5737 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 28,753 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 249,88 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6962 |
| MTL | Maltese lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,7742 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 3,6285 |
| SIT | Slovenian tolar | 239,48 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 37,380 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,6210 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6061 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4073 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,3702 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7392 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,9702 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 187,04 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 7,3825 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 9,7556 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3851 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 441,29 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,529 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 63,583 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 34,4140 |
| THB | Thai baht | 48,100 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2088

JPY

Japanese yen

138,31

DKK

Danish krone

7,4573

GBP

Pound sterling

0,68840

SEK

Swedish krona

9,3499

CHF

Swiss franc

1,5474

ISK

Iceland króna

74,03

NOK

Norwegian krone

8,0310

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9554

CYP

Cyprus pound

0,5737

CZK

Czech koruna

28,753

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

249,88

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6962

MTL

Maltese lira

0,4293

PLN

Polish zloty

3,7742

RON

Romanian leu

3,6285

SIT

Slovenian tolar

239,48

SKK

Slovak koruna

37,380

TRY

Turkish lira

1,6210

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6061

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4073

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,3702

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7392

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,9702

KRW

South Korean won

1 187,04

ZAR

South African rand

7,3825

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

9,7556

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3851

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 441,29

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,529

PHP

Philippine peso

63,583

RUB

Russian rouble

34,4140

THB

Thai baht

48,100

---

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/2

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 7/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 5 January 2006 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Parts Holding Sarl (‘Parts’, Luxembourg, part of the Investcorp Group, UK) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of Autodis S.A (‘Autodis’, France), by way of purchase of shares |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 5 January 2006 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Parts Holding Sarl (‘Parts’, Luxembourg, part of the Investcorp Group, UK) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of Autodis S.A (‘Autodis’, France), by way of purchase of shares

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






  — | Parts/Investcorp group: international financial institution acting as a principal and as an intermediary in international investment transactions, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

Parts/Investcorp group: international financial institution acting as a principal and as an intermediary in international investment transactions,

| — | Autodis: distribution of automotive (car and car engines) spare parts, heavy vehicle (truck, trailer and bus) spare parts, and industrial non-automotive spare parts. |
| --- | --- |

—

Autodis: distribution of automotive (car and car engines) spare parts, heavy vehicle (truck, trailer and bus) spare parts, and industrial non-automotive spare parts.

| 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. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

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. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

| 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.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Competition DG |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

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.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group, to the following address:

European Commission

Competition DG

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/3 |
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12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/3

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

(2006/C 7/03)

| Date of adoption of the decision | 22 June 2005 |
| --- | --- |
| Number of aid | Case 55682 |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Title | Electricity tax exemption for energy intensive industries participating in a programme for energy efficiency |
| Objective | The objective of the programme is to encourage efficient use of energy |
| Legal basis | The Parliament's annual decision on electricity tax, the Regulation on excise duties, ref. § 3-12-11 (1) and the standard ‘Agreement Concerning the Promotion of Energy Efficient Energy Use in Energy Intensive Industries’ to be entered into between the Norwegian State and each of the relevant companies qualifying for participation |
| Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted (in national currency) | Aid scheme
  Exemption of tax amounts to approx. NOK 25 million per year | Annual expenditure planned: NOK 25 million | EUR 3 million |
| Overall amount: NOK 250 million | EUR 30 million |
| Duration | 10 years | |
| Maximum aid intensity of the aid scheme | NOK 25 million per year | |
| Economic sectors | Limited to the energy intensive industries in the manufacturing and mining sector, social works, as far as the electricity is used by enterprises that exercise industrial production in the same way as the enterprises in the manufacturing and mining sector, as well as the industry which supplies steam and hot water | |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Ministry of Finance |
| P.O. Box 8008 Dep, N-0030 Oslo |

Date of adoption of the decision

22 June 2005

Number of aid

Case 55682

EFTA State

Norway

Title

Electricity tax exemption for energy intensive industries participating in a programme for energy efficiency

Objective

The objective of the programme is to encourage efficient use of energy

Legal basis

The Parliament's annual decision on electricity tax, the Regulation on excise duties, ref. § 3-12-11 (1) and the standard ‘Agreement Concerning the Promotion of Energy Efficient Energy Use in Energy Intensive Industries’ to be entered into between the Norwegian State and each of the relevant companies qualifying for participation

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted (in national currency)

Aid scheme

Exemption of tax amounts to approx. NOK 25 million per year

Annual expenditure planned: NOK 25 million

EUR 3 million

Overall amount: NOK 250 million

EUR 30 million

Duration

10 years

Maximum aid intensity of the aid scheme

NOK 25 million per year

Economic sectors

Limited to the energy intensive industries in the manufacturing and mining sector, social works, as far as the electricity is used by enterprises that exercise industrial production in the same way as the enterprises in the manufacturing and mining sector, as well as the industry which supplies steam and hot water

Name and address of the granting authority

Ministry of Finance

P.O. Box 8008 Dep, N-0030 Oslo

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

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry

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| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/4

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

(2006/C 7/04)

| Date of adoption of the decision | 15 July 2005 |
| --- | --- |
| Number of aid | Case 57877 |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Title | Amendments to the Norwegian aid scheme ‘support for audiovisual production’ |
| Objective | The objective of the programme is to encourage film and TV production as well as interactive production |
| Legal basis | Regulation for support for audiovisual production of 28 January 2005 (Forskrift om tilskudd til audiovisuelle produksjoner) |
| Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted (in national currency) | Aid scheme | Annual expenditure
  Budget 2004
  NOK 236 840 000 | EUR 28 million |
| Duration | Until 8 February 2007 |
| Maximum aid intensity of the aid scheme | Variable |
| Economic sector | Audiovisual production |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Norsk filmfond |
| Dronningens gt. 16 |
| Postboks 752 Sentrum |
| N-0106 Oslo |

Date of adoption of the decision

15 July 2005

Number of aid

Case 57877

EFTA State

Norway

Title

Amendments to the Norwegian aid scheme ‘support for audiovisual production’

Objective

The objective of the programme is to encourage film and TV production as well as interactive production

Legal basis

Regulation for support for audiovisual production of 28 January 2005 (Forskrift om tilskudd til audiovisuelle produksjoner)

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted (in national currency)

Aid scheme

Annual expenditure

Budget 2004

NOK 236 840 000

EUR 28 million

Duration

Until 8 February 2007

Maximum aid intensity of the aid scheme

Variable

Economic sector

Audiovisual production

Name and address of the granting authority

Norsk filmfond

Dronningens gt. 16

Postboks 752 Sentrum

N-0106 Oslo

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

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

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| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/5 |
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12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/5

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Publication of decisions by Member States to grant or revoke operating licences pursuant to Article 13(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 on licensing of air carriers (1)

(2006/C 7/05)

NORWAY

Operating licences granted

Category B:   Operating licences including the restriction of Article 5(7)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92

| Name of air carrier | Address of air carrier | Decision effective since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Midtnorsk Helikopter AS | Slottelid |
| N-7650 Verdal |

Name of air carrier

Address of air carrier

Decision effective since

Midtnorsk Helikopter AS

Slottelid

N-7650 Verdal

1.9.2005

Norsk Flytjeneste AS

| Sandefjord lufthavn |
| --- |
| N-3241 Sandefjord |

Sandefjord lufthavn

N-3241 Sandefjord

1.8.2005

Operating licences revoked

Category B:   Operating licences including the restriction of Article 5(7)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92

| Name of air carrier | Address of air carrier | Decision effective since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SAAB Norsk Flytjeneste AS | Sandefjord lufthavn |
| N-3241 Sandefjord |

Name of air carrier

Address of air carrier

Decision effective since

SAAB Norsk Flytjeneste AS

Sandefjord lufthavn

N-3241 Sandefjord

1.8.2005

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(1)  OJ L 240, 24.8.1992, p. 1.

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| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/6 |
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12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/6

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Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

(2006/C 7/06)

Date of adoption:

EFTA State: Iceland

Aid No: Case 55362

Title: Tax and fee concessions in favour of the aluminium smelter Norðurál hf. at Grundartangi, Iceland

Objective: The objective of the aid granted by means of (i) amendments to a previous scheme on tax and fee concessions; and (ii) certain non-notified tax and fee concesisions (forming part of the scheme) is to enhance the attractivenes of the Vesturland region for investment purposes.

Legal basis: The previously existing legal instruments of

Budget/Duration: EUR 88,3 million and 10,7 % aid intensity. The scheme has been permitted to be valid until 31 October 2018.

Form of the aid: Tax and fee concessions

Decision:

| 1. | The EFTA Surveillance Authority does not raise objections to the grant of aid in favour of Norðurál hf. by means of the following (i) non-notified aid measures forming part of a previously approved aid scheme; and (ii) amendments made to such aid scheme:






  — | the maximum corporate income tax of 18 %; |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority does not raise objections to the grant of aid in favour of Norðurál hf. by means of the following (i) non-notified aid measures forming part of a previously approved aid scheme; and (ii) amendments made to such aid scheme:

—

the maximum corporate income tax of 18 %;

| — | the accelerated depreciation of assets; |
| --- | --- |

—

the accelerated depreciation of assets;

| — | the minimum time span of nine years for deducting operating losses; |
| --- | --- |

—

the minimum time span of nine years for deducting operating losses;

| — | the exemption from customs and excise duties on imports or domestic purchase of materials used for the construction of Norðurál hf.; |
| --- | --- |

—

the exemption from customs and excise duties on imports or domestic purchase of materials used for the construction of Norðurál hf.;

| — | deferral from the payment of VAT on imports; |
| --- | --- |

—

deferral from the payment of VAT on imports;

| — | the exemption from excise customs duties on material for the operation of Norðurál hf.; |
| --- | --- |

—

the exemption from excise customs duties on material for the operation of Norðurál hf.;

| — | the tax deferral in respect of funds allocated into a special account and accelerate depreciation of assets purchased for such funds; |
| --- | --- |

—

the tax deferral in respect of funds allocated into a special account and accelerate depreciation of assets purchased for such funds;

| — | the exemption from payment of fees for safety controls of electricity production; |
| --- | --- |

—

the exemption from payment of fees for safety controls of electricity production;

| — | the difference between the statutory amount to be paid for zoning fee and the amount actually paid; and |
| --- | --- |

—

the difference between the statutory amount to be paid for zoning fee and the amount actually paid; and

| — | the non-payment of rent for the increased size of land between 5 February 2005 and 1 January 2006. |
| --- | --- |

—

the non-payment of rent for the increased size of land between 5 February 2005 and 1 January 2006.

| 2. | The state aid involved in the abovementioned measures must be counted towards ceiling fixed in the Appropriate Measure Decision and respect all the conditions set forth herein, including the maximum aid amount of EUR 88,3 million and maximum aid intensity of 10,7 % and the expiry of the application of the Grundartangi Aid Scheme on 8 July 2018. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The state aid involved in the abovementioned measures must be counted towards ceiling fixed in the Appropriate Measure Decision and respect all the conditions set forth herein, including the maximum aid amount of EUR 88,3 million and maximum aid intensity of 10,7 % and the expiry of the application of the Grundartangi Aid Scheme on 8 July 2018.

| 3. | Iceland is requested to submit annual reports regarding the implementation of the aid in accordance with Article 21 in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement in conjunction with Articles 5 and 6 of the Authority's decision 195/04/COL. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Iceland is requested to submit annual reports regarding the implementation of the aid in accordance with Article 21 in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement in conjunction with Articles 5 and 6 of the Authority's decision 195/04/COL.

| 4. | This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Iceland |
| --- | --- |

4.

This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Iceland

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

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry

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| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/7 |
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12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/7

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Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision to propose appropriate measures in relation to a scheme on tax and fee concessions in favour of Norðurál hf. The proposal has been accepted by Iceland.

(2006/C 7/07)

Date of adoption:

EFTA State: Iceland

Aid No: Case 55362

Title: Tax and fee concessions in favour of the aluminium smelter Norðurál hf. at Grundartangi, Iceland

Acceptance of the appropriate measures by the EFTA State: By letter dated 15 July 2005 the Icelandic authorities accepted the appropriate measures proposed by the Authority.

Objective: The objective of the aid granted by means of scheme on tax and fee concessions is to enhance the attractivenes of the Vesturland region for investment purposes.

Legal basis: The legal instruments of

Budget/Duration: EUR 88,3 million and 10,7 % aid intensity. The scheme has been permitted to be valid until 31 October 2018.

Form of the aid: Tax and fee concessions

Decision:

| 1. | The EFTA Surveillance Authority proposes to the Icelandic authorities the following appropriate measures:






  (a) | The authorities shall take any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to ensure that the following aid measures in the Grundartangi Decision, considered above to constitute an aid scheme, do not involve incompatible operating aid:






  — | The right to allocate amounts into a special account pursuant to Article 7.1 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.1 of the Grundartangi Act; |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority proposes to the Icelandic authorities the following appropriate measures:

(a)

The authorities shall take any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to ensure that the following aid measures in the Grundartangi Decision, considered above to constitute an aid scheme, do not involve incompatible operating aid:

—

The right to allocate amounts into a special account pursuant to Article 7.1 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.1 of the Grundartangi Act;

| — | the exemption from net worth tax pursuant to Article 7.2 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.2 of the Grundartangi Act; |
| --- | --- |

—

the exemption from net worth tax pursuant to Article 7.2 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.2 of the Grundartangi Act;

| — | the exemption from Industrial charge and Market charge pursuant to Article 7.3 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.3 of the Grundartangi Act; |
| --- | --- |

—

the exemption from Industrial charge and Market charge pursuant to Article 7.3 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.3 of the Grundartangi Act;

| — | the reduction of stamp duties pursuant to Article 11 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.7 of the Grundartangi Act; and |
| --- | --- |

—

the reduction of stamp duties pursuant to Article 11 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.7 of the Grundartangi Act; and

| — | the special calculation of municipal property tax pursuant to Article 8 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.6 of the Grundartangi Act. |
| --- | --- |

—

the special calculation of municipal property tax pursuant to Article 8 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.6 of the Grundartangi Act.

Measures must be taken to ensure that aid granted on the basis of the abovementioned aid measures under the aid scheme does not exceed the ceiling of EUR 88,3 million in 2003 prices, representing the total amount of aid which may be granted to Norðurál hf. for all three investments, as well as that the aid intensity of 10,7 % — which forms an integral part of the absolute ceiling for the grant of State aid to Norðurál hf. — is not exceeded.

The Icelandic authorities must calculate the aid incurred each year on the basis of the discounted value applying the annual reference rates.

The aid scheme can in no circumstances be applied beyond the date of 31 October 2018 irrespectively of whether the total amount of aid under the above stated ceiling has been granted. Measures must therefore be taken in order to ensure that the aid scheme will expire on 31 October 2018.

| (b) | The authorities shall take any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to abolish incompatible aid resulting from the exemption from dividends withholding tax provided for in Article 7.1 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.1 of the Grundartangi Act and must therefore abolish this provision in its entirety. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

The authorities shall take any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to abolish incompatible aid resulting from the exemption from dividends withholding tax provided for in Article 7.1 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.1 of the Grundartangi Act and must therefore abolish this provision in its entirety.

| 2. | The relevant measures to comply with the appropriate measures must be effective within three months of the date of the adoption of the present decision, unless the Authority agrees to a later date should that be considered objectively necessary and justified by the Authority.
  The Icelandic authorities shall communicate to the Authority the relevant measures it will take to comply with the appropriate measures as soon as possible and in any event not later than six weeks from receipt of this proposal |
| --- | --- |

2.

The relevant measures to comply with the appropriate measures must be effective within three months of the date of the adoption of the present decision, unless the Authority agrees to a later date should that be considered objectively necessary and justified by the Authority.

The Icelandic authorities shall communicate to the Authority the relevant measures it will take to comply with the appropriate measures as soon as possible and in any event not later than six weeks from receipt of this proposal

| 3. | Iceland is requested to submit simplified annual reports regarding the implementation of the aid in accordance with Article 21 in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement in conjunction with Articles 5 and 6 of the Authority's decision 195/04/COL. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Iceland is requested to submit simplified annual reports regarding the implementation of the aid in accordance with Article 21 in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement in conjunction with Articles 5 and 6 of the Authority's decision 195/04/COL.

| 4. | The Authority asks the Icelandic authorities to agree to this proposal for appropriate measures, pursuant to Article 19(1) in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, and to provide the answer within six weeks from receipt of this proposal. |
| --- | --- |

4.

The Authority asks the Icelandic authorities to agree to this proposal for appropriate measures, pursuant to Article 19(1) in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, and to provide the answer within six weeks from receipt of this proposal.

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

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry

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EFTA Standing Committee

| 12.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 7/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.1.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/9

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List of natural mineral waters in Iceland and Norway pursuant to Article 1 of Council Directive 80/777/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters

(2006/C 7/08)

(Annuls and replaces 2005/C 325/12)

LIST OF NATURAL MINERAL WATERS RECOGNISED BY ICELAND

| Trade name | Name of source | Place of exploitation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Icelandic Spring | Jadar spring area | Reykjavik |

Trade name

Name of source

Place of exploitation

Icelandic Spring

Jadar spring area

Reykjavik

LIST OF NATURAL MINERAL WATERS RECOGNISED BY NORWAY

| Trade name | Name of source | Place of exploitation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Farris | Kong Olavs kilde | Larvik |
| Fjellbekk | Ivar Aasen kilde | Volda |
| Fyresdal | Fyresdalkilden | Fyresdal |
| Olden | Blåfjellkilden | Olderdalen |
| Osa | Osakilden | Ilvik/Hardanger |

Trade name

Name of source

Place of exploitation

Farris

Kong Olavs kilde

Larvik

Fjellbekk

Ivar Aasen kilde

Volda

Fyresdal

Fyresdalkilden

Fyresdal

Olden

Blåfjellkilden

Olderdalen

Osa

Osakilden

Ilvik/Hardanger

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