# Jurnalul Oficial C 184/2010

| | ISSN 1830-3668
  doi:10.3000/18303668.C_2010.184.ron |
| --- | --- |
| Jurnalul Oficial
  al Uniunii Europene | C 184 |
| | |
| Ediţia în limba română | Comunicări şi informări | Anul 538 iulie 2010 |

ISSN 1830-3668

doi:10.3000/18303668.C_2010.184.ron

Jurnalul Oficial

al Uniunii Europene

C 184

Ediţia în limba română

Comunicări şi informări

Anul 538 iulie 2010

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| Informarea nr. | Cuprins | Pagina |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Rezoluții, recomandări și avize |
| | RECOMANDĂRI |
| | Banca Centrală Europeană |
| 2010/C 184/01 | Recomandarea Băncii Centrale Europene din 1 iulie 2010 către Consiliul Uniunii Europene cu privire la auditorii externi ai Národná banka Slovenska (BCE/2010/6) | 1 |

Informarea nr.

Cuprins

Pagina

I   Rezoluții, recomandări și avize

RECOMANDĂRI

Banca Centrală Europeană

2010/C 184/01

Recomandarea Băncii Centrale Europene din 1 iulie 2010 către Consiliul Uniunii Europene cu privire la auditorii externi ai Národná banka Slovenska (BCE/2010/6)

1

| | IV   Informări |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMĂRI PROVENIND DE LA INSTITUȚIILE, ORGANELE ȘI ORGANISMELE UNIUNII EUROPENE |
| | Comisia Europeană |
| 2010/C 184/02 | Rata de schimb a monedei euro | 2 |
| | INFORMĂRI PROVENIND DE LA STATELE MEMBRE |
| 2010/C 184/03 | Comunicarea Comisiei în temeiul articolului 16 alineatul (4) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 1008/2008 al Parlamentului European și al Consiliului privind normele comune pentru operarea serviciilor aeriene în Comunitate – Obligații de serviciu public (modificate) pentru servicii aeriene regulate (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2010/C 184/04 | Comunicarea Comisiei în temeiul articolului 17 alineatul (5) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 1008/2008 al Parlamentului European și al Consiliului privind normele comune pentru operarea serviciilor aeriene în Comunitate – Invitație de participare la licitație pentru operarea de servicii aeriene regulate în conformitate cu obligațiile de serviciu public (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| | INFORMĂRI REFERITOARE LA SPAȚIUL ECONOMIC EUROPEAN |
| | Autoritatea de Supraveghere a AELS |
| 2010/C 184/05 | Invitație de a prezenta observații în temeiul articolului 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție cu privire la ajutorul de stat pentru finanțarea unui centru de fitness din cadrul centrului de recreere Kippermoen | 5 |
| 2010/C 184/06 | Invitație de a prezenta observații în temeiul articolului 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție cu privire la ajutorul de stat pentru vânzarea unui teren de către municipalitatea din Asker societății Asker Brygge AS | 20 |

IV   Informări

INFORMĂRI PROVENIND DE LA INSTITUȚIILE, ORGANELE ȘI ORGANISMELE UNIUNII EUROPENE

Comisia Europeană

2010/C 184/02

Rata de schimb a monedei euro

2

INFORMĂRI PROVENIND DE LA STATELE MEMBRE

2010/C 184/03

Comunicarea Comisiei în temeiul articolului 16 alineatul (4) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 1008/2008 al Parlamentului European și al Consiliului privind normele comune pentru operarea serviciilor aeriene în Comunitate – Obligații de serviciu public (modificate) pentru servicii aeriene regulate (
  1
  )

1

3

2010/C 184/04

Comunicarea Comisiei în temeiul articolului 17 alineatul (5) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 1008/2008 al Parlamentului European și al Consiliului privind normele comune pentru operarea serviciilor aeriene în Comunitate – Invitație de participare la licitație pentru operarea de servicii aeriene regulate în conformitate cu obligațiile de serviciu public (
  1
  )

1

4

INFORMĂRI REFERITOARE LA SPAȚIUL ECONOMIC EUROPEAN

Autoritatea de Supraveghere a AELS

2010/C 184/05

Invitație de a prezenta observații în temeiul articolului 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție cu privire la ajutorul de stat pentru finanțarea unui centru de fitness din cadrul centrului de recreere Kippermoen

5

2010/C 184/06

Invitație de a prezenta observații în temeiul articolului 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție cu privire la ajutorul de stat pentru vânzarea unui teren de către municipalitatea din Asker societății Asker Brygge AS

20

| | V   Anunțuri |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURI ADMINISTRATIVE |
| | Comisia Europeană |
| 2010/C 184/07 | Cerere de propuneri – EAC/10/10 – Programul de învățare de-a lungul vieții – Sprijin pentru două concursuri de producții audiovizuale scurte destinate promovării învățării limbilor străine | 29 |
| | PROCEDURI REFERITOARE LA PUNEREA ÎN APLICARE A POLITICII ÎN DOMENIUL CONCURENȚEI |
| | Comisia Europeană |
| 2010/C 184/08 | Notificare prealabilă a unei concentrări (Cazul COMP/M.5908 – Honeywell/Sperian) (
  1
  ) | 31 |
| | ALTE ACTE |
| | Comisia Europeană |
| 2010/C 184/09 | Publicarea unei cereri în temeiul articolului 6 alineatul (2) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 510/2006 al Consiliului privind protecția indicațiilor geografice și a denumirilor de origine ale produselor agricole și alimentare | 32 |

V   Anunțuri

PROCEDURI ADMINISTRATIVE

Comisia Europeană

2010/C 184/07

Cerere de propuneri – EAC/10/10 – Programul de învățare de-a lungul vieții – Sprijin pentru două concursuri de producții audiovizuale scurte destinate promovării învățării limbilor străine

29

PROCEDURI REFERITOARE LA PUNEREA ÎN APLICARE A POLITICII ÎN DOMENIUL CONCURENȚEI

Comisia Europeană

2010/C 184/08

Notificare prealabilă a unei concentrări (Cazul COMP/M.5908 – Honeywell/Sperian) (
  1
  )

1

31

ALTE ACTE

Comisia Europeană

2010/C 184/09

Publicarea unei cereri în temeiul articolului 6 alineatul (2) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 510/2006 al Consiliului privind protecția indicațiilor geografice și a denumirilor de origine ale produselor agricole și alimentare

32

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text cu relevanță pentru SEE |

---

(1)   Text cu relevanță pentru SEE

1

| RO | |
| --- | --- |

RO

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I Rezoluții, recomandări și avize

RECOMANDĂRI

Banca Centrală Europeană

| 8.7.2010 | RO | Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene | C 184/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

RO

Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene

C 184/1

---

RECOMANDAREA BĂNCII CENTRALE EUROPENE

din 1 iulie 2010

către Consiliul Uniunii Europene cu privire la auditorii externi ai Národná banka Slovenska

(BCE/2010/6)

2010/C 184/01

CONSILIUL GUVERNATORILOR BĂNCII CENTRALE EUROPENE,

având în vedere Statutul Sistemului European al Băncilor Centrale și al Băncii Centrale Europene, în special articolul 27.1,

întrucât:

| (1) | Auditul conturilor Băncii Centrale Europene (BCE) și ale băncilor centrale naționale este efectuat de auditori externi independenți recomandați de Consiliul guvernatorilor BCE și aprobați de Consiliul Uniunii Europene. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Auditul conturilor Băncii Centrale Europene (BCE) și ale băncilor centrale naționale este efectuat de auditori externi independenți recomandați de Consiliul guvernatorilor BCE și aprobați de Consiliul Uniunii Europene.

| (2) | Mandatul actualilor auditori externi ai Národná banka Slovenska s-a încheiat după efectuarea auditului pentru exercițiul financiar 2009. Prin urmare, este necesară desemnarea unor auditori externi începând cu exercițiul financiar 2010. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Mandatul actualilor auditori externi ai Národná banka Slovenska s-a încheiat după efectuarea auditului pentru exercițiul financiar 2009. Prin urmare, este necesară desemnarea unor auditori externi începând cu exercițiul financiar 2010.

| (3) | Národná banka Slovenska a selectat Ernst & Young Slovacia, spol. s r.o. drept auditor extern pentru exercițiile financiare 2010-2014, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Národná banka Slovenska a selectat Ernst & Young Slovacia, spol. s r.o. drept auditor extern pentru exercițiile financiare 2010-2014,

ADOPTĂ PREZENTA RECOMANDARE:

Se recomandă ca Ernst & Young Slovacia, spol. s r.o. să fie desemnată auditor extern al Národná banka Slovenska pentru exercițiile financiare 2010-2014.

Adoptată la Frankfurt pe Main, 1 iulie 2010.

Președintele BCE

Jean-Claude TRICHET

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IV Informări

INFORMĂRI PROVENIND DE LA INSTITUȚIILE, ORGANELE ȘI ORGANISMELE UNIUNII EUROPENE

Comisia Europeană

| 8.7.2010 | RO | Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene | C 184/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

RO

Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene

C 184/2

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Rata de schimb a monedei euro (1)

7 iulie 2010

2010/C 184/02

1 euro =

| | Moneda | Rata de schimb |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | dolar american | 1,2567 |
| JPY | yen japonez | 109,56 |
| DKK | coroana daneză | 7,4532 |
| GBP | lira sterlină | 0,83190 |
| SEK | coroana suedeză | 9,6160 |
| CHF | franc elvețian | 1,3312 |
| ISK | coroana islandeză | |
| NOK | coroana norvegiană | 8,1010 |
| BGN | leva bulgărească | 1,9558 |
| CZK | coroana cehă | 25,548 |
| EEK | coroana estoniană | 15,6466 |
| HUF | forint maghiar | 284,47 |
| LTL | litas lituanian | 3,4528 |
| LVL | lats leton | 0,7095 |
| PLN | zlot polonez | 4,1220 |
| RON | leu românesc nou | 4,2318 |
| TRY | lira turcească | 1,9632 |
| AUD | dolar australian | 1,4821 |
| CAD | dolar canadian | 1,3311 |
| HKD | dolar Hong Kong | 9,7913 |
| NZD | dolar neozeelandez | 1,8160 |
| SGD | dolar Singapore | 1,7480 |
| KRW | won sud-coreean | 1 536,73 |
| ZAR | rand sud-african | 9,6505 |
| CNY | yuan renminbi chinezesc | 8,5169 |
| HRK | kuna croată | 7,1913 |
| IDR | rupia indoneziană | 11 408,78 |
| MYR | ringgit Malaiezia | 4,0459 |
| PHP | peso Filipine | 58,512 |
| RUB | rubla rusească | 39,1503 |
| THB | baht thailandez | 40,818 |
| BRL | real brazilian | 2,2422 |
| MXN | peso mexican | 16,3773 |
| INR | rupie indiană | 59,1290 |

Moneda

Rata de schimb

USD

dolar american

1,2567

JPY

yen japonez

109,56

DKK

coroana daneză

7,4532

GBP

lira sterlină

0,83190

SEK

coroana suedeză

9,6160

CHF

franc elvețian

1,3312

ISK

coroana islandeză

NOK

coroana norvegiană

8,1010

BGN

leva bulgărească

1,9558

CZK

coroana cehă

25,548

EEK

coroana estoniană

15,6466

HUF

forint maghiar

284,47

LTL

litas lituanian

3,4528

LVL

lats leton

0,7095

PLN

zlot polonez

4,1220

RON

leu românesc nou

4,2318

TRY

lira turcească

1,9632

AUD

dolar australian

1,4821

CAD

dolar canadian

1,3311

HKD

dolar Hong Kong

9,7913

NZD

dolar neozeelandez

1,8160

SGD

dolar Singapore

1,7480

KRW

won sud-coreean

1 536,73

ZAR

rand sud-african

9,6505

CNY

yuan renminbi chinezesc

8,5169

HRK

kuna croată

7,1913

IDR

rupia indoneziană

11 408,78

MYR

ringgit Malaiezia

4,0459

PHP

peso Filipine

58,512

RUB

rubla rusească

39,1503

THB

baht thailandez

40,818

BRL

real brazilian

2,2422

MXN

peso mexican

16,3773

INR

rupie indiană

59,1290

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(1)  Sursă: rata de schimb de referință publicată de către Banca Centrală Europeană.

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INFORMĂRI PROVENIND DE LA STATELE MEMBRE

| 8.7.2010 | RO | Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene | C 184/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

RO

Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene

C 184/3

---

Comunicarea Comisiei în temeiul articolului 16 alineatul (4) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 1008/2008 al Parlamentului European și al Consiliului privind normele comune pentru operarea serviciilor aeriene în Comunitate

Obligații de serviciu public (modificate) pentru servicii aeriene regulate

(Text cu relevanță pentru SEE)

2010/C 184/03

| Stat membru | Regatul Unit |
| --- | --- |
| Rutele vizate | Oban–Coll
  Oban–Colonsay
  Oban–Tiree
  Coll–Tiree |
| Data intrării în vigoare a obligațiilor de serviciu public | 2 martie 2007 |
| Adresa de la care se pot obține textul, precum și informațiile și/sau documentele pertinente referitoare la obligațiile de serviciu public modificate | Argyll and Bute Council |
| Council Offices |
| Kilmory |
| Lochgilphead |
| Argyll |
| PA31 8RT |
| Scotland |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tel. +44 1546604141 |
| Fax +44 1546606443 |
| (Persoană de contact: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services) |
| E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk |

Stat membru

Regatul Unit

Rutele vizate

Oban–Coll

Oban–Colonsay

Oban–Tiree

Coll–Tiree

Data intrării în vigoare a obligațiilor de serviciu public

2 martie 2007

Adresa de la care se pot obține textul, precum și informațiile și/sau documentele pertinente referitoare la obligațiile de serviciu public modificate

Argyll and Bute Council

Council Offices

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8RT

Scotland

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel. +44 1546604141

Fax +44 1546606443

(Persoană de contact: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services)

E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk

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| 8.7.2010 | RO | Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene | C 184/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

RO

Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene

C 184/4

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Comunicarea Comisiei în temeiul articolului 17 alineatul (5) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 1008/2008 al Parlamentului European și al Consiliului privind normele comune pentru operarea serviciilor aeriene în Comunitate

Invitație de participare la licitație pentru operarea de servicii aeriene regulate în conformitate cu obligațiile de serviciu public

(Text cu relevanță pentru SEE)

2010/C 184/04

| Stat membru | Regatul Unit |
| --- | --- |
| Rutele vizate | Oban–Coll
  Oban–Colonsay
  Oban–Tiree
  Coll–Tiree |
| Perioada de valabilitate a contractului | 1 octombrie 2010-31 martie 2014 |
| Data-limită de depunere a ofertelor | 2 luni de la data publicării prezentului anunț |
| Adresa de la care se pot obține textul invitației de participare la licitație, precum și informațiile și/sau documentele pertinente referitoare la licitația publică și la obligațiile de serviciu public | Argyll and Bute Council |
| Council Offices |
| Kilmory |
| Lochgilphead |
| Argyll |
| PA31 8RT |
| Scotland |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tel. +44 1546604141 |
| Fax +44 1546606443 |
| (Persoană de contact: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services) |
| E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk |

Stat membru

Regatul Unit

Rutele vizate

Oban–Coll

Oban–Colonsay

Oban–Tiree

Coll–Tiree

Perioada de valabilitate a contractului

1 octombrie 2010-31 martie 2014

Data-limită de depunere a ofertelor

2 luni de la data publicării prezentului anunț

Adresa de la care se pot obține textul invitației de participare la licitație, precum și informațiile și/sau documentele pertinente referitoare la licitația publică și la obligațiile de serviciu public

Argyll and Bute Council

Council Offices

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8RT

Scotland

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel. +44 1546604141

Fax +44 1546606443

(Persoană de contact: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services)

E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk

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INFORMĂRI REFERITOARE LA SPAȚIUL ECONOMIC EUROPEAN

Autoritatea de Supraveghere a AELS

| 8.7.2010 | RO | Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene | C 184/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

RO

Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene

C 184/5

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Invitație de a prezenta observații în temeiul articolului 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție cu privire la ajutorul de stat pentru finanțarea unui centru de fitness din cadrul centrului de recreere Kippermoen

2010/C 184/05

Prin Decizia nr. 537/09/COL din 16 decembrie 2009, reprodusă în versiunea lingvistică autentică în paginile care urmează acestui rezumat, Autoritatea AELS de Supraveghere a inițiat procedura prevăzută la articolul 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție. Autoritățile norvegiene au fost informate prin intermediul unei copii a deciziei respective.

Prin prezenta, Autoritatea AELS de Supraveghere invită statele AELS, statele membre ale UE și părțile interesate să prezinte observații privind măsura în cauză, în termen de o lună de la data publicării prezentei comunicări, la adresa:

| EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| --- |
| Registry |
| Rue Belliard 35 |
| 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

EFTA Surveillance Authority

Registry

Rue Belliard 35

1040 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Observațiile vor fi comunicate autorităților norvegiene. Păstrarea confidențialității privind identitatea părții interesate care prezintă observațiile poate fi solicitată în scris, precizându-se motivele care stau la baza solicitării.

REZUMAT

La 27 ianuarie 2009, autoritățile norvegiene au notificat din motive de certitudine juridică finanțarea centrului de fitness din cadrul centrului de recreere Kippermoen (denumit în continuare „KLC”), considerând că această măsură nu constituie ajutor de stat. Autoritatea a trimis două solicitări de informații la care autoritățile norvegiene au răspuns.

KLC a fost înființat în anii 1970. Acesta este situat în orașul Mosjøen care face parte din municipalitatea Vefsn, în departamentul Nordland, al doilea departament ca situare în nordul Norvegiei. Centrul este deținut de municipalitatea din Vefsn și nu este organizat ca o entitate juridică separată.

Inițial, centrul consta într-o piscină interioară, un solar, o sală de sport și un centru de fitness. În 1997, KLC (inclusiv centrul de fitness) a fost modernizat și extins. Centrul de fitness a fost extins din nou în 2006 și 2007.

Ajutor nou sau existent

În măsura în care finanțarea centrului de fitness din cadrul KLC implică acordarea unor ajutoare de stat, întrebarea este dacă această măsură constituie un ajutor nou sau unul existent.

KLC a fost finanțat direct de către municipalitatea din Vefsn deoarece aceasta a fost înființată6 la începutul anilor șaptezeci. În afară de aceasta, încă de la înființare, KLC a fost finanțat de veniturile generate din diverse taxe de utilizare stabilite de municipalitate. Această metodă de finanțare exista înainte de intrarea în vigoare a Acordului privind SEE la 1 ianuarie 1994 și ar putea, din aceste motive, să constituie un ajutor existent în sensul articolului 1 litera (b) punctul (i) din partea II a Protocolului 3.

Deși, în conformitate cu informațiile furnizate, extinderea din 2006/2007 trebuia să fi fost finanțată pe baza aceluiași mecanism de finanțare ca și în cazul costurilor de funcționare, Autoritatea nu a primit informații suficient de specifice cu privire la modul în care a fost finanțată extinderea din 1997.

În plus, sistemul de emitere a biletelor a fost schimbat de la intrarea în vigoare a Acordului privind SEE. Modificările par să fi afectat prețurile, tipurile de bilete oferite și sistemul de alocare a veniturilor obținute din vânzarea biletelor. Autoritatea nu a primit informații specifice cu privire la aceste evoluții și, în consecință, nu a fost în măsură să excludă faptul că aceste schimbări implică o formă de ajutor nou.

Referitor la beneficiar, în conformitate cu informațiile puse la dispoziția Autorității, centrul de fitness a fost inițial echipat modest în ceea ce privește instalațiile. Întrebarea este dacă instalațiile sportive existente în anii 1970 au fost doar modernizate în conformitate cu noile cerințe sau dacă actualul centru de fitness trebuie considerat ca o nouă instalație. Autoritatea consideră că actualul centru de fitness este nu numai mult mai mare, dar, de asemenea, oferă o gamă mult mai largă de activități de fitness decât vechiul centru de fitness modest echipat. În acest sens, Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la faptul că extinderile din 1997 și/sau 2006/2007, care au avut loc după intrarea în vigoare a Acordului privind SEE, au schimbat caracterul operațiunilor centrului de fitness. În conformitate cu jurisprudența, extinderea domeniului de aplicare a activităților nu implică, în general, faptul că măsura presupune un ajutor nou. Cu toate acestea, având în vedere aparentele schimbări semnificative și extinderea activităților centrului de fitness (1), Autoritatea nu a fost în măsură să excludă faptul că s-ar fi putut schimba clasificarea ajutorului.

Prezența ajutorului de stat

Avantaje care implică resurse de stat acordate unei întreprinderi

Municipalitatea din Vefsn acoperă deficitul anual al KLC în ansamblul său. Resursele municipale constituie resurse de stat în sensul articolului 61 din Acordul privind SEE (2). Centrul de fitness a fost finanțat cu taxele plătite de utilizatori, stabilite și alocate de municipalitate, astfel încât are un excedent, în timp ce restul KLC cunoaște un deficit. Datorită practicii de a nu menține o separare clară a contabilităților, Autoritatea nu poate exclude faptul că au fost efectuate subvenții încrucișate ale centrului de fitness.

De asemenea, centrul de fitness a primit fonduri de la Norsk Tipping AS, o companie de jocuri de noroc deținută integral de statul norvegian și aflată sub jurisdicția Ministerului Culturii și Cultelor (3). Fondurile provenite din jocurile de noroc sunt colectate, administrate și distribuite sub controlul statului și, în consecință, reprezintă resurse de stat în sensul articolului 61 alineatul (1) din Acordul privind SEE.

În plus, este posibil ca centrul de fitness să fi fost finanțat cu resurse provenite de la departamentul Nordland.

Centrul de fitness care face parte din KLC funcționează în mare măsură ca un centru de fitness normal și, în această privință, pare să constituie o întreprindere. Deși autoritățile norvegiene au argumentat că nu este acordat niciun ajutor de stat centrului de fitness în sensul jurisprudenței Altmark, în acest stadiu, Autoritatea nu poate exclude faptul că finanțarea centrului de fitness din cadrul KLC îi conferă acestuia un avantaj.

Denaturarea concurenței și efectul asupra schimburilor comerciale între părțile contractante

Se pare că avantajul conferit centrului de fitness din cadrul KLC amenință să denatureze concurența pe piața centrelor de fitness. Cu toate acestea, Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la chestiunea dacă măsura amenință să afecteze comerțul în interiorul SEE, în sensul articolului 61 alineatul (1) din Acordul privind SEE. În general, centrele de fitness par să furnizeze un serviciu care, prin însăși natura sa, are o zonă limitată de atracție. Centrul de fitness din cadrul KLC nu pare să fie atât de deosebit încât să atragă vizitatori care locuiesc la distanță. Acesta este situat în al doilea departament ca situare în nordul Norvegiei, la aproximativ 60 km pe șosea până la cea mai apropiată frontieră cu Suedia. Cu toate acestea, câteva întreprinderi implicate în comerțul în interiorul SEE sunt active pe piața norvegiană a centrelor de fitness. Pe de altă parte, se pare ca aceste întreprinderi au tendința de a se stabili în zonele mai dens populate din Norvegia.

Compatibilitatea ajutorului

Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la chestiunea dacă funcționarea a ceea ce, într-o mare măsură, pare să fie un studio de fitness obișnuit poate reprezenta un serviciu de interes economic general în sensul articolului 59 alineatul (2) din Acordul privind SEE.

În plus, Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la chestiunea dacă finanțarea centrului de fitness poate fi compatibilă cu Acordul privind SEE pe baza derogării culturale prevăzută la articolul 61 alineatul (3) litera (c) din Acordul privind SEE, astfel cum au susținut autoritățile norvegiene.

În cele din urmă, Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la chestiunea dacă finanțarea extinderilor din 1997 și 2006/2007 poate fi, în parte sau în totalitate, compatibilă cu funcționarea Acordului privind SEE în temeiul articolului 61 alineatul (3) litera (c), precum și cu capitolele privind ajutorul regional din orientările Autorității.

Concluzie

În lumina considerațiilor de mai sus, Autoritatea a decis inițierea procedurii oficiale de investigare în conformitate cu articolul 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție cu privire la fondurile acordate de municipalitatea Vefsn centrului de fitness din cadrul KLC. Părțile interesate sunt invitate să își prezinte observațiile în termen de o lună de la publicarea prezentei decizii în Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene.

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 537/09/COL

of 16 December 2009

to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement with regard to the financing of the fitness centre at the Kippermoen Leisure Centre

(Norway)

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY (4),

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (5), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice (6), in particular to Article 24 thereof,

Having regard to Article 1(2) of Part I and Articles 4(4) and 6 of Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement (7),

Having regard to the Authority’s Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement (8), and in particular the Chapters on Public service compensation (9) and National Regional Aid (10) thereof,

Having regard to the Authority’s Decision of 14 July 2004 on the implementing provisions referred to under Article 27 of Part II of Protocol 3 (11),

Whereas:

I.   FACTS

1.   Procedure

By letter dated 27 January 2009, the Norwegian authorities notified a measure financing the publicly owned fitness centre at the Kippermoen Leisure Centre (KLC) (Kippermoen Idrettssenter), pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3. The letter was registered by the Authority the 28 January 2009 (Event No 506341).

By email dated 3 March 2009 (Event No 511153), the Norwegian Association for Fitness Centres (NAFC) (Norsk Treningssenterforbund) submitted comments to the notification.

By letter dated 27 March 2009 (Event No 511172), the Authority forwarded the comments from NAFC to the Norwegian authorities and requested additional information. By letter dated 29 May 2009 (Event No 520013), the Norwegian authorities replied to the information request. By letter dated 29 July 2009 (Event No 525457), the Authority requested additional information from the Norwegian authorities. By letter dated 9 September 2009 (Event No 529846), the Norwegian authorities replied to the information request.

The Authority and the Norwegian authorities discussed the notification in a meeting in Oslo on 16 September 2009. By email dated 28 September 2009, the Authority requested further information and clarifications, to which the Norwegian authorities replied by email dated 29 September 2009 (the two emails are archived as Event No 531832).

2.   The KLC

2.1.   
  Overview of the development of the KLC

The KLC was established in the 1970s. It is located in the city of Mosjøen which is part of the municipality of Vefsn, in the county of Nordland. The centre is owned by the municipality and is not organised as a separate legal entity.

Initially, the centre consisted of two separate buildings, one hall encompassing an indoor swimming pool with a solarium and a sports hall. Furthermore, the KLC housed a modestly equipped fitness centre.

The two halls of the KLC were managed separately until 1992, when the department of culture at Vefsn municipality started coordinating the management of the two halls. In the same year, the municipality of Vefsn initiated a project in cooperation with the county municipality of Nordland aiming to increase the physical activity of the general population in the county.

In 1997, as a consequence of a broadening of the cooperation with the county municipality under the so-called FYSAK programme, Vefsn municipality arranged for an expansion and renovation of the entire KLC, including the fitness centre.

In 2006 and 2007, the fitness centre was expanded with an annexe (Mellombygningen) linking together the existing buildings of the KLC. Furthermore, squash courts were established at the KLC. Nowadays, the KLC comprises a combined football and multi-purpose hall (Mosjøhallen) and outdoors facilities such as a toboggan run and a shooting range, in addition to the sports hall and the hall with indoor swimming pool established in the early 1970s and the fitness centre. However, the notification submitted by the Norwegian authorities only concerns the fitness centre.

2.2.   
  The financing of the KLC and its fitness centre

Since its foundation in 1970s, the municipality of Vefsn has financed the KLC over the municipal budget. Moreover, since its foundation, the KLC has been financed by the revenues generated from fees levied on users. The prices are set by decisions of the municipal council of Vefsn. At the present time, individual users are charged a fee for the use of the fitness centre, squash courts, swimming pool and the solarium, and can choose among different types of season tickets and single tickets granting access to the various facilities. The Norwegian authorities have explained that the current system of allocation of ticket revenue entails that all revenue generated from the sale of all-access season tickets is allocated to the fitness centre. The revenue stemming from the various single tickets, including those granting access to the fitness centre, is allocated to the other facilities at the KLC. Groups of users, like local schools, seem to be charged for the use of the facilities at the KLC on a cost basis, where the compensation paid seems to be allocated to the relevant facility. In the years 2006-08, the total annual revenue generated by user fees represented between NOK 3,6 and 3,7 million. The Norwegian authorities state that approximately NOK 2,6 million (approximately 70 %) of this revenue has been allocated to the fitness centre (12).

From 2000, the municipality of Vefsn intended that the fitness centre part of the KLC was to be self-financed in the sense that the revenue generated from the fees levied on users of the fitness centre should cover all its costs. In order to ensure that the fitness centre part of the KLC is self-financed, the municipality has attempted to keep separate accounts for the fitness centre and the other activities of the KLC, where the fitness centre carries a proportionate share of common costs. However, a complete separation of accounts does not yet seem to be fully implemented (13).

According to the annual accounts of 2006-08, the fitness centre at the KLC has operated with an annual profit of between NOK 700 000 and 900 000 on account of the revenue generated by the user fees. In contrast to the fitness centre, the KLC as a whole, operates with an annual deficit. This annual deficit is covered by the operating budget of the municipality of Vefsn.

According to the NAFC, the KLC has received grants from the county municipality of Nordland. Despite the request made by the Authority, the Norwegian authorities have not provided any information regarding whether, and in that case how, these funds have been allocated to KLC and whether they were spent for the fitness centre or for other premises within the KLC.

The two expansions of the whole KLC in 1997 and 2006/07 have been financed through various sources. Regarding the 1997 expansion, it was mainly financed by a NOK 10 million loan. The Authority received no information on the identity of the lender, the terms of the loan or how it was serviced (14). Additionally, the expansion seems to have been financed by gaming funds granted by Norsk Tipping AS
   (15).

The 2006/07 expansion was partly financed through a NOK 10 million bank loan with an interest based on three year government bonds plus 1 % (16), a proportionate part of which was intended to be serviced by the fitness centre. The expansion was further financed by NOK 4 million of gaming funds from Norsk Tipping AS, which were mainly, but apparently not exclusively, used to finance the expansion of other parts of the KLC (17).

2.3.   
  Legal basis for the financing of the KLC

The legal basis for the financing of the KLC including the fitness centre, seems to be decisions made by the municipal council of Vefsn. According to the budgetary decisions made by Vefsn municipality, ever since the KLC was established in 1970s the operating costs of the KLC have been partly covered by the municipality’s operating budget. The two expansions of 1997 and 2006/07 also seem to have been undertaken in accordance with decisions made by the municipality of Vefsn.

3.   Comments by the Norwegian authorities

The Norwegian authorities argue that the fitness centre is run as a part of the municipal healthcare service and provides a service of general economic interest. Since 1997, the municipality of Vefsn has operated the KLC under the FYSAK programme — a programme managed by the county municipality of Nordland in order to aid the municipalities of Nordland in fulfilling their obligations to promote health in accordance with the Municipal Health Service Act (18). According to its Article 2(1) the municipality has a legal obligation to provide ‘necessary healthcare’ to anyone residing or temporarily staying within the area of the municipality. According to Articles 1(2) and 1(4), the Norwegian municipalities shall prevent and treat diseases, injuries and other health problems, and when providing such services, the municipalities shall promote public health, public well-being and the quality of the general social environment.

The Norwegian authorities hold that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC merely represents compensation for services rendered by the fitness centre which is provided in line with the Altmark criteria (19). Consequently, it does not constitute aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

In any event, the Norwegian authorities argue that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC, as far as it could be held to constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, must be considered compatible either as a public service compensation on the basis of Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement, or alternatively as a cultural measure on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

4.   Comments from the NAFC

The NAFC has submitted comments to the notification. The association holds that the fitness centre at the KLC has received State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement. As to the sources of such aid, the NAFC claims that the fitness centre has been allocated State resources from the municipality of Vefsn, Norsk Tipping AS and the county municipality of Nordland.

The NAFC argues that the aid can neither be held to be compatible with the functioning of the EEA on the basis of Article 61(3)(c), nor constitute a service of general economic interest within the meaning of Article 59(2). Finally, the NAFC holds that the aid exceeds the de minimis threshold.

II.   ASSESSMENT

1.   Scope of the State aid assessment in this Decision

As mentioned above under Section I.2.2, the fitness centre at the KLC has received financing from different sources. It has been financed by the municipality of Vefsn on a regular basis since its establishment. Furthermore, the KLC has received funds from Norsk Tipping AS whereby the Norwegian authorities have not excluded that some of these funds were allocated to the fitness centre. Finally, the fitness centre has allegedly received funds stemming from the county municipality of Nordland.

1.1.   
  Funds stemming from the county municipality of Nordland

The Authority received no information or documentation regarding the funds potentially received from the county municipality of Nordland. The Norwegian authorities are invited either to confirm that the fitness centre at the KLC did not receive any funds from the county municipality of Nordland or to provide the necessary information for the assessment of the State aid character of those funds and of the compatibility with the rules of the EEA Agreement.

1.2.   
  Funds stemming from Norsk Tipping AS

The funds stemming from Norsk Tipping AS are gaming funds collected, administered and distributed on the basis of the Gaming Act from 1992 that entered into force on 1 January 1993 (20), before the entry into force of the EEA Agreement. The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs has the general responsibility for the operation of Norsk Tipping AS, the company entrusted with the administration of the gaming funds.

The profit generated by the activities of Norsk Tipping AS was originally distributed by thirds: a third for sporting purposes, a third for cultural purposes and a third for scientific purposes (21). By Act No 37 of 21 June 2002, the distribution formula was amended to the effect that the profits were to be distributed equally between sports and cultural objectives.

In 2003, a bill was passed that gave Norsk Tipping AS an exclusive right to operate slot machines. In that connection, a new distribution formula set at 18 % the allocation to non-sports related NGOs, 45,5 % for sports and 36,5 % for culture.

With reference to the case law cited in Section II,1.3 below, the Authority considers that the introduction of a new group of recipients does not affect the classification of aid granted to culture and sports (22).

Accordingly, the Authority considers the activities of Norsk Tipping AS to constitute an existing system of State aid within the meaning of the provisions of the EEA Agreement.

Although Norsk Tipping AS only granted financing to the fitness centre at the KLC in 1997 and 2006/07, the Authority considers that it benefited from the application of an existing system of State aid. Individual grants under an existing system do not qualify as new aid within the meaning of Article 1(c) of Part II of Protocol 3.

Thus, based on the above, the Authority considers that any gaming funds potentially allocated to the fitness centre at the KLC in connection with the 1997 or 2006/07 expansions are grants stemming from a system of existing aid within the meaning of Article 62 of the EEA Agreement. For that reason, the compatibility with the functioning of the EEA Agreement of the grant of gaming funds from Norsk Tipping AS to the fitness centre at the KLC is not assessed in this Decision.

1.3.   
  Funds stemming from the municipality of Vefsn

Insofar as the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC with resources from the municipality of Vefsn involves the grant of State aid, the question is whether this measure represents new or existing aid.

The KLC has been financed by the municipality of Vefsn since it was established in the early seventies. The annual deficit of the KLC has been covered by the municipal operating budget. In addition to this, the KLC has, ever since it was established, been financed by the revenue generated from various user fees, determined by the municipality. This method of financing was in place before the entry into force of the EEA Agreement on 1 January 1994, and would for these reasons as such seem to constitute existing aid within the meaning of Article 1(b)(i) of Part II of Protocol 3.

It follows from Article 1(c) to the same Protocol that alterations to existing aid constitute new aid. Moreover, it follows from the case law that where such alterations affect the actual substance of the original scheme the latter may be transformed into a new scheme. There can be no question of such a substantive alteration where the new element is clearly severable from the initial scheme (23). In this regard, it is worth noting that the emergence of new aid or the alteration of existing aid cannot be assessed according to the scale of the aid or, in particular, its amount in financial terms at any moment in the life of the undertaking if the aid is provided under earlier statutory provisions which remain unaltered. Whether aid may be classified as new aid or as alteration of existing aid must be determined by reference to the provisions providing for it (24).

Thus, the qualification of the financing mechanism as existing aid does not mean that the financing of an expansion or alteration of the KLC necessarily would be considered as existing aid. On the contrary, alterations that are not severable from the existing scheme and that affect its substance could entail that the scheme in its entirety is considered as new aid.

Regarding the financing of the fitness centre, the KLC was established in the 1970s, and has primarily been financed by the operating budget of the municipality of Vefsn and allocation of revenue generated by user fees. The method of financing the KLC seems to have been established by decisions of the municipal council of Vefsn in the early 1970s before it was constructed, and has essentially remained unchanged since then. The debts incurred by the 2006/07 expansion were supposed to be serviced in line with this established method of financing, and accordingly the method of financing as such does not seem to have changed within the meaning of the above referenced case law. However, the Authority has not received sufficiently specific information on how the expansion of 1997 was financed. The Authority notes that the specific circumstances relating to the legal basis for the expansion and how the expansion was financed could represent changes entailing that it should be considered as alterations of existing aid.

Furthermore, the ticketing system has been changed since the entry into force of the EEA Agreement. The changes seem to have affected the price, the types of tickets offered and the system of allocation of ticket revenue. The Authority has not been provided with specific information concerning these developments, and has accordingly not been able to exclude that these changes involve a form of new aid.

Regarding the beneficiary, as far as the premises are concerned, according to the information made available to the Authority, the fitness centre was initially modestly equipped. The question is whether the sports facilities existing in the 1970s have been merely upgraded in accordance with new demands or whether the current fitness centre must be considered as a new facility. It is the Authority’s understanding that the current fitness centre is not only significantly bigger but it also offers a much broader range of fitness activities than the old modestly equipped fitness centre. In this respect, the Authority has doubts as to whether the expansions of 1997 and/or 2006/07, which took place after the entry into force of the EEA Agreement, changed the character of the operations of the fitness centre. According to case law, the enlargement of the scope of activities does generally not imply that the measure involves new aid. Nevertheless, given the apparently significant changes and expansion in the activities of the fitness centre (25) the Authority has not been able to exclude that the classification of the aid could have changed.

1.4.   
  Conclusion — scope of the State aid assessment in this Decision

Based on the lack of information regarding the funds that have allegedly been granted by the county municipality of Nordland to the fitness centre at the KLC, and the existing aid nature of the grants from Norsk Tipping AS, the following State aid assessment is confined to the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC with resources stemming from the municipality of Vefsn.

2.   State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement

Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any aid granted by EC Member States, EFTA States or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Contracting Parties, be incompatible with the functioning of this Agreement.’

It follows from this provision that, for State aid within the meaning of the EEA Agreement to be present, the following conditions must be met:

| — | the aid must be granted through State resources, |
| --- | --- |

—

the aid must be granted through State resources,

| — | the aid must favour certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, i.e. the measure must confer a selective economic advantage upon the recipient, |
| --- | --- |

—

the aid must favour certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, i.e. the measure must confer a selective economic advantage upon the recipient,

| — | the recipient must constitute an undertaking within the meaning of the EEA Agreement, |
| --- | --- |

—

the recipient must constitute an undertaking within the meaning of the EEA Agreement,

| — | the aid must threaten to distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties. |
| --- | --- |

—

the aid must threaten to distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties.

2.1.   
  Presence of State resources

Presence of State resources

The measure must involve the consumption of State resources and/or be granted by the State. The State for the purpose of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement covers all bodies of the state administration, from the central government to the municipality level or the lowest administrative level as well as public undertakings and bodies.

The municipality of Vefsn covers the annual deficit of the KLC as a whole. Municipal resources are State resources within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement (26).

26

From 2006 to 2008, the fitness centre at the KLC has operated with an annual surplus, which stems from the revenue generated by user fees (27). On the other hand, the KLC as a whole, has run with an annual deficit that has been covered by the operating budget of the municipality of Vefsn. The Authority notes that the municipality of Vefsn controls the ticketing system at the KLC; the prices, the types of tickets offered and the system of allocation of ticket revenue is determined by the municipal council. If the municipality allocates ticket revenues to the fitness centre beyond those collected from the actual users of the premises of the fitness centre, these ticket revenues will qualify as State resources within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. A system of allocation of ticket revenue, under the complete control of public authorities, can involve State aid where the principles of allocation do not correspond to the customers’ use of the different facilities.

27

The criteria applied for the allocation of revenue generated by the sale of tickets granting admission to the KLC do not appear to be particularly exact. Under the current system, all revenues generated by the sale of all-access season tickets are allocated to the fitness centre although these tickets enable the holder to access other facilities of the KLC. All revenues stemming from the various single tickets, including single tickets giving access to the fitness centre, are allocated to the other facilities at the KLC. As described in Section I.2.2 of this Decision, this entails that the fitness centre of the KLC receives about 70 % of the total ticket revenue. The Norwegian authorities state that this represents a correct allocation of revenue as an informal examination carried out in 2006 indicated that about 70 % of the adult visitors mainly use the fitness centre. However, in the absence of additional information and documentation, the Authority has doubts as to whether the current method of allocation corresponds to the customers’ use of the different facilities thereby ensuring that there is no cross-subsidisation involving State resources from other parts of the KLC to the fitness centre.

As described under Section I.2.2 of this Decision, the municipality has not maintained a clear and consistent separation of the accounts for the different activities of the KLC. On the basis of this, the Authority cannot exclude that a form of cross-subsidisation of the fitness centre occurs.

Furthermore, the 2006/07 expansion was partly financed through a NOK 10 million bank loan. The fitness centre was intended to share the financing by servicing a proportionate part of the loan. However, its annual accounts from 2008 show that the fitness centre has only partially serviced its part of the loan according to the cost-allocation plan (28). In 2008, the fitness centre contributed NOK 185 000 in interest of the budgeted NOK 684 000, and an instalment of NOK 200 000 of the budgeted NOK 405 000. Thus, the fitness centre at the KLC only covered NOK 385 000 of the total NOK 1 089 000. The remaining part of the 2008 cost of the loan seems to have been serviced by the municipality of Vefsn. In light of this the Authority cannot to exclude that the 2006/07 expansion of the fitness centre at the KLC has been financed with resources from the municipality.

28

2.2.   
  Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

In order to constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement the measure must confer a selective economic advantage upon an undertaking.

2.2.1.   The concept of undertaking

The concept of undertaking

Firstly, it is necessary to establish whether the fitness centre constitutes an undertaking within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement. According to settled case law, an undertaking encompasses every entity engaged in an economic activity, regardless of the legal status of the entity and the way it is financed (29). Activities consisting in offering services on a given market qualify as economic activities (30), and entities carrying out such activities must be classified as undertakings. The fitness centre at the KLC offers its services to the general population in competition with other undertakings operating on the same market. In light of this, the fitness centre at the KLC seems to constitute an undertaking within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement.

29

30

2.2.2.   Compensation for providing services of general economic interest

Compensation for providing services of general economic interest

As the fitness centre seems to constitute an undertaking, the Authority must assess whether it has received an economic advantage within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement.

The Norwegian authorities argue that the fitness centre is run as a part of the municipal healthcare service and provides a service of general economic interest within this context, and that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC merely represents compensation for services rendered provided in accordance with the Altmark criteria (31), and consequently does not constitute aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

Altmark

31

Indeed, a measure is not caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement where it ‘must be regarded as compensation for the services provided by the recipient undertakings in order to discharge public service obligations, so that those undertakings do not enjoy a real financial advantage and the measure thus does not have the effect of putting them in a more favourable competitive position than the undertakings competing with them’ (32).

32

In the Altmark judgment the Court of Justice held that compensation for public service obligations does not constitute State aid when four cumulative criteria are met:

Altmark

| — | first, the recipient undertaking must actually have public service obligations to discharge and such obligations must be clearly defined, |
| --- | --- |

—

first, the recipient undertaking must actually have public service obligations to discharge and such obligations must be clearly defined,

| — | second, the parameters on the basis of which the compensation is calculated must be established in advance in an objective and transparent manner, |
| --- | --- |

—

second, the parameters on the basis of which the compensation is calculated must be established in advance in an objective and transparent manner,

| — | third, the compensation cannot exceed what is necessary to cover all or part of the costs incurred in the discharge of the public service obligations, taking into account the relevant receipts and a reasonable profit, |
| --- | --- |

—

third, the compensation cannot exceed what is necessary to cover all or part of the costs incurred in the discharge of the public service obligations, taking into account the relevant receipts and a reasonable profit,

| — | finally, where the undertaking which is to discharge public service obligations is not chosen pursuant to a public procurement procedure which would allow for the selection of the tenderer capable of providing those services at the least cost, the level of compensation needed must be determined on the basis of an analysis of the costs which a typical undertaking, well run and adequately equipped, would have incurred (33). |
| --- | --- |

—

finally, where the undertaking which is to discharge public service obligations is not chosen pursuant to a public procurement procedure which would allow for the selection of the tenderer capable of providing those services at the least cost, the level of compensation needed must be determined on the basis of an analysis of the costs which a typical undertaking, well run and adequately equipped, would have incurred (33).

33

When these four criteria are met cumulatively, the State compensation does not confer an advantage upon the undertaking. As to the present case, the Authority is in doubt as to whether the fitness centre at the KLC is entrusted with a clearly defined public service obligation as required under the first Altmark criterion (34). Furthermore, the Authority has doubts as to whether the method of calculating the compensation has been established in advance in an objective and transparent manner (the 2nd Altmark criterion). Moreover it cannot be determined at this stage on the basis of the information provided that it does not exceed what is necessary (the 3rd Altmark criterion) (35). Finally, the Authority notes that the fitness centre at the KLC has not been selected in a public procurement procedure and that the Norwegian authorities have not provided the Authority with information enabling a verification of whether the costs incurred by the fitness centre at the KLC correspond to the costs of a typical undertaking, well run and adequately equipped as required by the fourth Altmark criterion. Thus, the Authority cannot exclude that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC gives it an advantage.

Altmark

34

Altmark

Altmark

35

Altmark

Should an advantage have been granted to the fitness centre at the KLC, it would be selective as it only concerns this particular undertaking.

2.3.   
  Distorting competition and affecting trade between Contracting Parties

Distorting competition and affecting trade between Contracting Parties

The aid measure must distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties. Under settled case law, the mere fact that a measure strengthens the position of an undertaking compared with other undertakings competing in intra-EEA trade, is enough to conclude that the measure is likely to affect trade between Contracting Parties and distort competition between undertakings established in other EEA States (36).

36

The State resources allocated to the fitness centre at the KLC seem to constitute an advantage that strengthens the fitness centre’s position compared to that of other undertakings competing in the same market. Therefore, the measure seems to threaten to distort competition between undertakings.

The question is whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC threatens to affect intra-EEA trade.

A privately owned fitness centre, Friskhuset Mosjøen
   (37), a franchisee under the Friskhuset franchisor, is established in Mosjøen, the same city as the KLC. Based only on the available information, the Authority has not been able to determine whether the franchisor or the franchisee are involved in intra-EEA trade.

Friskhuset Mosjøen

37

Friskhuset

Regardless of this, the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC might threaten to affect intra-EEA trade in other ways. In the practice of the European Commission, the geographical attraction zone of a service has been held to be an important benchmark when establishing a measure’s effect on intra-EEA trade (38). In the Authority’s view, fitness centres, in general, seem to provide a service which by its very nature has a limited attraction zone. Based on the information made available to the Authority, the fitness centre at KLC does not seem to be so unique as to attract visitors from afar. Furthermore, the KLC is situated approximately 60 km (by road) from the nearest Swedish border. A distance of about 50 km from the closest EEA State was held to be sufficient to exclude impact on intra-EEA trade from the operation of a swimming pool in Dorsten, Germany (39).

38

39

Further indications of lack of effect on intra-EEA trade, held to be relevant in Commission practice, seem to be present. The fitness centre at the KLC does not belong to a wider group of undertakings (40). The information provided to the Authority does not indicate that the fitness centre at the KLC attracts investments to the region where it is established (41).

40

41

Moreover, the Authority has not been provided with sufficient information relating to the market share of the fitness centre at the KLC to make a thorough assessment of the impact, or lack thereof, on intra-EEA trade (42).

42

It is worth noting that several of the undertakings active on the Norwegian fitness centre market are involved in intra-EEA trade. However, it seems that these undertakings tend to establish fitness centres in more densely populated areas than that of Vefsn municipality (43).

43

In light of the above, the Authority is in doubt as to whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC threatens to affect intra-EEA trade.

2.4.   
  Conclusion on the presence of State aid

Conclusion on the presence of State aid

The Authority consequently has doubts as to whether the measures under scrutiny involve State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement.

3.   Notification requirement and standstill obligation

Notification requirement and standstill obligation

The Norwegian authorities submitted a notification of the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC on 27 January 2009 (Event No 506341). Insofar as the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC may constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement, and that this aid constitutes ‘new aid’ within the meaning of Article 1(c) of Part II of Protocol 3, the Norwegian authorities should have notified the aid before putting it into effect pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.

It should be recalled that any new aid which is unlawfully implemented and which is finally not declared compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement is subject to recovery in accordance with Article 14 of Part II of Protocol 3. However, the Authority notes that any State aid granted more than 10 years before any action is taken by the Authority is deemed to be existing aid not subject to recovery pursuant to Article 15 of Part II of Protocol 3.

4.   Compatibility of the aid

Compatibility of the aid

The Norwegian authorities have argued that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC, as far as it is held to constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, must be considered to be compatible either as compensation for providing a service of general economic interest on the basis of Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement, or alternatively as a cultural measure on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

4.1.   
  Service of general economic interest — Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement

Service of general economic interest — Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement

Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘Undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest or having the character of a revenue-producing monopoly shall be subject to the rules contained in this Agreement, in particular to the rules on competition, in so far as the application of such rules do not obstruct the performance, in law or in fact, of the particular tasks assigned to them. The development of trade must not be affected to such an extent as would be contrary to the interests of the Contracting Parties.’

The Norwegian authorities consider that operating the fitness centre at the KLC, as such, constitutes a service of general economic interest (44). The Norwegian authorities argue that the purpose of operating the fitness centre at the KLC is to stimulate all the residents of the municipality of Vefsn to be more physically active and consequently improve the general health of the local population. However, there seems to be no specific mechanisms in place ensuring that the fitness centre at the KLC is available to as many users as possible. The so-called FYSAK pass seems to be available to everyone above the age of 15 at the same price, there seems to be no specific means-tested discount available to those of lesser means, although some discounts seem to be granted for young people below the age of 20 and senior citizens (45). The Norwegian authorities seem to acknowledge this by stating that ‘(a) very small number of groups are excluded due to price’ (46). In that sense, the fitness centre seems to function, at least partly, as a normal fitness centre. Furthermore, the Authority questions whether there is a need to subsidise a fitness centre in the specific area of Mosjøen since a privately owned fitness centre has been operating in the same city for more than a decade.

44

45

46

The Authority acknowledges that the Norwegian authorities have a wide margin of discretion regarding the nature of services that could be classified as constituting services of general economic interest (47). However, in light of the above, the Authority has doubts as to whether the operation the fitness centre at the KLC can constitute a service of general economic interest within the meaning of Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement.

47

In this respect, reference is made to the Authority’s guidelines on State aid in the form of public service compensation (48). The following cumulative criteria must be fulfilled in order for a State aid measure to be considered compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement on the basis of Article 59(2) in conjunction with the public service guidelines:

48

| — | the service must constitute a genuine service of general economic interest, |
| --- | --- |

—

the service must constitute a genuine service of general economic interest,

| — | the undertaking must be entrusted with the operation of the service by way of one or more official acts, |
| --- | --- |

—

the undertaking must be entrusted with the operation of the service by way of one or more official acts,

| — | the amount of compensation must not exceed what is necessary to cover the costs incurred in discharging the service. |
| --- | --- |

—

the amount of compensation must not exceed what is necessary to cover the costs incurred in discharging the service.

According to the information provided by the Norwegian authorities, the fitness centre seems to provide certain special preventive and convalescent services to individuals with specific needs in accordance with the municipality’s obligations under Article 1-2 of the MHS Act. Such services seem to be provided to individuals with a so-called FYSAK prescription (FYSAK Resept) which can be obtained from a doctor, physical therapist or certain public bodies (49). However, the Authority has not received specific information pertaining to how the fitness centre at the KLC is compensated for providing such services, and cannot exclude that the compensation does not exceed what is necessary within the meaning of the public service guidelines.

FYSAK Resept

49

At this stage, the Authority has not been able to assess whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC in part or in full can constitute compensation for a service of general economic interest that could be compatible with the functioning of the EEA within the meaning of Article 59(2).

4.2.   
  Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement

Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement

Article 61(3) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘The following may be considered to be compatible with the functioning of this Agreement: [...] (c) aid to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas, where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.’

The Norwegian authorities hold that the aid granted to the fitness centre at the KLC should be considered compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement on the basis of the exemption in Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, and more specifically that the operation of the fitness centre must be regarded as a measure to promote culture within the meaning of the provision in Article 107(3)(d) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The EEA Agreement does not include a corresponding provision. The Authority nevertheless acknowledges that State aid measures may be approved on cultural grounds on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement (50).

50

In this respect, reference must be made to the European Commission’s White Paper on Sports (51), which acknowledges that sport is crucial to the well-being of European society. The vast majority of sporting activities take place in non-profit making structures, many of which depend on public support to provide access to sporting activities to all citizens.

51

However, based on the information available, the Authority has doubts as to whether the operation of the fitness centre at the KLC constitutes a cultural activity.

The Authority notes that the KLC is located in a region eligible for regional aid (52) and points to the fact that financing connected to the expansion of 2006/07 could under certain circumstances be considered compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement (53). However, the information made available to the Authority during its preliminary examination of the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC does not enable it to make a definite assessment of this question.

52

53

5.   Conclusion

Conclusion

Based on the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities, the Authority cannot exclude the possibility that the funds received by the fitness centre at the KLC constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

As explained under Section II.1.2 above, the Authority considers that the funds stemming from Norsk Tipping AS have been granted in accordance with an existing aid scheme, they are not covered by this Decision to open the formal investigation procedure.

Norsk Tipping AS

The Authority has doubts as to whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC with funds stemming from the municipality of Vefsn, in particular concerning those funds allocated on the basis of the two expansions in 1997 and 2006/07, constitute ‘new aid’, which pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3 should have been notified to the Authority prior to its implementation.

The Authority has doubts as to whether the aid granted is compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, in accordance with Article 59(2) or Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

In accordance with Article 4(4) of Part II of Protocol 3, the Authority is obliged to open the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3. The decision to open proceedings is without prejudice to the final decision of the Authority, which may conclude that the measures in question do not constitute State aid, are to be classified as existing aid or are compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.

In light of the foregoing considerations, the Authority, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3, invites the Norwegian authorities to submit their comments within one month of the date of receipt of this Decision.

In light of the foregoing considerations, within one month of receipt of this Decision, the Authority request the Norwegian authorities to provide all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC. In particular, the Authority invites the Norwegian authorities to provide detailed information regarding any funding from the county municipality of Nordland to the fitness centre at the KLC, as mentioned under Section II.1.1 of this Decision.

It invites the Norwegian authorities to forward a copy of this Decision to the potential aid recipient of the aid immediately.

The Authority would like to remind the Norwegian authorities that, according to the provisions of Protocol 3, any incompatible aid unlawfully put at the disposal of the beneficiaries will have to be recovered, unless this recovery would be contrary to the general principle of law,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has decided to open the formal investigation procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3 against Norway regarding the financing of the fitness centre at the Kippermoen Leisure Centre.

Article 2

The Norwegian authorities are invited, pursuant to Article 6(1) of Part II of Protocol 3, to submit their comments on the opening of the formal investigation procedure within one month from the notification of this Decision.

Article 3

The Norwegian authorities are requested to provide within one month from notification of this Decision, all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the aid measure.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Norway.

Article 5

Only the English version is authentic.

Done at Brussels, 16 December 2009.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Per SANDERUD

President

Kristján Andri STEFÁNSSON

College Member

---

(1)  A se vedea Comunicarea Comisiei cu privire la aplicarea normelor privind ajutoarele de stat serviciilor publice de radiodifuziune, JO C 257, 27.10.2009, p. 1, alineatele (25)-(31) și (80) ff.

1

(2)  A se vedea Decizia nr. 55/05/COL a Autorității secțiunea II.3., p. 19, cu trimiteri suplimentare, publicată în JO L 324, 23.11.2006, p. 11 și Suplimentul SEE nr. 56, 23.11.2006, p. 1.

2

(3)  A se vedea Annual and Social Report of Norsk Tipping AS for 2008, p. 3. Disponibil la https://www.norsk-tipping.no/page?id=207

3

Annual and Social Report of Norsk Tipping AS for 2008

(4)  Hereinafter referred to as the Authority.

4

(5)  Hereinafter referred to as the EEA Agreement.

5

(6)  Hereinafter referred to as the Surveillance and Court Agreement.

6

(7)  Hereinafter referred to as Protocol 3.

7

(8)  Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, adopted and issued by the Authority on 19.1.1994, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as OJ) L 231, 3.9.1994, p. 1 and EEA Supplement No 32, 3.9.1994, p. 1 as amended. Hereinafter referred to as the State Aid Guidelines. The updated version of the State Aid Guidelines is published on the Authority’s website (http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/legal-framework/state-aid-guidelines).

8

Official Journal of the European Union

(9)  Adopted by the Authority by Decision No 328/05/COL of 20.12.2005, published in OJ L 109, 26.4.2007, p. 44 and EEA Supplement No 20, 26.4.2007, p. 1.

9

(10)  The Chapter on National Regional Aid 2007–13 was adopted by the Authority by Decision No 85/06/COL of 6.4.2006, published in OJ L 54, 28.2.2008, p. 1 and EEA Supplement No 11, 28.2.2008, p. 1 and is applicable from 1 January 2007 onwards. Prior to that date, reference must be made to the provisions of the Chapter on National regional aid adopted by Decision No 316/98/COL of 4.11.1998, published in OJ L 111, 29.4.1999, p. 46 and EEA Supplement No 18, 29.4.1999, p. 1.

10

(11)  Decision No 195/04/COL of 14 July 2004 (published in OJ L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 and EEA Supplement No 26, 25.5.2006, p. 1), as amended. A consolidated version of the Decision can be found online (http://www.eftasurv.int).

11

(12)  See letter from Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 11.

12

(13)  Ibid p. 12.

13

(14)  See letter from the municipality of Vefsn to the Norwegian competition authorities dated 3.11.1998, p. 3 (added as sub-Appendix 2 to Appendix 2 of the letter from the Norwegian authorities dated 27.1.2009 (Event No 506341)). The expansion was apparently also financed through other sources, but these funds were seemingly earmarked for areas of the KLC that were not connected to the fitness centre.

14

(15)  L.c.

15

(16)  For 2007 the interest rate on three year government bonds was 3,74 %, consequently the interest rate for 2007 was (3,74 % + 1 %) 4,74 %.

16

(17)  See letter from the Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 12.

17

(18)  Lov om helsetjenesten i kommunene of 19 November 1982 No 66. Hereinafter referred to as the MHS Act.

18

Lov om helsetjenesten i kommunene

(19)  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg (2003) ECR I-7747. See also case T-289/03 BUPA (2008) ECR II-81.

19

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

BUPA

(20)  The Gaming Act replaced Law No 92 of 20.12.1985 on Lotto.

20

(21)  The funds for sporting purposes are distributed by the King (i.e. the Government), whereas the funds for other purposes are partly distributed by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget), in accordance with Article 10 of the Gaming Act and Regulation No 1056 adopted on 11.12.1992, which entered into force on 1.1.1993, i.e. before the entry into force of the EEA Agreement in Norway.

21

Stortinget

(22)  The system is explained in the Preparatory Works to the amendment, Ot.prp. No 44 (2002-2003) Chapter 4.6.2.

22

(23)  See Case T-195/01 Government of Gibraltar v Commission (2002) ECR II-2309 paragraph 111.

23

Government of Gibraltar

Commission

(24)  See Case C-44/93 Namur-Les Assurances du Crédit SA v Office Nationale du Ducroire (1994) ECR I-3829 paragraph 28.

24

Namur-Les Assurances du Crédit SA

Office Nationale du Ducroire

(25)  See Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257 of 27.10.2009, p. 1, paragraphs 25-31 and 80 ff.

25

(26)  See the Authority’s Decision No 55/05/COL Section II.3. p. 19 with further references, published in OJ L 324, 23.11.2006, p. 11 and EEA Supplement No 56, 23.11.2006, p. 1.

26

(27)  The Authority has not been provided with figures for earlier years.

27

(28)  This has been confirmed by Norwegian authorities in the letter dated 9.9.2009 (Event No 529846) p. 2-3.

28

(29)  Case C-41/90 Höfner and Elsner v Macrotron Gmbh (1991) ECR I-1979 paragraph 21.

29

Höfner and Elsner

Macrotron Gmbh

(30)  Case C-35/96 Commission v Italy (1998) ECR I-3851 paragraph 36.

30

Commission

Italy

(31)  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg, cited above.

31

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

(32)  Case C-280/00, Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg, cited above, paragraph 87.

32

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

(33)  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg, cited above, paragraphs 89-93.

33

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

(34)  With regard to the question of whether the fitness centre at the KLC is entrusted with a clearly defined service obligation, see Section II.4.1.

34

(35)  See Section II.4.1.

35

(36)  Case 730/79 Philip Morris Holland (1980) ECR 2671 paragraphs 11-12.

36

Philip Morris Holland

(37)  The ownership of the privately owned fitness centre has changed over the years. It has been owned by Centrum Fysikalske Institutt AS which in the year 2000 merged with another undertaking and changed name to Helsehuset Fysioterapi og Manuell Terapi Mosjøen AS. From 2007 the fitness centre operated as a franchisee under the Friskhuset franchisor. The Authority has doubts as to whether any of the previous owners have been involved in intra-EEA trade.

37

Centrum Fysikalske Institutt AS

Helsehuset Fysioterapi og Manuell Terapi Mosjøen AS

Friskhuset

(38)  See notice from the Commission on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain types of State aid, published in OJ C 136, 16.6.2009, p. 3 paragraph 5(b) viii, footnote 6 which references the following Commission Decisions in Cases N 258/2000 (Germany, leisure pool Dorsten), N 486/02 (Sweden, Aid in favour of a congress hall in Visby), N 610/01 (Germany, Tourism infrastructure program Baden-Württemberg) and N 377/07 (the Netherlands, support to Bataviawerf).

38

(39)  See Commission Decision in Case N 258/2000. See also Commission Decision in Case N 610/01 Section 4.3.

39

(40)  See the criteria listed in the notice from the Commission on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain types of State aid, published in OJ C 136, 16.6.2009, p. 3 paragraph 5(b) viii, footnote 6.L.c.

40

(41)  L.c.

41

(42)  L.c.

42

(43)  Vefsn municipality is located in the second northernmost county of Norway. The KLC is located in a region eligible for regional aid, see the Authority’s Decision No 226/06/COL of 19.7.2006, published in OJ L 54, 28.2.2008, p. 21 and EEA Supplement No 11, 28.2.2008, p. 19.

43

(44)  See letter accompanying the notification of the measure dated 27.1.2009 (Event No 506341), p. 14-19, and letter from Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 3-7.

44

(45)  See http://www.kippermoen.com/index.asp?side=priser

45

(46)  See letter from Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 13.

46

(47)  See the public service guidelines paragraph 8.

47

(48)  Hereinafter referred to as the public service guidelines.

48

(49)  See http://www.kippermoen.com/index.asp?side=akt_res

49

(50)  See for example paragraph 7 (with further references) of the Chapter of the Authority’s guidelines on State aid to cinematographic and other audiovisual work, adopted by the Authority by Decision No 774/08/COL of 17 December 2008, not yet published in the OJ or the EEA Supplement, available at the Authority’s web page (http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/legal-framework/state-aid-guidelines/).

50

(51)  White Paper on Sport, COM(2007) 391 final.

51

(52)  See the regional aid maps of assisted areas for Norway registered in the Authority’s Decision No 327/99/COL of 16.12.1999 and Decision No 226/06/COL of 19.7.2006.

52

(53)  For any aid granted after 1 January 2007, Chapter of the Authority’s guidelines on National Regional Aid 2007-13. For aid granted before that date, reference must be made to the provisions of the Chapter on National Regional Aid adopted by Decision No 319/98/COL of 4.11.1998.

53

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| 8.7.2010 | RO | Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene | C 184/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

RO

Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene

C 184/20

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Invitație de a prezenta observații în temeiul articolului 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție cu privire la ajutorul de stat pentru vânzarea unui teren de către municipalitatea din Asker societății Asker Brygge AS

2010/C 184/06

Prin Decizia nr. 538/09/COL din 16 decembrie 2009, reprodusă în versiunea lingvistică autentică în paginile care urmează acestui rezumat, Autoritatea AELS de Supraveghere a inițiat procedura prevăzută la articolul 1 alineatul (2) din partea I a Protocolului 3 la Acordul între statele AELS privind instituirea unei Autorități de Supraveghere și a unei Curți de Justiție. Autoritățile norvegiene au fost informate prin intermediul unei copii a deciziei respective.

Prin prezenta, Autoritatea AELS de Supraveghere invită statele AELS, statele membre ale UE și părțile interesate să prezinte observații privind măsura în cauză, în termen de o lună de la data publicării prezentei comunicări, la adresa:

| Autorité de Surveillance AELS |
| --- |
| Greffe |
| Rue Belliard 35 |
| 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Autorité de Surveillance AELS

Greffe

Rue Belliard 35

1040 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Observațiile vor fi comunicate autorităților norvegiene. Păstrarea confidențialității privind identitatea părții interesate care prezintă observațiile poate fi solicitată în scris, precizându-se motivele care stau la baza solicitării.

REZUMAT

Prin scrisoarea primită de către Autoritate la 13 februarie 2009, autoritățile norvegiene au prezentat o notificare privind vânzarea unui teren de către municipalitatea din Asker societății Asker Brygge AS.

Municipalitatea din Asker și Asker Brygge au încheiat un acord în 2001, în baza căruia societății Asker Brygge i-a fost acordată opțiunea de a cumpăra un teren până la 31 decembrie 2009 pentru o sumă fixă de 8 milioane NOK ajustată în funcție de indicele prețurilor de consum. În 2005, Asker Brygge s-a prevalat de opțiunea de a cumpăra terenul. În urma negocierilor, părțile au convenit asupra unui preț de vânzare de 8 727 462 NOK și au încheiat un acord de vânzare la 21 martie 2007. Terenul a fost transferat către Asker Brygge la aceeași dată, deși valoarea vânzării urma să fie plătită în două tranșe, după cum era deja prevăzut în acordul de opțiune din 2001. A doua tranșă corespunde la 70 % din valoarea vânzării (6 109 223 NOK) și trebuie achitată cel mai târziu la 31 decembrie 2011. Municipalitatea din Asker nu va percepe nicio rată a dobânzii la această a doua tranșă.

Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la faptul că tranzacția legată de vânzarea parcelei de teren a fost efectuată în conformitate cu principiul investitorului în economia de piață. Condițiile pentru vânzarea la o dată ulterioară au fost stabilite în acordul de opțiune semnat în 2001. Astfel, Autoritatea a evaluat dacă acordul de opțiune din 2001 a fost încheiat cu respectarea condițiilor pieței. Autoritatea se întreabă dacă Asker Brygge a plătit pentru opțiunea ca atare și dacă, în acest caz, condițiile favorabile pentru cumpărător au fost compensate de obligații corespunzătoare pentru cumpărător sau de drepturi pentru vânzător. Acordul de opțiune nu numai că a dat Asker Brygge dreptul de a achiziționa proprietatea la orice moment în următorii ani, ci a stabilit de asemenea prețul pentru un astfel de transfer timpuriu. Prin urmare, opțiunea implică o posibilitate pentru Asker Brygge de a observa evoluția prețurilor proprietăților pe parcursul unui anumit număr de ani și ulterior, de a se prevala de opțiune și de a cumpăra proprietatea la prețul convenit în 2001. Pe de altă parte, municipalității i-a fost interzis să vândă proprietatea altcuiva în aceeași perioadă. Mai mult, opțiunea i-a permis Asker Brygge să poarte negocieri active cu municipalitatea în vederea revizuirii prevederilor referitoare la această proprietate, care să conducă la creșterea valorii sale de piață. În plus, municipalitatea nu ar fi primit nicio plată în cazul în care vânzarea nu avea loc.

Acordul de opțiune includea, de asemenea, alte elemente care sunt susceptibile să mărească valoarea opțiunii, de exemplu Asker Brygge avea dreptul de a solicita renegocieri ale prețului în cazul în care prețurile proprietăților ar fi scăzut considerabil, în timp ce municipalitatea nu avea un drept de renegociere corespunzător; prețul era ajustat în funcție de indicele prețurilor de consum, deși prețurile proprietăților nu sunt incluse în acest indice; municipalitatea din Asker a fost de acord să amâne plata a 70 % din prețul de vânzare convenit fără a percepe nicio dobândă pentru această amânare, deși proprietatea deplină a terenului a fost transferată imediat.

Din aceste motive, Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la faptul că un operator privat ar fi încheiat un acord de opțiune pe o durată atât de lungă în condiții similare cu cele ale municipalității din Asker fără a solicita o remunerație pentru opțiune și condițiile favorabile ca atare.

Deoarece nu poate fi stabilit în acest stadiu dacă acordul de opțiune a îndeplinit criteriile prevăzute de principiul investitorului în economia de piață, Autoritatea trebuie să examineze în continuare dacă proprietatea a fost transferată la un preț inferior valorii de piață din 2007, atunci când a avut loc efectiv vânzarea, și dacă, în consecință, Asker Brygge a primit ajutor de stat în sensul articolului 61 din Acordul privind SEE. Autoritatea a comparat prețul de 8 727 462 NOK plătit de Asker Brygge cu informațiile disponibile privind valoarea de piață a proprietății la momentul vânzării. Autoritățile norvegiene au prezentat trei evaluări ale valorii proprietății. Primul raport, din data de 30 iunie 2006, a estimat valoarea terenului în 2001, atunci când a fost încheiat contractul de opțiune, la 9,6 milioane NOK, cu o variație posibilă de +/– 15 %. Un al doilea raport, din data de 18 ianuarie 2008, a considerat că valoarea de piață a terenului în 2007 se ridica la 26 de milioane NOK, ceea ce corespundea sumei de 17 milioane NOK în 2001. Cel de al treilea raport, din data de 16 iunie 2008, întocmit de aceiași evaluatori, a corectat valoarea la 14 milioane NOK în 2007 și 8 milioane NOK în 2001, după ce a fost luată în considerare o reducere a valorii unei obligații suplimentare impuse societății Asker Brygge cu privire la utilizarea unei părți a proprietății de către Slependen Båtforening AS.

Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la estimarea corectă a valorii proprietății gbnr 32/17 în vreunul din aceste rapoarte, dacă este cazul, și se întreabă dacă pentru această proprietate a fost plătit prețul pieței și dacă un investitor privat de pe piață ar fi acceptat o amânare a plății valorii de vânzare fără dobândă.

Măsurile de sprijin prevăzute la articolul 61 alineatul (1) din Acordul SEE sunt în general incompatibile cu funcționarea Acordului privind SEE, cu excepția cazului în care îndeplinesc condițiile pentru acordarea unei derogări în temeiul articolului 61 alineatul (2) sau (3) din Acordul privind SEE. Cu toate acestea, Autoritatea are îndoieli cu privire la faptul că tranzacția în curs de evaluare poate fi justificată în temeiul dispozițiilor referitoare la ajutorul de stat din Acordul privind SEE.

Concluzie

Având în vedere considerentele prezentate anterior, Autoritatea a hotărât să inițieze procedura oficială de investigare, în conformitate cu articolul 1 alineatul (2) din Acordul privind SEE. Părțile interesate sunt invitate să își prezinte observațiile în termen de o lună de la publicarea prezentei decizii în Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene.

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 538/09/COL

of 16 December 2009

to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement with regard to the notification of sale of land in the municipality of Asker

(Norway)

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY (1),

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (2), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice (3), in particular to Article 24 thereof,

Having regard to Article 1(2) of Part I and Articles 4(4) and 6 of Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement (4),

Having regard to the Authority’s Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement (5), and in particular the chapter on State aid elements in sales of land and buildings by public authorities (6),

Having regard to the Authority’s Decision of 14 July 2004 on the implementing provisions referred to under Article 27 of Part II of Protocol 3 (7),

Whereas:

I.   FACTS

1.   Procedure

By letter of 15 December 2008 (Event No 508884), received by the Authority on 13 February 2009, the Norwegian authorities notified a sale of land by the municipality of Asker, pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.

By letter dated 8 April 2009 (Event No 512188), the Authority requested additional information. The Norwegian authorities replied by letter dated 11 May 2009 (Event No 518079).

By letter of 7 July 2009 (Event No 521778), the Authority sent a second request for information. The Norwegian authorities responded by letter dated 14 August 2009 (Event No 527555).

2.   Description of the notification

The Norwegian authorities have notified a sale of a plot of land by the municipality of Asker to the company Asker Brygge AS (hereinafter referred to as Asker Brygge).

The municipality of Asker and Asker Brygge entered into an agreement in 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the option agreement), according to which Asker Brygge was granted an option, lasting until 31 December 2009, to buy land for a fixed sum of NOK 8 million, adjusted according to the consumer price index. According to the option agreement the municipality intended to give Asker Brygge the option to buy the property at market price provided that Asker Brygge undertook extensive planning and research with the aim of obtaining a reregulation of the property and then developing the property.

In 2004 the option agreement was renewed, and the validity of the option was extended until 31 December 2014 under similar conditions regarding the progress of the reregulation work. In 2005, Asker Brygge called upon the option to buy the land. The property is registered in the Norwegian property register as Nesøyveien 8, gnr. 32 bnr. 17 in the municipality of Asker and is approximately 9 700 m2. After negotiations the parties agreed to a sales price of NOK 8 727 462 and entered into a sales agreement on 21 March 2007. The land was transferred to Asker Brygge on the same date although the sales sum was to be paid in two instalments. The first instalment of 30 % of the sales sum was paid in 2007 on the date of the transfer of the property. The second and largest instalment, 70 % of the sales sum (NOK 6 109 223), is due at the latest 31 December 2011. The municipality of Asker will not charge any interest rate on the second instalment.

The municipality of Asker and Asker Brygge are of the opinion that the sales contract does not entail any State aid because the sales price reflects the market value. The Norwegian authorities have nonetheless decided to notify the transaction for reasons of legal certainty.

II.   ASSESSMENT

1.   The presence of State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) EEA Agreement

Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any aid granted by EC Member States, EFTA States or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Contracting Parties, be incompatible with the functioning of this Agreement’.

1.1.   
  Market investor principle

Market investor principle

1.1.1.   Introduction

Introduction

If the transaction was carried out in accordance with the market economy investor principle, i.e. if the municipality sold the land for its market value and the conditions of the transaction would have been acceptable for a private seller, the transaction would not involve the grant of State aid.

In the following the Authority will assess whether the municipality of Asker has granted illegal State aid to Asker Brygge in connection with the sale of the plot of land gbnr 32/17. The sale of land could qualify as State aid if the sale was not carried out at market price. As a point of departure, the assessment of whether a property has been sold at market value should be assessed at the time of the conclusion of the contract. The circumstances of this sale of land are somewhat particular in the sense that there exists several agreements concerning the sale: An option agreement from 2001, an extended option agreement from 2004 and a sales agreement from 2007.

The option agreement not only gave Asker Brygge a right to acquire the property at any given time over the years to come but also fixed the price for a later transfer. The option thereby entailed a possibility for Asker Brygge to observe the development of property prices over a number of years, thereafter to take up the option to buy the property for the price agreed in 2001. While the Authority fully recognises the right for public authorities also to operate in a market on commercial terms, it nevertheless finds reason to consider carefully whether a similar agreement would have been concluded by a private market operator. The Authority will in that regard consider whether Asker Brygge paid for the option as such, and whether the favourable conditions for the buyer appear to be balanced by corresponding obligations for the buyer or rights for the seller.

If the option agreement as such cannot be said to comply with the private market investor principle, the Authority will assess whether the property was transferred at market value when the sales agreement was concluded in 2007. Thus, the Authority will in the following firstly assess the option agreement of 2001 (and the extension signed in 2004) and, secondly, whether the actual sale of land in 2007 was accomplished at market price.

1.1.2.   The market price of the option agreement signed in 2001

The market price of the option agreement signed in 2001

As regards the option agreement, it has to be examined whether a private investor operating in a market economy would have chosen to enter into a similar agreement regarding the price and terms as the one signed between the municipality of Asker and Asker Brygge in 2001. In making that assessment, the Authority cannot replace the municipality’s commercial judgement with its own, which implies that the municipality, as the seller of the plot of land, must enjoy a margin of judgement. There can be a number of commercially sound reasons to enter into an agreement under given conditions. When there is no plausible explanation for the municipality’s choice the measure could qualify as State aid.

On the basis of the information available to the Authority, the conditions for the later sale were laid down in the option agreement signed in 2001. This agreement gave Asker Brygge a right, but not an obligation, to buy the property on predetermined conditions at any given time until 31 December 2009. On the other hand, the municipality was barred from selling the property to someone else in the same period. The main features of the option agreement which are relevant for the State aid assessment are (i) the agreed price of NOK 8 million, adjusted in accordance with the consumer price index, (ii) the right of renegotiation agreed for Asker Brygge in case property prices should decrease considerably before the option was invoked (there was no corresponding right of renegotiation for the municipality should the property prices increase considerably), (iii) the payment in two instalments, whereby 70 % of the sales price would be paid before 31 December 2011 at the latest, but no interest would be charged for this delay. In 2004 the municipality and Asker Brygge prolonged the option agreement until 2014, but did not modify any of the other conditions for the transaction.

According to the information available to the Authority, the municipality carried out no value assessment of the property before it entered into the agreement with Asker Brygge in 2001. Thus, it is not clear to the Authority on which basis the municipality arrived at the agreed price of NOK 8 million for the sale of land gbnr 32/17. In the information presented to the Authority, Asker municipality nevertheless appears to argue that this amount was indeed the market value of the property in 2001.

Even if it is assumed that NOK 8 million represented the market price for the property as such in 2001, the Authority questions whether the market value of the option agreement only corresponds to the value of the property or whether the market value of the other elements agreed upon should be taken into account. In the Authority’s view, if only the market value for the property had to be considered, that would entail that Asker Brygge got the option as such for free. As mentioned above, this option enabled the company to observe the development of property prices for a number of years. Statistically, property prices tend to increase over time. Furthermore, Asker is located close to Oslo and has experienced a continuous growth in population, something that would usually influence property prices positively.

The option agreement barred the municipality from selling the property to another buyer, and thus tied up capital for which the municipality could have found alternative uses or received interest. Indeed, the extension in 2004 prolonged the option with an additional five years without remuneration. It enabled Asker Brygge to actively approach the municipality in order to reregulate the property for purposes that would increase the market value. Moreover, the municipality would not receive any payment in case of no subsequent sale.

Under the option agreement, some aspects of a possible future sales contract were also agreed upon. In particular, regarding the reregulation of the area, Asker Brygge had an obligation to finish the preparatory works that would lead to the reregulation process. If this condition was not met, the municipality of Asker could terminate the contract. The Norwegian authorities argue that there is an uncertainty or risk connected to the reregulation process. Nevertheless, the option agreement gave Asker Brygge the opportunity to work on it for several years before deciding to buy the property, which in the opinion of the Authority reduced the risk considerably. In addition, if the property was reregulated, this would increase the value of the property. Hence, the option agreement did not entail any real risk for Asker Brygge.

In the Authority’s preliminary view, that option itself, independent of whether it was exercised or not, had a value in 2001 when the agreement was concluded. From the documentation and explanations the Authority has received so far, there is no information that the buyer paid for the option as such.

The option agreement also included other elements that appear to be capable of increasing the value of the option. The first element concerns the mechanism to regulate the price. Asker Brygge had the right to request renegotiations of the price if property prices in Asker should decrease considerably before the option was invoked. As mentioned above, the agreement did not provide a corresponding right of renegotiation for the municipality should the property prices increase considerably. According to the Norwegian authorities, the background for including a right for Asker Brygge to renegotiate the agreement was that the municipality of Asker considered the property to be difficult to develop, inter alia due to the short distance to the highway (E-18), and the transaction would therefore involve substantial economic risk. The Authority however, has doubts as to whether a private market investor would have entered into such an agreement without a mutual right to adjustment if property prices should increase or decrease considerably. In this regard, the right for the municipality to adjust the price in accordance with the consumer price index appears not to be sufficient to compensate for the lack of a corresponding right of renegotiation.

In addition, the Authority doubts that the consumer price index would be the correct index to use when adjusting for changes in property prices. The consumer price index is a measure estimating the change in the average price of consumer goods and services purchased by households, and does not reflect the price movements of the property market. Property prices develop at a different pattern than other prices, and real estate prices are therefore normally not taken into account when determining the consumer price index.

In addition, the municipality of Asker agreed to postpone the payment of 70 % of the agreed sales price until 31 December 2011 at the latest (8) without charging any interest for this deferral. According to the Norwegian authorities, the postponement of full payment without any interest was accepted because the property was considered difficult to develop. The Authority doubts that a private operator would have agreed to postpone the payment over such a long period of time without requiring any interest payments. Moreover, it doubts whether a private operator would have transferred full ownership of the property before full payment had been received.

8

For these reasons, the Authority doubts that a private operator would have entered into such a long option agreement, on similar conditions as the municipality of Asker without requiring remuneration for the option and the favourable conditions as such. By simply requiring a remuneration corresponding to the value of the property in 2001, the municipality of Asker ran the risk of granting State aid later if property prices should increase. It is therefore necessary to examine whether the property was transferred at a price below market value in 2007 and whether Asker Brygge thereby received State aid within the meaning of Article 61 EEA. The Authority will therefore in the following assess the available information regarding the market value in 2007.

1.1.3.   The market value of the property at the time of the sales agreement

The market value of the property at the time of the sales agreement

In 2005, Asker Brygge called upon the option and negotiations started with the municipality. Although the conditions for the sale were laid down in the 2001 option agreement, the sales contract was concluded in 2007.

In the following, the Authority will therefore compare the price of NOK 8 727 462 paid by Asker Brygge with the market value of the property at the time of the sale.

1.1.3.1.   The value of the plot of land gbnr 32/17

The value of the plot of land gbnr 32/17

According to the Authority's State Aid Guidelines on sale of land, a sale of land and buildings following a sufficiently well-publicised and unconditional bidding procedure, comparable to an auction, accepting the best or only bid, is by definition at market value and consequently does not contain State aid. Alternatively, to exclude the existence of aid when a sale of land is conducted without an unconditional bidding procedure, an independent valuation should be carried out by one or more independent asset valuers prior to sales negotiations in order to establish the market value on the basis of generally accepted market indicators and valuation standards. The valuer should be independent in the execution of his tasks, i.e. public authorities should not be entitled to issue orders as regards the result of the valuation. In the case at hand, the municipality of Asker did not arrange for an unconditional bidding procedure nor collect an independent expert evaluation before entering into the agreement. Thus, the existence of State aid cannot automatically be excluded.

In the notification, the Norwegian authorities have submitted three value assessments of the property in question. None of the value assessments were conducted before the option agreement was entered into in 2001.

The first report dated 30 June 2006 was conducted by licensed property surveyors of Verditaskt AS, Takst Senteret and Agdestein (9). According to this report the estimated value of the land in 2001, the time the option contract was entered into, was NOK 9,6 million, with a possible variation of +/– 15 %. However, this appears to be a very approximate estimation.

9

The Norwegian authorities enclosed with the notification two additional value assessments which TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik had carried out on behalf of the municipality. In the first report dated 18 January 2008 (10), the market value of the land in 2007 was estimated at NOK 26 million. As the contract between the municipality and Asker Brygge was entered into in 2001, this price was discounted to 2001 values. The discounted value of NOK 26 million of 2007 using a rate of 5,5 % over 7,5 years was NOK 17 million in 2001.

10

In the second report dated 16 June 2008 (11), TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik estimated the market value of the land in 2007 at NOK 12 million. The discounted value of NOK 12 million of 2007 using the same discount rate as before (i.e. 5,5 % over 7,5 years) corresponded to NOK 8 million in 2001. Thus, the discrepancy between the two reports is NOK 9 million for the value of the property in 2001 and NOK 14 million for the value of the property in 2007.

11

The Norwegian authorities have explained that this difference is based on the estimated value reduction of an additional obligation put upon Asker Brygge with regard to the use of part of the property by Slependen Båtforening AS (12). The option agreement of 2001 includes a clause saying that a part of the property is let to Slependen Båtforening as a marina for small boats and that Asker Brygge would have to compensate for their right to a small-boat marina/compensation vis-à-vis the municipality of Asker if development of the property started before the rental contract expires. The rental contract expired in June 2009. Furthermore, in clause 3 of the option agreement it is stated that Asker Brygge will, together with the municipality of Asker, reach a satisfying solution regarding the needs of Slependen Båtforening within the scope of the activity at the time of the agreement.

12

When the option agreement was entered into in 2001, Slependen Båtforening paid an annual lease of NOK 19 500 to the municipality of Asker (13). Although it was difficult to state the exact economic consequence of the obligation for Asker Brygge at the time the option agreement was entered into, Asker Brygge and Slependen Båtforening signed an agreement on 1 June 2006 according to which the latter was to pay NOK 850 000 (cf. clause 2.4 in the agreement). According to the explanations provided by the Norwegian authorities, the value assessment from January 2008 was based on an incorrect interpretation of an agreement between Asker Brygge and Slependen Båtforening since it did not reflect the obligation to pay NOK 850 000. The asset valuers interpreted the clause in the option agreement in such a way that Slependen Båtforening would have had the right to rent or buy the boat places at market price after the expiry of the rental contract. However, the Norwegian authorities are of the opinion that the sum of NOK 850 000, which represents the fulfilment of the obligation towards Slependen Båtforening, had to be taken into consideration when the market value of the property was assessed for 2001 and 2007. Thus, the municipality of Asker instructed TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik to use NOK 850 000 as the basis for the value estimation of Slependen Båtforenings's 65 boat places in their assessment dated 16 June 2008. The Authority considers that this sum is relevant for the assessment of the 2007 property value, as this was known information at the time.

13

The Authority has doubts as to which of the reports correctly determine the value of the property gbnr 32/17. Furthermore, the Authority notes that the estimations of the different value assessments are not only very different but are also more uncertain due to the fact that they were carried out several years after the option agreement was entered into, and two of them, the year after the sales agreement was entered into. The latest value assessment, the second report, dated 16 June 2008 (14), carried out by TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik, estimated the market value of the land in 2007 at NOK 12 million, which is NOK 3 272 538 more than the price paid. This is an indication that the sale was not carried out at market price and also that the consumer price index was not the correct adjustment index. Thus, the Authority questions whether market price was paid for the property.

14

1.1.3.2.   The value of the interest advantage of the soft loan

The value of the interest advantage of the soft loan

According to the Norwegian authorities the interest rate advantage is taken into consideration by the property surveyors in the report of 2006. However, as far as the Authority can see, the interest rate advantage is not mentioned or discussed in the report referred to, nor is it mentioned in any of the other reports.

In the opinion of the Authority, the municipality might have therefore forgone interest payments that a private market player would normally have required. Thus, the Authority has doubts as to whether a private market investor would have accepted the long deferral of payment without interest.

1.1.4.   Conclusion on the market investor principle

Conclusion on the market investor principle

For the above mentioned reasons, the Authority has doubts regarding the price agreed upon in the option agreement and whether it corresponded to the market price for such an agreement, which should reflect the property value at the time of the agreement combined with the value of the option and the special arrangements granted to the buyer. Moreover, the Authority has doubts regarding the actual price agreed upon in the sales agreement and whether it corresponded to the market price of the property at the time the sales agreement was concluded. Therefore, on the basis of the information provided by the Norwegian authorities, the Authority cannot conclude that the sale of the concerned plot of land gbnr 32/17 to Asker Brygge AS for the sales price of NOK 8 727 462 was carried out in accordance with the market investor principle.

1.2.   
  State resources

State resources

In order to qualify as State aid, the measure must be granted by the State or through State resources. The concept of State does not only refer to the central government but embraces all levels of the state administration (including municipalities) as well as public undertakings.

If the municipality sold the land below its market price, it would have foregone income. In such circumstances, Asker Brygge should have paid more for the land and therefore there is a transfer of resources from the municipality.

For these reasons, the Authority considers that if the sale did not take place in accordance with market conditions, State resources within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement would be involved.

1.3.   
  Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

First, the measure must confer on Asker Brygge advantages that relieve the undertaking of charges that are normally borne from its budget. If the transaction was carried out under favourable terms, in the sense that Asker Brygge would most likely have had to pay a higher price for the property if the sale of land had been conducted according to the market investor principle, and to have paid market interest rates for the loan if it was to borrow the same amount from a bank, the company would have received an advantage within the meaning of the State aid rules.

Second, the measure must be selective in that it favours ‘certain undertakings or the production of certain goods’. There is only one possible beneficiary of the measure under assessment, i.e. Asker Brygge. The measure is thus selective.

1.4.   
  Distortion of competition and effect on trade between Contracting Parties

Distortion of competition and effect on trade between Contracting Parties

The aid must distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties of the EEA Agreement.

A support measure granted by the State would strengthen the position of Asker Brygge vis-à-vis other undertakings that are competitors active in the same business areas of real estate and property development. Any grant of aid strengthens the position of the beneficiary vis-à-vis its competitors and accordingly distorts competition within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. To the extent that the company is active in areas subject to intra-EEA trade, the requirements of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement for a measure to constitute State aid are fulfilled.

1.5.   
  Conclusion

Conclusion

For the above mentioned reasons, the Authority has doubts as to whether or not the transaction concerning the sale of the plot of land gbnr 32/17 to Asker Brygge as laid down in the option agreement signed in 2001 and later agreements entail the grant of State aid.

2.   Procedural requirements

Procedural requirements

Pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3, ‘the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall be informed, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter aid. [...] The State concerned shall not put its proposed measures into effect until the procedure has resulted in a final decision’.

The Norwegian authorities submitted a notification of the sale of land on 13 February 2009 (Event No 508884). However, the municipality had, in 2001, already entered into an option agreement which determined the future conditions for the sale in March 2007. Moreover, the property was transferred and a soft loan granted to Asker Brygge in March 2007, when the sales agreement was signed, the transaction accomplished and the payment in instalments was agreed. Therefore, the Authority concludes that if the measure constitutes State aid, the Norwegian authorities have not respected their obligations pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.

3.   Compatibility of the aid

Compatibility of the aid

Support measures caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement are generally incompatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, unless they qualify for a derogation in Article 61(2) or (3) of the EEA Agreement.

The derogation of Article 61(2) is not applicable to the aid in question, which is not designed to achieve any of the aims listed in this provision. Nor does Article 61(3)(a) or Article 61(3)(b) of the EEA Agreement apply to the case at hand. Further, the area where the property is located cannot benefit from any regional aid within the meaning of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

The Authority therefore doubts that the transaction under assessment can be justified under the State aid provisions of the EEA Agreement.

4.   Conclusion

Conclusion

Based on the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities, the Authority has doubts as to whether or not Asker Brygge has received unlawful State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement in the context of the transaction regarding the sale of a plot of land.

The Authority has moreover doubts that this State aid can be regarded as complying with Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

Consequently, and in accordance Article 4(4) of Part II of Protocol 3, the Authority is obliged to open the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3. The decision to open proceedings is without prejudice to the final decision of the Authority, which may conclude that the measures in question are compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.

In light of the foregoing considerations, the Authority, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3, invites the Norwegian authorities to submit their comments within one month of the date of receipt of this Decision.

In light of the foregoing considerations, within one month of receipt of this decision, the Authority request the Norwegian authorities to provide all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the said transaction.

It invites the Norwegian authorities to forward a copy of this decision to Asker Brygge immediately.

The Authority would like to remind the Norwegian authorities that, according to the provisions of Protocol 3, any incompatible aid unlawfully put at the disposal of the beneficiaries will have to be recovered, unless this recovery would be contrary to the general principal of law.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has decided to open the formal investigation procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3 against Norway regarding the transaction concerning the sale of the plot of land gbnr 32/17 to the company Asker Brygge AS by the municipality of Asker.

Article 2

The Norwegian authorities are invited, pursuant to Article 6(1) of Part II of Protocol 3, to submit their comments on the opening of the formal investigation procedure within one month from the notification of this Decision.

Article 3

The Norwegian authorities are requested to provide within one month from notification of this decision, all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the aid measure.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Norway.

Article 5

Only the English version is authentic.

Done at Brussels, 16 December 2009.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Per SANDERUD

President

Kristján Andri STEFÁNSSON

College Member

---

(1)  Hereinafter referred to as the Authority.

1

(2)  Hereinafter referred to as the EEA Agreement.

2

(3)  Hereinafter referred to as the Surveillance and Court Agreement.

3

(4)  Hereinafter referred to as Protocol 3.

4

(5)  Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, adopted and issued by the Authority on 19.1.1994, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as OJ) L 231, 3.9.1994, p. 1 and EEA Supplement No 32, 3.9.1994, p. 1. Hereinafter referred to as the State Aid Guidelines. The updated version of the State Aid Guidelines is published on the Authority’s website (http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/legal-framework/state-aid-guidelines/).

5

Official Journal of the European Union

(6)  Hereinafter referred to the Guidelines on sale of land.

6

(7)  Decision No 195/04/COL of 14 July 2004 (published in OJ L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 and EEA Supplement No 26, 25.5.2006, p. 1), as amended. A consolidated version of the Decision can be found online (http://www.eftasurv.int).

7

(8)  According to the sales contract clause 3, the payment shall take place prior to any building activity starts and in any case before 31.12.2011.

8

(9)  Enclosure 9 to the notification.

9

(10)  Enclosure 5 to the notification.

10

(11)  Enclosure 3 to the notification.

11

(12)  Hereinafter referred to as Slependen Båtforening.

12

(13)  This sum was determined on the basis of an agreement signed in 1999 between the Municipality of Asker and Slependen Båtforening. Enclosure 8 to the letter dated 11.5.2009.

13

(14)  Enclosure 3 to the notification.

14

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V Anunțuri

PROCEDURI ADMINISTRATIVE

Comisia Europeană

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CERERE DE PROPUNERI – EAC/10/10

Programul de învățare de-a lungul vieții – Sprijin pentru două concursuri de producții audiovizuale scurte destinate promovării învățării limbilor străine

2010/C 184/07

1.   Obiective și descriere

Prezenta cerere de propuneri se bazează pe Decizia nr. 1720/2006/CE (1) care instituie programul de învățare de-a lungul vieții, adoptată de Parlamentul European și de Consiliu la 15 noiembrie 2006 și modificată prin Decizia nr. 1357/2008/CE, adoptată de Parlamentul European și de Consiliu la 16 decembrie 2008.

Obiectivul cererii de propuneri este de a acorda o subvenție pentru organizarea a două concursuri de scurte producții audiovizuale, în doi ani succesivi (un concurs în 2011 și unul în 2012). Concursurile și producțiile audiovizuale care vor rezulta își propun să promoveze învățarea limbilor străine, punând accentul pe avantajele diversității lingvistice și culturale a Europei.

Participarea producțiilor audiovizuale selecționate la renumitul festival PRIX EUROPA reprezintă punctul culminant al difuzării și valorificării rezultatelor proiectelor.

2.   Candidații eligibili

Organizațiile din sectorul producțiilor audiovizuale, al publicității și al mijloacelor de comunicare emergente, precum școlile de arte audiovizuale și de publicitate, sunt invitate să conceapă, să gestioneze și să coordoneze concursurile.

Candidații trebuie să-și aibă sediul în una dintre următoarele țări:

| — | cele 27 de state membre ale Uniunii Europene; |
| --- | --- |

—

cele 27 de state membre ale Uniunii Europene;

| — | țările AELS și SEE: Islanda, Liechtenstein, Norvegia; |
| --- | --- |

—

țările AELS și SEE: Islanda, Liechtenstein, Norvegia;

| — | țara candidată Turcia. |
| --- | --- |

—

țara candidată Turcia.

Există negocieri în curs cu Croația, Fosta Republică Iugoslavă a Macedoniei și Elveția pe tema participării, în viitor, la programul de învățare de-a lungul vieții, participare care va depinde de rezultatele negocierilor. Pentru lista actualizată a țărilor participante, vă invităm să consultați site-ul internet al Direcției Generale Educație și Cultură.

3.   Bugetul și durata proiectelor

Suma maximă a subvenției va fi de 500 000,00 EUR, acoperind atât concursul din 2011, cât și cel din 2012.

Contribuția financiară din partea Uniunii Europene nu poate depăși 75 % din costurile eligibile totale.

Comisia își rezervă dreptul de a nu distribui toate fondurile disponibile.

Activitățile trebuie să înceapă între 1 ianuarie 2011 și 31 ianuarie 2011.

Activitățile trebuie să se încheie înainte de 31 ianuarie 2013.

Proiectele pot avea o durată maximă de 24 de luni.

4.   Termen

Candidaturile trebuie trimise Comisiei cel târziu la 30 septembrie 2010.

5.   Informații suplimentare

Textul integral al cererii de propuneri și formularele de candidatură sunt disponibile pe următorul site: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/calls/grants_en.html

Candidaturile trebuie să respecte cerințele precizate în textul integral și să fie transmise utilizând formularul prevăzut în acest scop.

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(1)  Decizia nr. 1720/2006/CE a Parlamentului European și a Consiliului din 15 noiembrie 2006 de stabilire a unui program de acțiune în domeniul învățării continue: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=DD:16:03:32006D1720:RO:PDF și Decizia nr. 1357/2008/CE a Parlamentului European și a Consiliului din 16 decembrie 2008 de modificare a Deciziei nr. 1720/2006/CE: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:350:0056:0057:RO:PDF

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PROCEDURI REFERITOARE LA PUNEREA ÎN APLICARE A POLITICII ÎN DOMENIUL CONCURENȚEI

Comisia Europeană

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8.7.2010

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Notificare prealabilă a unei concentrări

(Cazul COMP/M.5908 – Honeywell/Sperian)

(Text cu relevanță pentru SEE)

2010/C 184/08

| 1. | La data de 30 iunie 2010, Comisia a primit o notificare privind o concentrare propusă în temeiul articolului 4 din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 139/2004 al Consiliului (1) prin care întreprinderea Honeywell International Inc. („Honeywell”, SUA) dobândește, în sensul articolului 3 alineatul (1) litera (b) din Regulamentul privind concentrările economice, asupra întregii întreprinderi Sperian Protection SA („Sperian”, Franța) prin achiziționare de acțiuni. |
| --- | --- |

1.

La data de 30 iunie 2010, Comisia a primit o notificare privind o concentrare propusă în temeiul articolului 4 din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 139/2004 al Consiliului (1) prin care întreprinderea Honeywell International Inc. („Honeywell”, SUA) dobândește, în sensul articolului 3 alineatul (1) litera (b) din Regulamentul privind concentrările economice, asupra întregii întreprinderi Sperian Protection SA („Sperian”, Franța) prin achiziționare de acțiuni.

| 2. | Activitățile economice ale întreprinderilor respective sunt:






  — | în cazul întreprinderii Honeywell: producător de talie mondială, activ în diverse domenii (energie, siguranță și securitate), inclusiv echipamente de protecție personală; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

Activitățile economice ale întreprinderilor respective sunt:

—

în cazul întreprinderii Honeywell: producător de talie mondială, activ în diverse domenii (energie, siguranță și securitate), inclusiv echipamente de protecție personală;

| — | în cazul întreprinderii Sperian: producător de talie mondială de echipamente de protecție personală. |
| --- | --- |

—

în cazul întreprinderii Sperian: producător de talie mondială de echipamente de protecție personală.

| 3. | În urma unei examinări prealabile, Comisia constată că tranzacția notificată ar putea intra sub incidența Regulamentului (CE) privind concentrările economice. Cu toate acestea nu se ia o decizie finală în această privință. |
| --- | --- |

3.

În urma unei examinări prealabile, Comisia constată că tranzacția notificată ar putea intra sub incidența Regulamentului (CE) privind concentrările economice. Cu toate acestea nu se ia o decizie finală în această privință.

| 4. | Comisia invită părțile terțe interesate să îi prezinte eventualele observații cu privire la operațiunea propusă.
  Observațiile trebuie primite de către Comisie în termen de cel mult 10 zile de la data publicării prezentei. Observațiile pot fi trimise Comisiei prin fax (+32 22964301), prin e-mail la adresa COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu sau prin poștă, cu numărul de referință COMP/M.5908 – Honeywell/Sperian, la următoarea adresă:





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

4.

Comisia invită părțile terțe interesate să îi prezinte eventualele observații cu privire la operațiunea propusă.

Observațiile trebuie primite de către Comisie în termen de cel mult 10 zile de la data publicării prezentei. Observațiile pot fi trimise Comisiei prin fax (+32 22964301), prin e-mail la adresa COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu sau prin poștă, cu numărul de referință COMP/M.5908 – Honeywell/Sperian, la următoarea adresă:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  JO L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 [„Regulamentul (CE) privind concentrările economice”].

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ALTE ACTE

Comisia Europeană

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Publicarea unei cereri în temeiul articolului 6 alineatul (2) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 510/2006 al Consiliului privind protecția indicațiilor geografice și a denumirilor de origine ale produselor agricole și alimentare

2010/C 184/09

Prezenta publicare conferă dreptul de opoziție la cererea de înregistrare în temeiul articolului 7 din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 510/2006 al Consiliului (1). Declarațiile de opoziție trebuie să parvină Comisiei în termen de șase luni de la data prezentei publicări.

DOCUMENT UNIC

REGULAMENTUL (CE) NR. 510/2006 AL CONSILIULUI

„MIELE DELLE DOLOMITI BELLUNESI”

Nr. CE: IT-PDO-0005-0776-09.06.2009

IGP ( ) DOP ( X )

1.   Denumire

„Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi”

2.   Statul membru sau țara terță

Italia

3.   Descrierea produsului agricol sau alimentar

3.1.   Tip de produs

| Clasa 1.4. | Alte produse de origine animală |
| --- | --- |

Clasa 1.4.

Alte produse de origine animală

3.2.   Descrierea produsului căruia i se aplică denumirea „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi”

Produsul „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” este obținut din nectarul florilor de pe teritoriul montan al provinciei Belluno, din ecotipul local „Apis mellifera”, care derivă din încrucișări naturale între diverse specii apicole, în special încrucișarea dintre Ligustica și Carnica; aceasta s-a adaptat în mod special de-a lungul timpului la condițiile de mediu din zona montană a provinciei Belluno și permite obținerea unor cantități mari de miere.

În funcție de diferitele specii botanice care înfloresc treptat în timpul perioadei de producție și deci în funcție de originea florală, se disting următoarele tipuri de „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi”: „Millefiori” (polifloră), „di Acacia” (de salcâm), „di Tiglio” (de tei), „di Castagno” (de castan), „di Rododendro” (de rododendron) și „di Tarassaco” (de păpădie).

A.   Caracteristici chimico-fizice

Toate tipurile de „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” trebuie să aibă următoarele caracteristici chimico-fizice:

HMF (la comercializare) < 10 mg/kg

Produsul „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” trebuie să prezinte, în diferitele sale variante, următoarele caracteristici chimico-fizice:

| Tip de miere | Apă (%) | pH | Fructoză + glucoză (%) | Zaharoză (%) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max |
| Millefiori (polifloră) | 15 | 18 | 3,4 | 4,4 | 69 | 78 | 0 | 3,8 |
| Acacia (salcâm) | 15 | 18 | 3,7 | 4,1 | 61 | 77 | 0 | 10 |
| Tiglio (tei) | 16,5 | 17,8 | 4 | 4,1 | 67 | 70 | 0,8 | 4,6 |
| Castagno (castan) | 16,5 | 18 | 4,4 | 5,8 | 61 | 74 | 0 | 2,4 |
| Rododendro (rododendron) | 16 | 17,7 | 3,7 | 4,2 | 65 | 72 | 0,1 | 0,7 |
| Tarassaco (păpădie) | 17 | 18 | 4,3 | 4,7 | 37,8 | 38,5 | 0,1 | 0,4 |

Tip de miere

Apă (%)

pH

Fructoză + glucoză (%)

Zaharoză (%)

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Millefiori (polifloră)

15

18

3,4

4,4

69

78

0

3,8

Acacia (salcâm)

15

18

3,7

4,1

61

77

0

10

Tiglio (tei)

16,5

17,8

4

4,1

67

70

0,8

4,6

Castagno (castan)

16,5

18

4,4

5,8

61

74

0

2,4

Rododendro (rododendron)

16

17,7

3,7

4,2

65

72

0,1

0,7

Tarassaco (păpădie)

17

18

4,3

4,7

37,8

38,5

0,1

0,4

B.   Caracteristici ale polenului (melisopalinologice)

Spectrul polenic general este cel caracteristic florei montane. Totuși, în funcție de originea florală, spectrul polenic al diverselor tipuri de „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi”, trebuie să respecte următoarele cerințe:

| Tip de miere | Polen |
| --- | --- |
| Millefiori (polifloră) | cu precădere: păpădie, tei, castan, rododendron, diferite plante labiacee |
| Acacia (salcâm) | > 30 % Robinia pseudoacacia L. |
| Tiglio (tei) | > 10 % Tilia spp. |
| Castagno (castan) | > 70 % Castanea sativa M. |
| Rododendro (rododendron) | > 20 % Rododendrum spp. |
| Tarassaco (păpădie) | > 5 % < 30 % Taraxacum spp. |

Tip de miere

Polen

Millefiori (polifloră)

cu precădere: păpădie, tei, castan, rododendron, diferite plante labiacee

Acacia (salcâm)

> 30 % Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Tiglio (tei)

> 10 % Tilia spp.

Castagno (castan)

> 70 % Castanea sativa M.

Rododendro (rododendron)

> 20 % Rododendrum spp.

Tarassaco (păpădie)

> 5 % < 30 % Taraxacum spp.

C.   Caracteristici organoleptice

Caracteristicile organoleptice depind de originea florală și sunt, așadar, diferite în funcție de fiecare tip de miere:

Millefiori sau Multiflora (polifloră): culoare de la galben deschis la chihlimbariu, gust dulceag, catifelat cu pronunțată tendință de cristalizare.

Acacia sau Robinia (salcâm): culoare deschisă, chihlimbarie, transparentă, gust delicat și foarte dulce, cu parfum care amintește florile de salcâm, tipic lichidă.

Tiglio (tei): culoare variabilă de la galben la verzui, gust cu un ușor gust rezidual amărui, miros proaspăt, balsamic, aspect cleios cu cristalizare întârziată.

Castagno (castan): culoare maron închis, gust puțin dulce, amărui, taninos, miros puternic și aromat, predominant lichidă.

Rododendro (rododendron): de la aproape incoloră la albă sau bej deschis după cristalizare, gust delicat, miros vegetal și fructat, aspect lichid și apoi cleios cu granulație fină.

Tarassaco (păpădie): miere cu reflexe galbene, puțin sau normal dulce, de obicei acidă, ușor amăruie, astringentă.

3.3.   Materii prime

Nu este cazul.

3.4.   Hrană pentru animale

Pentru o eventuală hrănire proteică cu polen a familiilor de albine este interzisă utilizarea produselor ce conțin polen de origine diferită față de polenul strict local.

O practică adoptată în mod normal, este aceea care prevede strângerea de faguri cu polen sau numai a polenului, acesta din urmă cu ajutorul capcanelor, uscarea și depozitarea în congelator în timpul perioadelor cu producție ridicată și apoi reutilizarea acestuia în perioadele cu producție redusă.

3.5.   Etape specifice ale producției care trebuie să se desfășoare în aria geografică delimitată

Produsul „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” este obținut, transformat și prelucrat în aria geografică identificată la punctul 4.

Mierea este produsă în stupării permanente sau care sunt mutate periodic numai în interiorul teritoriului montan de producție; această miere este extrasă direct din fagurii de miere prin centrifugare.

Strângerea mierii se face întotdeauna în faze succesive, concomitent cu diversele înfloriri, cu scopul de a obține un produs monofloral diferențiat.

3.6.   Norme specifice privind felierea, răzuirea, ambalarea, etc.

Pentru ambalarea produsului „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” sunt utilizate recipiente din sticlă de 250, 500 sau 1 000 de grame, închise cu capac metalic și sigilate cu etichetă. Este, de asemenea, permisă ambalarea mierii în format monodoză, utilizând mici recipiente din sticlă, pliculețe, tăvițe sau alte recipiente din materiale adecvate.

3.7.   Norme specifice privind etichetarea

Sigla „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi DOP” este constituită dintr-un cerc neregulat, reprezentat astfel: în partea de sus, o fâșie de culoare verde pe care este scris cu litere de culoare albă „MIELE DELLE DOLOMITI BELLUNESI”; în interiorul cercului se regăsesc trei dungi neregulate de culoare galbenă, albastră și verde și o schiță a celor trei vârfuri ale muntelui Lavaredo reprezentate de picăturile de miere desprinse din tradiționala lingură pentru miere; în partea de jos este scris cu litere galbene „D.O.P.”, așa cum rezultă din imaginea de mai jos. Este posibilă adăugarea pe etichetă a indicației suplimentare „prodotto della montagna” (produs montan) în conformitate cu legislația națională.

Image

4.   Delimitare concisă a ariei geografice

Aria geografică de producție a „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi DOP” cuprinde întregul teritoriu al Provinciei Belluno, situat în totalitate în zonă montană și delimitat de lanțuri muntoase care separă în mod natural aria geografică de provinciile și regiunile limitrofe și de Austria, situată la granița de nord.

5.   Legătura cu aria geografică

5.1.   Specificitatea ariei geografice

Factori de mediu

Aria de producție este reprezentată de un teritoriu montan, format din văi și vârfuri situate la cote înalte, care prezintă caracteristicile pedoclimatice și ecologice ale Alpilor, bogat în păduri și pășuni.

În aria de producție nu sunt prezente mari instalații industriale, nici activități agricole intensive și nici mari artere de circulație, surse potențiale de poluare chiar și pentru produsele apicole. Aceste condiții permit obținerea unei mieri curate și salubre, fără metale grele sau agenți poluanți de mediu.

Condițiile de climă și de mediu din provincia Belluno, cum ar fi temperatura și precipitațiile cu valori medii, rezultate din arhivele istorice, sunt mult diferite față de celelalte zone limitrofe de câmpie și de valorile medii din regiunea Veneto, influențând în mod pozitiv secreția nectariferă, calitatea produsului și durata de conservare a acestuia.

Temperaturile joase și precipitațiile abundente permit acestei zone să dețină primul loc în cadrul regiunilor italiene, în ceea ce privește suprafața mare de pășuni și câmpii, determinând dezvoltarea unei flore alpine foarte bogate ce crește în cea mai mare parte pe substraturile calcaroase din Dolomiți, numărând peste 2 200 de specii (1/3 din flora de pe întreg teritoriul Italiei) și care permite albinelor să aleagă cele mai bune surse vegetale de unde să culeagă nectarul și polenul.

Munții din provincia Belluno erau recunoscuți deja, în secolele trecute, pentru valoarea florei de pe pășunile și câmpiile alpine; bogăția și caracterul particular al acestei flore constituie unul dintre principalele motive științifice ale recunoașterii comunitare, naționale și regionale a Parcurilor din provincia Belluno.

De mare importanță, în cadrul florei cu tulpină înaltă, sunt pădurile de zadă, fag, pin de pădure și brad roșu care caracterizează zona. La poalele pereților stâncoși se întind păduri dese de conifere și de foioase și pajiști alpine, bogate în floră, cu numeroase specii endemice între care rododendron, cardon, flori-de-colț și alte plante de munte. În văi, flora vasculară a provinciei Belluno acoperă o varietate considerabilă de peste 1 400 de entități, iar printre acestea nu puține sunt acelea care merită să fie amintite deoarece sunt endemice, rare, sau de mare valoare fitogeografică.

Flora erbacee mixtă și cea lemnoasă sunt bogate în specii considerate printre cele mai bune din punct de vedere apicol și al polenizării, cum ar fi salcâmul, rododendronul, păpădia, teiul, iarba neagră, trifoiul, precum și o listă lungă de specii care se regăsesc în mierea polifloră.

De asemenea, este foarte importantă prezența florei cu nectar, tipică zonei de munte, cum ar fi castanul (Castanea Sativa) și cardonul (Cardus s.p.), deoarece nectarul reprezintă hrana necesară pentru desfășurarea ciclului biologic al albinelor. Lucrări de licență și cercetări au demonstrat că producția de nectar este mai ridicată la plantele cultivate la munte față de cele care cresc la câmpie.

Factori umani

Activitatea apicolă a fost dintotdeauna răspândită în munții din provincia Belluno, chiar din timpuri foarte îndepărtate când, cu ajutorul stupilor rudimentari („bugni”), strângerea mierii necesita multă pricepere din partea producătorilor pentru a evita distrugerea unor colonii întregi de albine.

Chiar și în timpurile cele mai dificile, apicultura a fost întotdeauna o activitate foarte practicată în aceste teritorii prin utilizarea unor simpli stupi țărănești. Introducerea inovatoare a stupilor „Dadant Blatt” a facilitat producerea mierii, dar și astăzi în munții din provincia Belluno, activitatea apicolă este condusă în mod artizanal și impune producătorilor capacități specifice în ceea ce privește poziționarea și gestionarea stupilor, metoda de strângere a mierii, alegerea perioadei care permite diferențierea mierii pe diverse specii florale, precum și în ceea ce privește tehnicile de conservare.

Astăzi, cea mai mare parte dintre apicultori operează în Văile Belluno și Feltrina, iar alături de aceștia se află numeroși producători de mare altitudine care produc o miere deosebit de apreciată, și anume mierea de rododendron.

5.2.   Specificitatea produsului

Mierea monofloră oglindește speciile din teritoriu, considerate printre cele mai bune din punct de vedere apicol, polinifer și nectarifer, cum ar fi salcâmul, rododendronul, păpădia, teiul, castanul, care sunt prezente în cea mai mare parte doar în zona montană și din acest motiv oferă o calitate superioară mierii obținute în munții provinciei Belluno. Mierea polifloră este produsă dintr-o mare varietate de specii alpine, alese de albine dintre cele peste 2 200 care caracterizează munții din provincia Belluno.

În afară de „valoare florală”, produsul „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” prezintă alte calități fundamentale, cum ar fi puritatea, salubritatea și gradul înalt de conservare, calități dovedite și de conținutul scăzut de HMF, care derivă atât din caracteristicile ariei geografice, cât și din priceperea producătorilor.

5.3.   Legătura cauzală dintre aria geografică și calitatea sau caracteristicile produsului (pentru DOP) sau o calitate anume, reputația sau alte caracteristici ale produsului (pentru IGP)

Mediul montan alpin, caracterizat de temperaturi scăzute, precipitații abundente și terenuri de origine dolomitică, permite dezvoltarea unei flore alpine bogate în arbori și plante erbacee ce prezintă interes din punct de vedere apicol, făcând din provincia Belluno o zonă potrivită pentru producerea unei mieri de înaltă calitate, provenind din specii vegetale prezente în exclusivitate sau în cea mai mare parte doar în zonele muntoase alpine.

Temperaturile scăzute tot timpul anului, cu mult inferioare mediei regionale sau naționale, influențează de asemenea în mod pozitiv atât calitatea mierii, cât și capacitatea de conservare a acesteia, întrucât împiedică orice tip de fermentare anormală și permit o conservare mai mare în timp a caracteristicilor organoleptice și a compoziției.

Presiunea antropică scăzută (populație, industrie, căi de comunicare), situația de izolare tipică zonelor de munte și mai ales capacitatea producătorilor de a desfășura în mod profesional o activitate rămasă la nivel artizanal, permit obținerea unui produs mai pur și mai salubru decât cel obținut în zonele de câmpie.

Creșterea albinelor, dintotdeauna răspândită în provincia Belluno, în afară de a rotunji veniturile locuitorilor, a reprezentat de-a lungul secolelor o rezervă de energie utilizată ca hrană în lunile de izolare din timpul iernii, iar în bucătărie ca îndulcitor pentru prepararea diferitelor rețete tradiționale locale. Mierea provenind din munții provinciei Belluno este comercializată cu acest nume pe etichetă de peste 35 de ani, fiind prezentă cu aceeași denumire încă din anii ’80 la numeroase târguri și expoziții agricole locale de la munte, așa cum este atestat de numeroase diplome, fotografii ale producătorilor la diferite întâlniri apicole și articole din anii ’80. Fotografii din aceeași perioadă atestă renumele denumirii „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” în diverse mărci și etichete. Dintotdeauna, produsul „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” a fost utilizat și în multe rețete tipice, ca ingredient pentru prăjituri și pentru pâinea caracteristică din Cadore și din Ampezzo, precum și la prepararea lichiorului tipic din miere, sau consumat împreună cu tipurile de brânză locală. Produsul, este astăzi foarte căutat de consumatori, în special de turiști, care recunoscând particularitățile care îl caracterizează, îl cumpără în perioadele de vacanțe pentru a-l consuma pe tot parcursul anului, răspândindu-l în toate regiunile italiene.

Trimitere la publicarea caietului de sarcini

[Articolul 5 alineatul (7) din Regulamentul (CE) nr. 510/2006]

Administrația actuală a deschis procedura națională de opoziție prin publicarea propunerii de recunoaștere a denumirii de origine protejate „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” în „Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana” nr. 285 din 5 decembrie 2008.

Textul consolidat al caietului de sarcini este disponibil la adresa:

www.politicheagricole.it/DocumentiPubblicazioni/Search_Documenti_Elenco.htm?txtTipoDocumento=Disciplinare%20in%20esame%20UE&txtDocArgomento=Prodotti%20di%20Qualit%E0>Prodotti%20Dop,%20Igp%20e%20Stg

sau accesând direct pagina de internet a Ministerului Politicilor Agricole, Alimentare și Forestiere (www.politicheagricole.it) și făcând clic pe „Prodotti di Qualità” (Produse de calitate) (în partea stângă a ecranului) și apoi pe „Disciplinari di Produzione all'esame dell'UE” [„Caiete de sarcini ale produselor supuse analizei UE, Regulamentul (CE) nr. 510/2006”].

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(1)  JO L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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