# Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali C 174/2010

| | ISSN 1725-5198
  doi:10.3000/17255198.C_2010.174.mlt |
| --- | --- |
| Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali
  tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174 |
| | |
| Edizzjoni bil-Malti | Informazzjoni u Avviżi | Volum 531 ta' Lulju 2010 |

ISSN 1725-5198

doi:10.3000/17255198.C_2010.174.mlt

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali

tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174

Edizzjoni bil-Malti

Informazzjoni u Avviżi

Volum 531 ta' Lulju 2010

---

| Avviż Nru | Werrej | Paġna |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Informazzjoni |
| | INFORMAZZJONI MINN ISTITUZZJONIJIET, KORPI, UFFIĊĊJI U AĠENZIJI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA |
| | Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| 2010/C 174/01 | Rata tal-kambju tal-euro | 1 |
| | INFORMAZZJONI MILL-ISTATI MEMBRI |
| 2010/C 174/02 | Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni skont il-proċedura stipulata fl-Artikolu 16(4), il-punt 1, tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1008/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill dwar regoli komuni għall-operat ta' servizzi tal-ajru fil-Komunità – Obbligi ta' servizz pubbliku imposti fuq servizzi tal-ajru bi skeda bejn Elba Marina di Campo–Firenze u viċe versa, Elba Marina di Campo–Pisa u viċeversa (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| 2010/C 174/03 | Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni skont il-proċedura stipulata fl-Artikolu 17(5) tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1008/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill dwar regoli komuni għall-operat ta' servizzi tal-ajru fil-Komunità – Stedina għall-offerti rigward l-operat ta’ servizzi tal-ajru bi skeda skont obbligi ta’ servizz pubbliku msemmija fl-avviż ippubblikat fil-ĠU C 174, 1.7.2010, p. 2 (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| | INFORMAZZJONI DWAR IŻ-ŻONA EKONOMIKA EWROPEA |
| | Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza EFTA |
| 2010/C 174/04 | Stedina biex jitressqu kummenti skont l-Artikolu 1(2) fil-Parti I tal-Protokoll 3 tal-Ftehim bejn l-Istati tal-EFTA dwar it-Twaqqif ta’ Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza u Qorti tal-Ġustizzja dwar l-għajnuna mill-Istat rigward għajnuna li allegatament ingħatat lill-kumpaniji li huma proprjetà ta' Norsk film group | 3 |
| 2010/C 174/05 | Ma tikkostitwixxix għajnuna mill-istat skont it-tifsira tal-Artikolu 61 tal-Ftehim taż-ŻEE | 13 |
| 2010/C 174/06 | L-Avviż tal-Awtorità tas-Sorveljanza tal-EFTA dwar ir-rati tal-interessi ta' rkupru tal-għajnuna mill-Istat u r-rati ta' referenza/skont attwali għal tliet Stati tal-EFTA li japplikaw mill-1 ta' Jannar 2010(Ippubblikat b'konformità mal-Artikolu 10 tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità Nru 195/04/COL tal-14 ta' Lulju 2004 (ĠU L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 u fis-Suppliment taż-ŻEE Nru 26/2006, 25.5.2006, p. 1.)) | 14 |

Avviż Nru

Werrej

Paġna

IV   Informazzjoni

INFORMAZZJONI MINN ISTITUZZJONIJIET, KORPI, UFFIĊĊJI U AĠENZIJI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

2010/C 174/01

Rata tal-kambju tal-euro

1

INFORMAZZJONI MILL-ISTATI MEMBRI

2010/C 174/02

Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni skont il-proċedura stipulata fl-Artikolu 16(4), il-punt 1, tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1008/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill dwar regoli komuni għall-operat ta' servizzi tal-ajru fil-Komunità – Obbligi ta' servizz pubbliku imposti fuq servizzi tal-ajru bi skeda bejn Elba Marina di Campo–Firenze u viċe versa, Elba Marina di Campo–Pisa u viċeversa (
  1
  )

1

2

2010/C 174/03

Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni skont il-proċedura stipulata fl-Artikolu 17(5) tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1008/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill dwar regoli komuni għall-operat ta' servizzi tal-ajru fil-Komunità – Stedina għall-offerti rigward l-operat ta’ servizzi tal-ajru bi skeda skont obbligi ta’ servizz pubbliku msemmija fl-avviż ippubblikat fil-ĠU C 174, 1.7.2010, p. 2 (
  1
  )

1

2

INFORMAZZJONI DWAR IŻ-ŻONA EKONOMIKA EWROPEA

Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza EFTA

2010/C 174/04

Stedina biex jitressqu kummenti skont l-Artikolu 1(2) fil-Parti I tal-Protokoll 3 tal-Ftehim bejn l-Istati tal-EFTA dwar it-Twaqqif ta’ Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza u Qorti tal-Ġustizzja dwar l-għajnuna mill-Istat rigward għajnuna li allegatament ingħatat lill-kumpaniji li huma proprjetà ta' Norsk film group

3

2010/C 174/05

Ma tikkostitwixxix għajnuna mill-istat skont it-tifsira tal-Artikolu 61 tal-Ftehim taż-ŻEE

13

2010/C 174/06

L-Avviż tal-Awtorità tas-Sorveljanza tal-EFTA dwar ir-rati tal-interessi ta' rkupru tal-għajnuna mill-Istat u r-rati ta' referenza/skont attwali għal tliet Stati tal-EFTA li japplikaw mill-1 ta' Jannar 2010(Ippubblikat b'konformità mal-Artikolu 10 tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità Nru 195/04/COL tal-14 ta' Lulju 2004 (ĠU L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 u fis-Suppliment taż-ŻEE Nru 26/2006, 25.5.2006, p. 1.))

(Ippubblikat b'konformità mal-Artikolu 10 tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità Nru 195/04/COL tal-14 ta' Lulju 2004 (ĠU L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 u fis-Suppliment taż-ŻEE Nru 26/2006, 25.5.2006, p. 1.))

14

| | V   Avviżi |
| --- | --- |
| | PROĊEDURI DWAR L-IMPLIMENTAZZJONI TAL-POLITIKA TAL-KOMPETIZZJONI |
| | Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| 2010/C 174/07 | Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni (Każ COMP/M.5848 – Delta/Eneco/PVNED) – Każ li jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għal proċedura simplifikata (
  1
  ) | 15 |
| 2010/C 174/08 | Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni (Każ COMP/M.5830 – Olympic/Aegean Airlines) (
  1
  ) | 16 |

V   Avviżi

PROĊEDURI DWAR L-IMPLIMENTAZZJONI TAL-POLITIKA TAL-KOMPETIZZJONI

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

2010/C 174/07

Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni (Każ COMP/M.5848 – Delta/Eneco/PVNED) – Każ li jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għal proċedura simplifikata (
  1
  )

1

15

2010/C 174/08

Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni (Każ COMP/M.5830 – Olympic/Aegean Airlines) (
  1
  )

1

16

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE |

---

(1)   Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE

1

| MT | |
| --- | --- |

MT

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IV Informazzjoni

INFORMAZZJONI MINN ISTITUZZJONIJIET, KORPI, UFFIĊĊJI U AĠENZIJI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/1

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Rata tal-kambju tal-euro (1)

It-30 ta’ Ġunju 2010

2010/C 174/01

1 euro =

| | Munita | Rata tal-kambju |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | Dollaru Amerikan | 1,2271 |
| JPY | Yen Ġappuniż | 108,79 |
| DKK | Krona Daniża | 7,4488 |
| GBP | Lira Sterlina | 0,81745 |
| SEK | Krona Żvediża | 9,5259 |
| CHF | Frank Żvizzeru | 1,3283 |
| ISK | Krona Iżlandiża | |
| NOK | Krona Norveġiża | 7,9725 |
| BGN | Lev Bulgaru | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Krona Ċeka | 25,691 |
| EEK | Krona Estona | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Forint Ungeriż | 286,00 |
| LTL | Litas Litwan | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Lats Latvjan | 0,7093 |
| PLN | Zloty Pollakk | 4,1470 |
| RON | Leu Rumen | 4,3700 |
| TRY | Lira Turka | 1,9400 |
| AUD | Dollaru Awstraljan | 1,4403 |
| CAD | Dollaru Kanadiż | 1,2890 |
| HKD | Dollaru ta' Hong Kong | 9,5549 |
| NZD | Dollaru tan-New Zealand | 1,7761 |
| SGD | Dollaru tas-Singapor | 1,7160 |
| KRW | Won tal-Korea t'Isfel | 1 499,59 |
| ZAR | Rand ta' l-Afrika t'Isfel | 9,3808 |
| CNY | Yuan ren-min-bi Ċiniż | 8,3215 |
| HRK | Kuna Kroata | 7,1980 |
| IDR | Rupiah Indoneżjan | 11 121,85 |
| MYR | Ringgit Malażjan | 3,9730 |
| PHP | Peso Filippin | 56,873 |
| RUB | Rouble Russu | 38,2820 |
| THB | Baht Tajlandiż | 39,767 |
| BRL | Real Brażiljan | 2,2082 |
| MXN | Peso Messikan | 15,7363 |
| INR | Rupi Indjan | 56,9930 |

Munita

Rata tal-kambju

USD

Dollaru Amerikan

1,2271

JPY

Yen Ġappuniż

108,79

DKK

Krona Daniża

7,4488

GBP

Lira Sterlina

0,81745

SEK

Krona Żvediża

9,5259

CHF

Frank Żvizzeru

1,3283

ISK

Krona Iżlandiża

NOK

Krona Norveġiża

7,9725

BGN

Lev Bulgaru

1,9558

CZK

Krona Ċeka

25,691

EEK

Krona Estona

15,6466

HUF

Forint Ungeriż

286,00

LTL

Litas Litwan

3,4528

LVL

Lats Latvjan

0,7093

PLN

Zloty Pollakk

4,1470

RON

Leu Rumen

4,3700

TRY

Lira Turka

1,9400

AUD

Dollaru Awstraljan

1,4403

CAD

Dollaru Kanadiż

1,2890

HKD

Dollaru ta' Hong Kong

9,5549

NZD

Dollaru tan-New Zealand

1,7761

SGD

Dollaru tas-Singapor

1,7160

KRW

Won tal-Korea t'Isfel

1 499,59

ZAR

Rand ta' l-Afrika t'Isfel

9,3808

CNY

Yuan ren-min-bi Ċiniż

8,3215

HRK

Kuna Kroata

7,1980

IDR

Rupiah Indoneżjan

11 121,85

MYR

Ringgit Malażjan

3,9730

PHP

Peso Filippin

56,873

RUB

Rouble Russu

38,2820

THB

Baht Tajlandiż

39,767

BRL

Real Brażiljan

2,2082

MXN

Peso Messikan

15,7363

INR

Rupi Indjan

56,9930

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(1)  Sors: rata tal-kambju ta' referenza ppubblikata mill-Bank Ċentrali Ewropew.

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INFORMAZZJONI MILL-ISTATI MEMBRI

| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/2

---

Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni skont il-proċedura stipulata fl-Artikolu 16(4), il-punt 1, tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1008/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill dwar regoli komuni għall-operat ta' servizzi tal-ajru fil-Komunità

Obbligi ta' servizz pubbliku imposti fuq servizzi tal-ajru bi skeda bejn Elba Marina di Campo–Firenze u viċe versa, Elba Marina di Campo–Pisa u viċeversa

(Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE)

2010/C 174/02

| Stat Membru | L-Italja |
| --- | --- |
| Rotta konċernata | Elba Marina di Campo–Firenze u viċeversa, u
  Elba Marina di Campo–Pisa u viċeversa |
| Data tad-dħul fis-seħħ tal-obbligi ta’ servizz pubbliku | 180 jum wara l-pubblikazzjoni ta’ dan l-avviż fil-ĠU tal-UE. |
| L-indirizz minn fejn informazzjoni u/jew dokumentazzjoni rilevanti marbuta mal-obbligu ta' servizz pubbliku tista' tinkiseb mingħajr ħlas | E.N.A.C. Ente nazionale per l’aviazione civile |
| Direzione centrale sviluppo economico |
| Direzione sviluppo trasporto aereo |
| Viale del Castro Pretorio 118 |
| 00185 Roma RM |
| ITALIA |
| http://www.enac.gov.it |
| Posta elettronika: osp@enac.gov.it |

Stat Membru

L-Italja

Rotta konċernata

Elba Marina di Campo–Firenze u viċeversa, u

Elba Marina di Campo–Pisa u viċeversa

Data tad-dħul fis-seħħ tal-obbligi ta’ servizz pubbliku

180 jum wara l-pubblikazzjoni ta’ dan l-avviż fil-ĠU tal-UE.

L-indirizz minn fejn informazzjoni u/jew dokumentazzjoni rilevanti marbuta mal-obbligu ta' servizz pubbliku tista' tinkiseb mingħajr ħlas

E.N.A.C. Ente nazionale per l’aviazione civile

Direzione centrale sviluppo economico

Direzione sviluppo trasporto aereo

Viale del Castro Pretorio 118

00185 Roma RM

ITALIA

http://www.enac.gov.it

Posta elettronika: osp@enac.gov.it

---

| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/2

---

Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni skont il-proċedura stipulata fl-Artikolu 17(5) tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1008/2008 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill dwar regoli komuni għall-operat ta' servizzi tal-ajru fil-Komunità

Stedina għall-offerti rigward l-operat ta’ servizzi tal-ajru bi skeda skont obbligi ta’ servizz pubbliku msemmija fl-avviż ippubblikat fil-ĠU C 174, 1.7.2010, p. 2

(Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE)

2010/C 174/03

| Stat Membru | L-Italja |
| --- | --- |
| Grupp ta' rotot tal-ajru kkonċernati | Elba Marina di Campo–Firenze u viċeversa,
  Elba Marina di Campo–Pisa u viċeversa |
| Perjodu tal-validità tal-kuntratt | Sena (mid-data tad-dħul fis-seħħ tal-obbligi) |
| Skadenza għat-tressiq tal-offerti | Xahrejn wara l-pubblikazzjoni ta’ dan l-avviż |
| L-indirizz minn fejn it-test tas-sejħa għall-offerti u kwalunkwe informazzjoni u/jew dokumentazzjoni rilevanti marbuta mal-offerta pubblika u mal-obbligu tas-servizz pubbliku jistgħu jinkisbu bla ħlas | ENAC — Ente nazionale per l’aviazione civile |
| Direzione centrale sviluppo economico |
| Direzione sviluppo trasporto aereo |
| Viale del Castro Pretorio 118 |
| 00185 Roma RM |
| ITALIA |
| http://www.enac.gov.it |
| Posta elettronika: osp@enac.gov.it |

Stat Membru

L-Italja

Grupp ta' rotot tal-ajru kkonċernati

Elba Marina di Campo–Firenze u viċeversa,

Elba Marina di Campo–Pisa u viċeversa

Perjodu tal-validità tal-kuntratt

Sena (mid-data tad-dħul fis-seħħ tal-obbligi)

Skadenza għat-tressiq tal-offerti

Xahrejn wara l-pubblikazzjoni ta’ dan l-avviż

L-indirizz minn fejn it-test tas-sejħa għall-offerti u kwalunkwe informazzjoni u/jew dokumentazzjoni rilevanti marbuta mal-offerta pubblika u mal-obbligu tas-servizz pubbliku jistgħu jinkisbu bla ħlas

ENAC — Ente nazionale per l’aviazione civile

Direzione centrale sviluppo economico

Direzione sviluppo trasporto aereo

Viale del Castro Pretorio 118

00185 Roma RM

ITALIA

http://www.enac.gov.it

Posta elettronika: osp@enac.gov.it

---

INFORMAZZJONI DWAR IŻ-ŻONA EKONOMIKA EWROPEA

Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza EFTA

| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/3

---

Stedina biex jitressqu kummenti skont l-Artikolu 1(2) fil-Parti I tal-Protokoll 3 tal-Ftehim bejn l-Istati tal-EFTA dwar it-Twaqqif ta’ Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza u Qorti tal-Ġustizzja dwar l-għajnuna mill-Istat rigward għajnuna li allegatament ingħatat lill-kumpaniji li huma proprjetà ta' Norsk film group

2010/C 174/04

Permezz tad-Deċiżjoni Nru 491/09/COL tat-2 ta' Diċembru 2009, riprodotta fil-lingwa awtentika fil-paġni ta' wara dan is-sommarju, l-Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza tal-EFTA bdiet proċedimenti skont l-Artikolu 1(2) fil-Parti I tal-Protokoll 3 tal-Ftehim bejn l-Istati tal-EFTA dwar it-Twaqqif ta' Awtorità ta' Sorveljanza u Qorti tal-Ġustizzja. L-awtoritajiet Norveġiżi ġew mgħarrfa b'dan permezz ta' kopja tad-Deċiżjoni.

L-Awtorità ta’ Sorveljanza tal-EFTA b'dan tavża lill-Istati tal-EFTA, lill-Istati Membri tal-UE u lill-partijiet interessati biex iressqu l-kummenti tagħhom dwar il-miżuri inkwistjoni fi żmien xahar mill-pubblikazzjoni ta’ din in-notifika lil:

| L-Awtorità ta’ Sorveljanza tal-EFTA |
| --- |
| Ir-Reġistru |
| Rue Belliard 35 |
| 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

L-Awtorità ta’ Sorveljanza tal-EFTA

Ir-Reġistru

Rue Belliard 35

1040 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Il-kummenti se jkunu kkomunikati lill-awtoritajiet Norveġiżi. Il-parti interessata li tressaq il-kummenti tista’ titlob bil-miktub biex l-identità tagħha tibqa’ kunfidenzjali, filwaqt li tagħti r-raġunijiet għat-talba.

SOMMARJU

Il-proċedura

Permezz ta' ittra bid-data tat-23 ta' Marzu 2006, disa’ kumpaniji tal-films Norveġiżi ressqu lment mal-Awtorità tas-Sorveljanza tal-EFTA (minn hawn ’il quddiem “l-Awtorità”) rigward għotjiet li allegatament ingħataw lil Norsk FilmStudio AS.

Diversi talbiet għal informazzjoni ntbagħtu lill-awtoritajiet Norveġiżi u l-informazzjoni ġiet ipprovduta.

Valutazzjoni tal-miżura

Id-Deċiżjoni 491/09/COL tikkonċerna tliet miżuri distinti:

Il-ħlas ta' għotjiet annwali

Bħala segwitu għall-ilment, l-Awtorità vverifikat li għotjiet mill-awtoritajiet Norveġiżi ilhom jingħataw lil Norsk FilmStudio AS/Filmparken AS mis-snin sebgħin. Il-baġits annwali għall-perjodu bejn l-1971-1972 jirreferu għal “skema ta' għajnuna eżistenti”. L-għotjiet tħallsu mill-Ministeru tal-Kultura u tal-Affarijiet tal-Knisja sal-2006. Għalhekk, l-għotjiet imsemmija fl-ilment jagħmlu parti minn dawk l-għotjiet annwali.

Il-ħlas ta' NOK 36 000 000 għat-titjib, l-immodernizzar u l-iżvilupp ta' faċilitajiet għall-produzzjoni

Bħala parti mill-investigazzjoni tagħha, l-Awtorità ġiet mgħarrfa bil-ħlas ta' għotja ta' NOK 36 000 000 għall-iskop speċifiku li ttejjeb l-infrastruttura tal-faċilitajiet għall-produzzjoni. Is-somma ġiet allokata matul perjodu ta' sentejn, fejn tħallsu NOK 10 000 000 fl-1998 u NOK 26 000 000 fl-1999. Din l-għotja tħallset minn baġit differenti minn dak tal-għotjiet annwali li tħallsu qabel. L-għotja ġiet allokata fit-taqsima nazzjonali tal-baġits għal għotjiet għal bini mill-baġit kulturali nazzjonali filwaqt li l-għotjiet annwali tħallsu mill-allokazzjoni tal-baġit għall-iffinanzjar tal-films.

L-Awtorità għandha dubji kemm dan il-kontribut jagħmel parti mis-sistema eżistenti tal-għajnuna jew kemm jikkostitwixxi miżura ġdida ta' għajnuna. Barra minn hekk, l-Awtorità għandha dubji fir-rigward tal-kumpatibbiltà ta' din il-miżura.

It-trattament preferenzjali tat-taxxa li bbenefikaw minnu xi wħud mill-kumpaniji li huma proprjetà ta' Norsk film Group

Xi wħud mill-kumpaniji li huma proprjetà ta' Norsk film group ibbenefikaw minn reġim tat-taxxa favorevoli fejn kienu eżentati milli jħallsu taxxa tal-kumpanija għal ċerti snin.

Norsk Film AS, Norsk FilmStudio u ScanCam AS ingħataw eżenzjoni fuq it-taxxa bbażata fuq il-fatt li l-iskop tal-kumpaniji ma kienx li jagħmlu profitt. Waqt li jkunu qegħdin jiddeċiedu jekk istituzzjoni hijiex għall-iskop ta' profitt, l-awtoritajiet iwettqu evalwazzjoni ġenerali fejn jiġu kkunsidrati diversi elementi: l-istatuti tal-istituzzjoni, kif ġiet iffinanazjata l-istituzzjoni, jekk isservix l-interessi pubbliċi jew dawk privati, eċċ. Sal-1995, Norsk Film AS u Norsk FilmStudio AS ma kinux applikaw għal reġim speċjali, iżda madanakollu bbenefikaw minn tali reġim mill-1995 sal-2001. Scan Cam AS ibbenefikaw mir-reġim favorevoli tat-taxxa mill-1998-2000.

L-Awtorità għandha dubji kemm ir-regoli tat-taxxa speċjali kif ġew applikati għal xi wħud mill-kumpaniji li huma proprjetà ta' Norsk Film Group jistgħu jkunu ġustifikati taħt id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-għajnuna mill-istat tal-Ftehim taż-ŻEE.

Konklużjoni

Fid-dawl tal-kunsiderazzjonijiet imsemmija, l-Awtorità ddeċidiet li tiftaħ proċedura ta' investigazzjoni formali skont l-Artikolu 1(2) tal-Ftehim taż-ŻEE. Il-partijiet interessati huma mistiedna li jressqu l-kummenti tagħhom fi żmien xahar mill-pubblikazzjoni ta' din id-Deċiżjoni f'Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 491/09/COL

of 2 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 alleged State aid granted to companies belonging to the Norsk Film group

(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), 6 and 16 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),

Having regard to the Authority’s Decision of 14 ta’ Lulju 2004 on the implementing provisions referred to under Article 27 of Part II of Protocol 3 (6),

Whereas:

I.   FACTS

1.   Procedure

By letter dated 23 ta’ Marzu 2006 (Event No 368163), nine Norwegian film companies (The Chimney Pot Oslo AS, Dagslys AS, Egg & Bacon AS, Grip Teknikk AS, Bob Aas Carho ENK, Kamerautleien AS, Lydhodene AS, Megaphon AS and Krypton Film AS) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Complainants”) complained that the Norwegian authorities have awarded grants to Norsk FilmStudio AS. The Complainants claim that Norsk FilmStudio AS/Filmparken AS has benefited from the payment of annual grants from the Norwegian State for the years 2000-2005.

By letter dated 9 ta’ Ġunju 2006 (Event No 377607), the Authority requested additional information from the Norwegian authorities. By letter dated 11 ta’ Awwissu 2006 (Event No 383774), the Norwegian authorities replied to the information request.

By letter dated 19 ta’ Ottubru 2006 (Event No 388927), the Authority requested further clarification. The Norwegian authorities provided the information by way of a letter dated 27 ta’ Novembru 2006 (Event No 400048).

By letter dated 13 ta’ Frar 2007 (Event No 409688), the complainant informed the Authority of the existence of a report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs in 2006 regarding the State’s continued ownership of Norsk FilmStudio AS and Filmparken AS.

By letter dated 20 ta’ Frar 2007 (Event No 410408), the Authority requested that the Norwegian authorities provide a copy of the report drawn by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. By letter dated 13 ta’ Marzu 2007 (Event No 413540), the Norwegian authorities provided the Authority with supplementary information.

A third request for information was sent by the Authority on 27 ta’ Marzu 2007 (Event No 412939). By letter dated 30 ta’ April 2007 (Event No 419437), the Norwegian authorities requested an extension of the deadline to answer until 19 ta’ Mejju 2007 which was accepted by the Authority by way of a letter dated 2 ta’ Mejju 2007 (Event No 419570).

A fourth request for information was sent to the Norwegian authorities on 16 ta’ Mejju 2007 (Event No 421730).

By letter dated 18 ta’ Mejju 2007 (Event No 422627), the Norwegian authorities provided the Authority with further information.

By letter dated 8 ta’ Ġunju 2007 (Event No 424512), the Norwegian authorities replied to the request for information which had been sent by the Authority on 16 ta’ Mejju 2007.

By e-mail dated 8 ta’ Ġunju 2009, the Authority was informed that The Chimney Pot Oslo AS had merged with Norsk Film AS and consequently had withdrawn from the complaint (7).

2.   The Norsk Film group

Norsk Film AS was established in 1932 by the association of municipal cinemas. The company’s film studio was opened in 1935. In the State budget for 1947, the Norwegian Government decided to take greater responsibility for film production. During the 1950s and 1960s, Norsk Film AS was faced with financial difficulties which lead to government interventions with grants to guarantee its further existence. After the company was declared bankrupt in the late 1960s, the government decided to assume full responsibility for the future of the company. Since 1974, the State has kept an ownership of 77,6 % of the shares in the company. Norsk Film AS served two purposes: to provide Norwegian feature film production with the necessary facilities and to produce Norwegian films.

ScanCam AS was founded in 1986 by Norsk Film AS and the newspaper VG (Verdens Gang) on the basis of the existing camera department of Norsk Film AS. On 31 ta’ Diċembru 1998, the owner of Verdens Gang sold its 50 % stake in ScanCam AS to Norsk Film AS. From 1999, ScanCam AS continued as a subsidiary of Norsk FilmStudio AS.

Norsk Film AS had a wholly-owned subsidiary, Norsk FilmStudio AS which was founded in 1989. Until 1989, the studio and technical facilities were an integral division of Norsk Film AS. Norsk FilmStudio AS was founded in order to establish a clear-cut distinction between the company’s role as a producer and its role of maintaining the infrastructure for film production (studio and technical facilities).

In 2001, the Norwegian Government reformed its film policy and a clearer distinction was made between the State’s areas of responsibility and the responsibility of the private sector. Private production companies should have the responsibility for producing films. It was therefore proposed to sell the shares in Norsk Film AS. The State would maintain its responsibility for the studios as this part of the production process was considered not sustainable in market conditions. In 2001, Norsk Film AS was demerged into two separate companies: a company for film production, named Norsk Film AS and a company for infrastructure, named Filmparken AS. The remaining assets of the company stayed in Filmparken AS. Norsk FilmStudio AS continued as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Filmparken AS. On 25 ta’ Ġunju 2001, Norsk FilmStudio AS merged into Filmparken AS. The State sold its shares in the production company Norsk Film AS to a private production company called Diopter AS on 4 ta’ Jannar 2002.

In 2002, Filmparken AS was renamed Norsk FilmStudio AS again.

In 2004, ScanCam AS merged into Norsk FilmStudio AS.

In 2005, Norsk FilmStudio AS was named Filmparken AS. Later that year, Norsk FilmStudio AS was founded as a subsidiary of Filmparken AS.

In 2009, Norsk FilmStudio AS and the Chimney Pot AS merged to become Storyline Studios AS. After the merger Filmparken AS owns 60 % of the business with 40 % left to the share holders of the prior The Chimney Pot AS.

Storyline Studios AS is a full spectre supplier of equipment and services to the film industry, providing film studios, grip and light, camera, post production, costumes, financing, office facilities, line production and film catalogues.

3.   Issues under assessment

As part of its investigation, the Authority identified two issues in addition to the one raised by the Complainants. It will in the following examine the three following issues: the payment of the yearly grants (3.1), the payment in 1998 and 1999 of a grant of NOK 36 000 000 for the upgrading, modernisation and development of the production facilities (3.2) and the preferential tax treatment of some of the companies belonging to the Norsk Film group (3.3).

3.1.   Payment of yearly grants

Following the complaint, the Authority has verified that grants have indeed been paid by the Norwegian authorities to Norsk FilmStudio AS/ Filmparken AS since the 1970s. Annual budgets for 1971–1972 refer to an “existing aid scheme”. The grants were paid by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs until 2006. Thus, the grants referred to in the complaint form part of those annual grants.

3.2.   Payment of the grant of NOK 36 000 000

As part of its investigation the Authority was made aware of the payment of a grant of NOK 36 000 000 for the specific purpose of upgrading the infrastructure of the production facilities. The sum was allocated over a two-year period, with NOK 10 000 000 being paid in 1998 and NOK 26 000 000 in 1999. Such grant was paid from a budget different from that of the annual grants paid before. The grant was allocated over the national budget’s section for grants to national cultural buildings whereas the yearly grants were paid out of the budget allocation to film funding.

3.3.   Preferential tax treatment

From 1995 to 2001, Norsk Film AS and its subsidiary Norsk FilmStudio AS were granted a corporate tax exemption. ScanCam AS was not exempted from tax in the years 1994–1997 but was given a tax exemption from 1998–2001.

The Authority questioned the Norwegian authorities regarding the preferential tax regime as it was concerned that such regime may entail State aid.

4.   Comments by the Norwegian authorities

The Norwegian authorities provided their comments by way of a letter dated 11 ta’ Awwissu 2006 (Event No 383774).

4.1.   Regarding the payment of NOK 36 000 000 for upgrading production facilities

The Norwegian authorities indicated that neither film production nor studio facilities are areas of business which, left to the market alone, are viable in Norway. Until 2001, Norsk Film AS received annual grants from the government. Such grants made it possible for the company to serve its task as both a production company and to maintain a national infrastructure considered necessary for the production of feature films.

Until 2001, Norsk Film AS was given grants as a share of the national budget allocation to film funding. The funds made available were used to produce the company’s own productions. After the reform of the Norwegian film policy in 2001 (see above, Section 2), the support to the production company lapsed whilst the support to ensure that the company could provide the necessary infrastructure for film production was maintained. The government reduced the support to a minimum, but until 2006, it was necessary to continue the grants in order to maintain the infrastructure. The Norwegian authorities argued that the NOK 36 000 000 support to infrastructure was therefore a part of the existing aid scheme.

In 2006, the annual grants were interrupted.

4.2.   Regarding the applicable favourable tax regime

The Norwegian authorities have explained that Norsk Film AS and Norsk FilmStudio AS benefited from a tax exemption as from 1995. The exemption was based on the former Taxation Act No 8 of 18.8.1911, paragraph 26.1(k) (replaced by Act 1999-03-26-14) (8).

Norsk Film AS, Norsk FilmStudio AS and ScanCam AS were granted a tax exemption based on the fact that the purpose of the companies was not to make profit.

When deciding if an institution has a non-profit purpose, the authorities make an overall evaluation taking into consideration several elements: the statutes of the institution, how the institution was funded, whether it served public or private interests, etc. Until 1995, Norsk Film AS and Norsk FilmStudio AS did not apply for the special regime. Following their applications they benefited from such a regime from 1995 until 2001.

In their evaluation, the tax authorities considered that the companies could benefit from the non-profit organisation status on the basis of the following elements: the statutes of Norsk Film AS which provide that its purpose is non-profit, the fact that 97,7 % of the shares were held by the State and local municipalities and that the company was funded essentially through state subsidies. The tax authorities furthermore indicated that the tax exemption was given under the proviso that a possible profit should be used in full to achieve the purpose of the company within the framework of being a non-profit undertaking. The subsidiary Norsk FilmStudio AS was regarded as an integrated part of Norsk Film AS’ activity and covered by the same tax exemption. The Norwegian authorities have indicated that Norsk FilmStudio AS did not generate a profit in the years 1995–2001 and that consequently, the application of the favourable tax regime was without effect.

Norsk Film AS and Norsk FilmStudio AS merged in 2001. As from 2002, the companies were no longer funded by government subsidies and they carried out normal business activities. They were therefore considered as normal profit-making companies and consequently subject to standard corporate tax.

Before 1998, Norsk FilmStudio AS and Schibsted Film AS each owned 50 % of the shares in ScanCam AS. ScanCam AS was therefore not considered an integrated part of Norsk Film AS’ business. From December 1998, ScanCam AS was 100 % owned by Norsk FilmStudio AS. After this change, the tax authorities considered that ScanCam AS was an integrated part of Norsk Film AS’ activity and could therefore benefit from the same tax regime for the years 1998–2000.

The companies are now all subject to standard corporate tax (9).

II.   ASSESSMENT

1.   The presence of State aid

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.   Presence of State resources

Presence of State resources

The aid measure must be granted by the State or through State resources.

The grants made until 2006 were paid by the Norwegian State. The yearly grants were paid by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and the NOK 36 000 000 grant was paid from the State budget’s section for grants to national cultural buildings. The Authority therefore considers that the condition that State resources must be involved is met.

Norsk Film AS and its subsidiary Norsk FilmStudio AS were granted a tax exemption for the years 1995 to 2001. In a letter dated 18 ta’ Marzu 1996, the Bærum Tax Office granted the tax exemption for the fiscal year 1995 on the proviso that a possible profit should be used in full to achieve the purpose of the company within the framework of being a non-profit company. ScanCam AS (the subsidiary renting cameras) was given a tax exemption from 1998–2001 on the same grounds.

As a result of the favourable tax regime, the State renounces tax revenue which it would normally have received from the undertakings concerned. The absence of these funds represents a burden on state resources from charges that are normally borne from the budgets of the undertakings concerned (10).

10

A loss of tax revenue is equivalent to the consumption of State resources in the form of fiscal expenditure.

1.2.   Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

Firstly, the measure must have conferred on Norsk FilmStudio AS/Filmparken AS/ScanCam AS advantages that relieved them of charges that are normally borne from their budget. The grant and the preferential tax regime gave the beneficiaries a financial benefit they would not have enjoyed in the normal course of business. It thus strengthened the financial position of Norsk FilmStudio AS/Filmparken AS/ScanCam AS compared with the other undertakings active in the production of films within the EEA.

Secondly, the aid measure must be selective in that it favours “certain undertakings or the production of certain goods”.

The Authority considers that the payment of the yearly grants and of the amount of NOK 36 000 000 for the upgrading of the studio facilities is selective as the beneficiary is expressly designated.

Regarding the preferential tax treatment some of the companies belonging to the Norsk Film group have benefited from, the Authority recognises that the European Court of Justice and the EFTA Court have consistently held that measures granting advantages to certain recipients are not selective if they can be justified by the nature and general scheme of the system of which they are part (11). Indeed, the Authority’s Guidelines on the application of State aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation provide specifically that “obviously, profit cannot be levied if no profit is earned. It may thus be justified by the nature of the tax system that non-profit-making undertakings, for example foundations or associations, are specifically exempt from the taxes on profits if they cannot actually earn any profits” (12) (emphasis added). For a selective measure to be justified by the logic of a system there has to be a general system to which it relates. According to the information available to the Authority, it is not clear whether the non-taxation of the revenues of companies belonging to the Norsk Film group are justified by the nature and general scheme of the corporate tax system which object is precisely taxation of income.

11

12

The Authority is in doubt regarding the justification based on the fact that the purpose of the company was to not make profit. Indeed, it appears that, even though the primary object of the companies belonging to the Norsk Film group benefiting from the favourable regime was of a cultural nature, some of the companies did generate a profit and were carrying out an economic activity in competition with other economic operators.

Furthermore, the Authority is also in doubt as to whether, regarding the application of an existing system of aid, the fact that companies may decide whether to apply for such a preferential regime has a bearing on the classification as new or existing aid. Even though the law allowing for such a preferential tax treatment pre-dates the entry into force of the EEA Agreement, the actual decision to apply the preferential regime was made after, following the company’s application in 1995.

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

Distortion of competition and effect on trade between Contracting Parties

State aid to specific undertakings is regarded as distorting competition and affecting trade between the Contracting Parties if the recipient firm carries on an economic activity involving trade between the Contracting Parties. Cinema films may be produced in alternative locations within the EEA. They are subsequently traded between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement. Support to an undertaking producing feature films and providing studio services may therefore alter the competition existing between different locations for the realisation of films. Therefore the measure under scrutiny may be considered as distorting competition and affecting trade between the Contracting Parties.

1.4.   Conclusion on the presence of State aid

Conclusion on the presence of State aid

The Authority consequently considers that the measures under scrutiny may involve 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 Authority notes that none of the measures referred to above in Part I, Section 3 of this decision were notified by the Norwegian authorities.

The Authority, however, considers that the yearly payments made by the Norwegian State since the 1970s to Norsk FilmStudio AS/Filmparken AS for the production of feature films and to maintain an infrastructure necessary for the production of films were based on an existing system of aid. The Authority considers that in this case, where regular payments were consistently made over a very long period of time, the practice shows that State support was an essential element in the financing of the company. The Authority considers on that basis that the annual grants were made under an existing system of State aid within the meaning of Article 62 EEA. The Authority furthermore considers that none of the changes that have taken place over the years are such as to change the classification from existing aid into new aid. The Norwegian authorities have confirmed that they have put an end to such payments in 2006. The Authority takes note of the termination of these yearly payments made by the Norwegian State until 2006 and will not investigate this issue further.

Neither measures referred to above in Part I, Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 of this decision were notified by the Norwegian authorities. The Authority has doubts with regard to their classification as existing aid. In the event the measures constitute new aid, the Authority would conclude that the Norwegian authorities have not respected their respective obligations pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.

3.   Compatibility of the aid

Compatibility of the aid

Consequently, the Authority will review the compatibility of the ad hoc grant of NOK 36 000 000 (3.1) and of the preferential tax regime some companies belonging to the Norsk Film group have benefited from (3.2).

3.1.   Payment of the grant of NOK 36 000 000

Payment of the grant of NOK 36 000 000

The Norwegian authorities have indicated that in 1997, the Norwegian Parliament decided to grant NOK 36 000 000 to Norsk Film AS for the upgrading, modernisation and development of the production facilities called “Filmparken”. The grant was allocated over the national budget’s section for grants to national cultural buildings. The sum was allocated over a two-year period, NOK 10 000 000 being paid in 1998 and the remaining NOK 26 000 000 in 1999. The grant partly covered the modernisation and upgrading of the studio facilities and partly the development of new administration facilities.

The Norwegian authorities have argued that the payment of such aid did not constitute a separate aid but was part of a general aid scheme. Thus, payments that were made since the 1970s always included an investment part and an operating part. The only difference was that in 1998 and 1999 the portion of the grant allocated to investment aid was actually clearly identified.

The Authority has taken note that as the payment of the grant of NOK 36 000 000 was based on a different budget allocation and the specific amount was singled out for a specific aim (renovation of the jar site), this may amount to new aid. For this reason, it has doubts as to whether this contribution formed part of the existing system of aid or whether it constituted a new aid measure.

The Authority has moreover doubts regarding the compatibility of such measure and invites the Norwegian authorities to provide additional information regarding this aspect.

3.2.   Preferential tax treatment

Preferential tax treatment

Companies belonging to the Norsk Film group benefited from the favourable tax regime whereby they were exempted from paying corporate tax for certain years. The Authority is in doubt whether the application of the exemption from corporate tax based on the logic of exemption for non-profit organisations may justify the tax exemption in the case of the companies belonging to the Norsk Film Group.

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 appear to apply to the case at hand.

The aid in question reduces the costs the companies would normally have to bear in the course of pursuing their day-to-day business activities and is consequently to be classified as operating aid. Operating aid is normally not considered suitable to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain regions as provided for in Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. Operating aid is only allowed under special circumstances, and, in particular, in situations where the criteria provided for in the Authority’s Guidelines are met (e.g. for certain types of environmental or regional aid). However, none of these Guidelines seem to apply to the aid in question.

The Authority therefore doubts that the special tax rules as applied to some of the companies belonging to the Norsk film group 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 cannot exclude the possibility that the aid measures referred to above in Part II, Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of this decision constitute aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. Furthermore, the Authority has doubts that these measures can be regarded as complying with Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. The Authority thus doubts that the above measures are compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.

Consequently, and 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 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.

Moreover, the Authority requests the Norwegian authorities, within one month of receipt of this decision, to provide all documents, information and data needed for the assessment of the compatibility of the two measures examined here above.

The Norwegian authorities are invited 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 principal of law,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Artikolu 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 (i) the payment of an ad hoc aid of NOK 36 000 000 to Norsk Film AS for the upgrading of infrastructure and (ii) the application of the preferential tax treatment to Norsk Film AS, Norsk FilmStudio AS and ScanCam AS.

Artikolu 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.

Artikolu 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.

Artikolu 4

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Norway.

Artikolu 5

Only the English version is authentic.

Done at Brussels, 2 ta’ Diċembru 2009.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Per SANDERUD

President

Kristján Andri STEFÁNSSON

College Member

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(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 ta’ Jannar 1994, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as “OJ”) OJ L 231, 3.9.1994, p. 1, and EEA Supplement No 32, 3.9.1994, p. 1). 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)  Decision No 195/04/COL of 14 ta’ Lulju 2004 published in OJ C 139, 25.5.2006, p. 57, and EEA Supplement No 26, 25.5.2006 p. 1 as amended by Decision No 319/05/COL of 14 ta’ Diċembru 2005 published in OJ C 286, 23.11.2006, p. 9, and EEA Supplement No 57, 23.11.2006, p. 31.

6

(7)  The Chimney Pot Oslo AS and Norsk FilmStudio AS have merged to become Storyline Studios AS.

7

(8)  This regime provides exemption from corporate tax for so-called “ideal organisations”.

8

(9)  Norsk FilmStudio AS and Norsk Film AS merged in 2001, Norsk Film AS is now called Filmparken AS. Norsk FilmStudio AS was founded in 2005 as a subsidiary of Filmparken AS. Filmparken AS and Norsk FilmStudio AS are now subject to normal corporate taxation rules.

9

(10)  Case C-156/98 Germany v Commission, [2000] ECR I-6857, paragraph 26.

10

(11)  Case C-143/99 Adria-Wien pipeline GmbH and Wietersdorfer & Peggauer Zementwerke GmbH [2001] ECR I 8365, paragraph 42 and the judgment of the EFTA Court in the joined Cases E-5/04, E-6/04 and E-7/04 Fesil and Finnfjord and others v EFTA Surveillance Authority, [2005] EFTA Court Report, page 117, paragraph 77.

11

(12)  Chapter of the Authority’s State Aid Guidelines on the application of State aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation, Section 3.4, para. 3.

12

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| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/13

---

Ma tikkostitwixxix għajnuna mill-istat skont it-tifsira tal-Artikolu 61 tal-Ftehim taż-ŻEE

2010/C 174/05

L-Awtorità tas-Sorveljanza tal-EFTA ma tqajjem l-ebda oġġezzjoni għall-miżura li ġejja dwar l-għajnuna mill-Istat:

| Data tal-adozzjoni tad-deċiżjoni | : | 16 ta’ Diċembru 2009 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Numru tal-każ | : | 66126 |
| Stat tal-EFTA | : | In-Norveġja |
| Titlu | : | Il-Fond Norveġiż għall-Enerġija |
| Bażi ġuridika | : | Il-Proposta Parlamentari Nru 1 (2007-2008) u l-Proposta Parlamentari Nru 37 (2008-2009) |
| Objettiv | : | Żieda fil-provvista ta' sħana u enerġija li jiġġeddu. Kontribut għall-iffrankar tal-enerġija |
| Forma ta' għajnuna | : | Sussidji |
| Baġit | : | Madwar NOK 2 516 miljun |
| Tul ta' żmien | : | Sa tmiem l-2010 |
| Setturi ekonomiċi | : | Enerġija, elettriku |
| Isem u indirizz tal-awtorità li tagħti l-għajnuna | : | Enova SF |
| Professor Brochsgt. 2 |
| 7030 Trondheim |
| NORWAY |

Data tal-adozzjoni tad-deċiżjoni

:

16 ta’ Diċembru 2009

Numru tal-każ

:

66126

Stat tal-EFTA

:

In-Norveġja

Titlu

:

Il-Fond Norveġiż għall-Enerġija

Bażi ġuridika

:

Il-Proposta Parlamentari Nru 1 (2007-2008) u l-Proposta Parlamentari Nru 37 (2008-2009)

Objettiv

:

Żieda fil-provvista ta' sħana u enerġija li jiġġeddu. Kontribut għall-iffrankar tal-enerġija

Forma ta' għajnuna

:

Sussidji

Baġit

:

Madwar NOK 2 516 miljun

Tul ta' żmien

:

Sa tmiem l-2010

Setturi ekonomiċi

:

Enerġija, elettriku

Isem u indirizz tal-awtorità li tagħti l-għajnuna

:

Enova SF

Professor Brochsgt. 2

7030 Trondheim

NORWAY

It-test awtentiku tad-deċiżjoni, li minnu tneħħiet kull informazzjoni kunfidenzjali, huwa disponibbli fuq il-websajt tal-Awtorità tas-Sorveljanza tal-EFTA:

http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/

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| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/14 |
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1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/14

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L-Avviż tal-Awtorità tas-Sorveljanza tal-EFTA dwar ir-rati tal-interessi ta' rkupru tal-għajnuna mill-Istat u r-rati ta' referenza/skont attwali għal tliet Stati tal-EFTA li japplikaw mill-1 ta' Jannar 2010

(Ippubblikat b'konformità mal-Artikolu 10 tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità Nru 195/04/COL tal-14 ta' Lulju 2004 (ĠU L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 u fis-Suppliment taż-ŻEE Nru 26/2006, 25.5.2006, p. 1.))

2010/C 174/06

Ir-rati bażi huma kkalkulati b'konformità mal-Kapitolu dwar il-metodu għall-istabbiliment tar-rati ta' referenza u ta' skont tal-Linji Gwida tal-Awtorità dwar l-għajnuna mill-Istat kif emendati mid-Deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità Nru 788/08/COL tas-17 ta' Diċembru 2008. Biex tinkiseb ir-rata ta' referenza applikabbli, għandhom jiżdiedu marġni xierqa b'konformità mal-Linji Gwida dwar l-għajnuna mill-Istat. Fir-rigward tar-rata ta' skont, dan ifisser li marġni adattat ta' 100 punt bażi għandu jiżdied mar-rata bażi. Normalment, ir-rata ta' rkupru tiġi kkalkulata wkoll billi jiżdiedu 100 punt bażi mar-rata bażi kif previst fid-Deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità Nru 789/08/COL tas-17 ta' Diċembru 2008 li temenda d-Deċiżjoni tal-Awtorità Nru 195/04/COL tal-14 ta' Lulju 2004 (ippubblikata fil-ĠU L 139 tal-25.5.2006, p. 37 u fis-Suppliment taż-ŻEE Nru 26/2006, 25.5.2006, p. 1).

| | L-Iżlanda | Il-Liechtenstein | In-Norveġja |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1.1.2010- | 6,79 | 0,69 | 3,04 |

L-Iżlanda

Il-Liechtenstein

In-Norveġja

1.1.2010-

6,79

0,69

3,04

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V Avviżi

PROĊEDURI DWAR L-IMPLIMENTAZZJONI TAL-POLITIKA TAL-KOMPETIZZJONI

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/15 |
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1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/15

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Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni

(Każ COMP/M.5848 – Delta/Eneco/PVNED)

Każ li jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għal proċedura simplifikata

(Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE)

2010/C 174/07

| 1. | Fil-25 ta’ Ġunju 2010, il-Kummissjoni rċeviet notifika ta' konċentrazzjoni proposta skont l-Artikolu 4 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 139/2004 (1) li biha l-impriżi DELTA Energy B.V. (“DE”, l-Olanda) li hija proprjetà tal-grupp DELTA N.V. (“DELTA”, l-Olanda) u Eneco Energy Trade B.V. (“EET”, l-Olanda) li hija proprjetà tal-grupp Eneco Holding N.V. (“Eneco”, l-Olanda) akkwistaw fi ħdan it-tifsira tal-Artikolu 3(1)(b) tar-Regolament dwar l-Għaqdiet il-kontroll konġunt ta’ PVNED B.V. (“PVNED”, l-Olanda) billi rristrutturaw mill-ġdid lil PVNED b’tali mod li ser issir impriża konġunta funzjonali bis-sħiħ. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Fil-25 ta’ Ġunju 2010, il-Kummissjoni rċeviet notifika ta' konċentrazzjoni proposta skont l-Artikolu 4 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 139/2004 (1) li biha l-impriżi DELTA Energy B.V. (“DE”, l-Olanda) li hija proprjetà tal-grupp DELTA N.V. (“DELTA”, l-Olanda) u Eneco Energy Trade B.V. (“EET”, l-Olanda) li hija proprjetà tal-grupp Eneco Holding N.V. (“Eneco”, l-Olanda) akkwistaw fi ħdan it-tifsira tal-Artikolu 3(1)(b) tar-Regolament dwar l-Għaqdiet il-kontroll konġunt ta’ PVNED B.V. (“PVNED”, l-Olanda) billi rristrutturaw mill-ġdid lil PVNED b’tali mod li ser issir impriża konġunta funzjonali bis-sħiħ.

| 2. | L-attivitajiet kummerċjali tal-impriżi kkonċernati huma:






  — | DE/DELTA: il-forniment ta’ servizzi multi-utilitari, inter alia, fis-setturi tal-elettriku u tal-gass naturali, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

L-attivitajiet kummerċjali tal-impriżi kkonċernati huma:

—

DE/DELTA: il-forniment ta’ servizzi multi-utilitari, inter alia, fis-setturi tal-elettriku u tal-gass naturali,

| — | EET/Eneco: il-forniment ta’ servizzi multi-utilitari, inter alia, fis-setturi tal-elettriku u tal-gass naturali, |
| --- | --- |

—

EET/Eneco: il-forniment ta’ servizzi multi-utilitari, inter alia, fis-setturi tal-elettriku u tal-gass naturali,

| — | PVNED: il-forniment ta’ programmi għall-bilanċ tal-elettriku fl-Olanda u l-Belġju. |
| --- | --- |

—

PVNED: il-forniment ta’ programmi għall-bilanċ tal-elettriku fl-Olanda u l-Belġju.

| 3. | Wara eżami preliminari, il-Kummissjoni ssib li l-operazzjoni nnotifikata tista' taqa' fl-ambitu tar-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet. Madankollu, id-deċiżjoni finali dwar dan il-punt hija riżervata. Skont l-Avviż tal-Kummissjoni dwar proċedura simplifikata għat-trattament ta' ċerti konċentrazzjonijiet taħt ir-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet (2) ta' min jinnota li dan il-każ jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għat-trattament taħt il-proċedura stipulata fl-Avviż. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Wara eżami preliminari, il-Kummissjoni ssib li l-operazzjoni nnotifikata tista' taqa' fl-ambitu tar-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet. Madankollu, id-deċiżjoni finali dwar dan il-punt hija riżervata. Skont l-Avviż tal-Kummissjoni dwar proċedura simplifikata għat-trattament ta' ċerti konċentrazzjonijiet taħt ir-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet (2) ta' min jinnota li dan il-każ jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għat-trattament taħt il-proċedura stipulata fl-Avviż.

| 4. | Il-Kummissjoni tistieden lill-partijiet terzi interessati biex iressqu kwalunkwe kummenti li jistgħu jkollhom dwar it-tranżizzjoni proposta.
  Il-kummenti jridu jaslu għand il-Kummissjoni mhux aktar tard minn għaxart ijiem wara d-data ta' din il-pubblikazzjoni. Il-kummenti jistgħu jintbagħtu lill-Kummissjoni bil-feks (+32 22964301), jew b'emejl lil COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu jew bil-posta, taħt in-numru ta' referenza COMP/M.5848 – Delta/Eneco/PVNED, fl-indirizz li ġej:





  Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| --- | --- |
| Direttorat Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni |
| Reġistru tal-Amalgamazzjonijiet |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

Il-Kummissjoni tistieden lill-partijiet terzi interessati biex iressqu kwalunkwe kummenti li jistgħu jkollhom dwar it-tranżizzjoni proposta.

Il-kummenti jridu jaslu għand il-Kummissjoni mhux aktar tard minn għaxart ijiem wara d-data ta' din il-pubblikazzjoni. Il-kummenti jistgħu jintbagħtu lill-Kummissjoni bil-feks (+32 22964301), jew b'emejl lil COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu jew bil-posta, taħt in-numru ta' referenza COMP/M.5848 – Delta/Eneco/PVNED, fl-indirizz li ġej:

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

Direttorat Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni

Reġistru tal-Amalgamazzjonijiet

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  ĠU L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (ir-“Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet”).

(2)  ĠU C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (“Avviż ta’ proċedura simplifikata”).

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| 1.7.2010 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 174/16 |
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1.7.2010

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 174/16

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Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni

(Każ COMP/M.5830 – Olympic/Aegean Airlines)

(Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE)

2010/C 174/08

| 1. | Fl-24 ta’ Ġunju 2010, il-Kummissjoni rċeviet notifika ta' konċentrazzjoni proposta skont l-Artikolu 4 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 139/2004 (1) li permezz tagħha Vassilakis Group of companies (“Vassilakis”, il-Greċja), Marfin Investment Group (“Marfin”, il-Greċja) u Laskaridis Group of companies (“Laskaridis”, il-Greċja), fl-ambitu tat-tifsira tal-Artikolu 3(1)(b) tar-Regolament tal-Għaqdiet, jakkwistaw il-kontroll konġunt ta' kumpanija li għadha kif ingħaqdet, inkluż l-impriżi tal-kumpaniji Griegi li qabel kienu indipendenti Aegean Airlines S.A. (“Aegean Airlines”, il-Greċja), Olympic Air S.A. (“Olympic Air”, il-Greċja), Olympic Handling S.A. (“Olympic Handling”, il-Greċja) u Olympic Engineering S.A. (“Olympic Engineering”, il-Greċja) (kollettivament “Olympic”, il-Greċja), permezz tax-xiri ta' ishma. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Fl-24 ta’ Ġunju 2010, il-Kummissjoni rċeviet notifika ta' konċentrazzjoni proposta skont l-Artikolu 4 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 139/2004 (1) li permezz tagħha Vassilakis Group of companies (“Vassilakis”, il-Greċja), Marfin Investment Group (“Marfin”, il-Greċja) u Laskaridis Group of companies (“Laskaridis”, il-Greċja), fl-ambitu tat-tifsira tal-Artikolu 3(1)(b) tar-Regolament tal-Għaqdiet, jakkwistaw il-kontroll konġunt ta' kumpanija li għadha kif ingħaqdet, inkluż l-impriżi tal-kumpaniji Griegi li qabel kienu indipendenti Aegean Airlines S.A. (“Aegean Airlines”, il-Greċja), Olympic Air S.A. (“Olympic Air”, il-Greċja), Olympic Handling S.A. (“Olympic Handling”, il-Greċja) u Olympic Engineering S.A. (“Olympic Engineering”, il-Greċja) (kollettivament “Olympic”, il-Greċja), permezz tax-xiri ta' ishma.

| 2. | L-attivitajiet kummerċjali tal-impriżi kkonċernati huma:






  — | għal Vassilakis: investimenti f'kiri ta' karozzi, importazzjoni ta' karozzi u distribuzzjoni ta' karozzi, servizzi fuq l-art u avjazzjoni (permezz ta' Aegean Airlines), |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

L-attivitajiet kummerċjali tal-impriżi kkonċernati huma:

—

għal Vassilakis: investimenti f'kiri ta' karozzi, importazzjoni ta' karozzi u distribuzzjoni ta' karozzi, servizzi fuq l-art u avjazzjoni (permezz ta' Aegean Airlines),

| — | għal Marfin: investimenti fl-ikel u x-xorb, trasport bil-baħar (notevolment permezz ta' Attica Group, li tippossedi Superfast Ferries u Blue Star Ferries), trasport bl-ajru (permezz ta' Olympic Air), servizzi fuq l-art (permezz ta' Olympic Handling), manutenzjoni, tiswija u servizzi ta' eżaminazzjoni bir-reqqa qabel it-tiswija (permezz ta' Olympic Engineering), kura tas-saħħa, propjetà, IT u telekomunikazzjoni, turiżmu u divertiment, u servizzi finanzjarji, |
| --- | --- |

—

għal Marfin: investimenti fl-ikel u x-xorb, trasport bil-baħar (notevolment permezz ta' Attica Group, li tippossedi Superfast Ferries u Blue Star Ferries), trasport bl-ajru (permezz ta' Olympic Air), servizzi fuq l-art (permezz ta' Olympic Handling), manutenzjoni, tiswija u servizzi ta' eżaminazzjoni bir-reqqa qabel it-tiswija (permezz ta' Olympic Engineering), kura tas-saħħa, propjetà, IT u telekomunikazzjoni, turiżmu u divertiment, u servizzi finanzjarji,

| — | għal Laskaridis: investimenti fl-avjazzjoni (permezz ta' Aegean Airlines), servizzi fuq l-art, trasport bil-baħar u tarzni, setturi tat-turiżmu u propjetà, |
| --- | --- |

—

għal Laskaridis: investimenti fl-avjazzjoni (permezz ta' Aegean Airlines), servizzi fuq l-art, trasport bil-baħar u tarzni, setturi tat-turiżmu u propjetà,

| — | għal Aegean Airlines: provvista ta' trasport bl-ajru ta' passiġġieri u merkanzija, |
| --- | --- |

—

għal Aegean Airlines: provvista ta' trasport bl-ajru ta' passiġġieri u merkanzija,

| — | għal Olympic: trasport bl-ajru ta' passiġġieri u merkanzija, servizzi fuq l-art u provvista ta' manutenzjoni, tiswija u servizzi ta' eżaminazzjoni bir-reqqa qabel it-tiswija. |
| --- | --- |

—

għal Olympic: trasport bl-ajru ta' passiġġieri u merkanzija, servizzi fuq l-art u provvista ta' manutenzjoni, tiswija u servizzi ta' eżaminazzjoni bir-reqqa qabel it-tiswija.

| 3. | Wara eżami preliminari, il-Kummissjoni ssib li l-operazzjoni nnotifikata tista' taqa' fl-ambitu tar-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet. Madanakollu, id-deċiżjoni finali dwar dan il-punt hija riżervata. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Wara eżami preliminari, il-Kummissjoni ssib li l-operazzjoni nnotifikata tista' taqa' fl-ambitu tar-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet. Madanakollu, id-deċiżjoni finali dwar dan il-punt hija riżervata.

| 4. | Il-Kummissjoni tistieden lill-partijiet terzi interessati biex jibagħtu kwalunkwe kumment li jista’ jkollhom dwar l-operazzjoni proposta lill-Kummissjoni.
  Il-kummenti jridu jaslu għand il-Kummissjoni mhux aktar tard minn għaxart ijiem wara d-data ta’ din il-pubblikazzjoni. Il-kummenti jistgħu jintbagħtu lill-Kummissjoni bil-feks (+32 22964301), jew b'emejl lil COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu jew bil-posta, taħt in-numru ta' referenza COMP/M.5830 – Olympic/Aegean Airlines, fl-indirizz li ġej:





  Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| --- | --- |
| Direttorat Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni |
| Reġistru tal-Amalgamazzjonijiet |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

Il-Kummissjoni tistieden lill-partijiet terzi interessati biex jibagħtu kwalunkwe kumment li jista’ jkollhom dwar l-operazzjoni proposta lill-Kummissjoni.

Il-kummenti jridu jaslu għand il-Kummissjoni mhux aktar tard minn għaxart ijiem wara d-data ta’ din il-pubblikazzjoni. Il-kummenti jistgħu jintbagħtu lill-Kummissjoni bil-feks (+32 22964301), jew b'emejl lil COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu jew bil-posta, taħt in-numru ta' referenza COMP/M.5830 – Olympic/Aegean Airlines, fl-indirizz li ġej:

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

Direttorat Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni

Reġistru tal-Amalgamazzjonijiet

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  ĠU L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (ir-“Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet”).

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