# Official Journal C 73/2016

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 73 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5925 February 2016 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 73

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5925 February 2016

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 073/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7934 — Blackstone/Norske Skog) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2016/C 073/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7934 — Blackstone/Norske Skog) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 073/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2016/C 073/03 | Decision No 943 of 1 December 2015 opening a procedure for granting authorisation for the prospection and exploration of oil and natural gas, being underground natural resources as defined in Article 2(1)(3) of the of the Underground Natural Resources Act, in Block 1-24 Kitka, located in Varna province, and announcing that authorisation will be granted on the basis of a competitive bidding procedure | 3 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2016/C 073/04 | State aid — Decision to raise no objections | 8 |
| 2016/C 073/05 | State aid — Decision to raise no objections | 9 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2016/C 073/02

Euro exchange rates

2

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2016/C 073/03

Decision No 943 of 1 December 2015 opening a procedure for granting authorisation for the prospection and exploration of oil and natural gas, being underground natural resources as defined in Article 2(1)(3) of the of the Underground Natural Resources Act, in Block 1-24 Kitka, located in Varna province, and announcing that authorisation will be granted on the basis of a competitive bidding procedure

3

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2016/C 073/04

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

8

2016/C 073/05

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

9

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | COURT PROCEEDINGS |
| | EFTA Court |
| 2016/C 073/06 | Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Norges Høyesterett dated 5 June 2015 in the case of Holship Norge AS v Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund (Case E-14/15) | 10 |

V   Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

2016/C 073/06

Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Norges Høyesterett dated 5 June 2015 in the case of Holship Norge AS v Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund (Case E-14/15)

10

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 25.2.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 73/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.2.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 73/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.7934 — Blackstone/Norske Skog)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 73/01)

On 19 February 2016, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English language and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32016M7934. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32016M7934. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

---

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

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 25.2.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 73/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.2.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 73/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

24 February 2016

(2016/C 73/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0981 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 122,86 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4621 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,78935 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,3636 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0914 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,5858 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,047 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 310,55 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,3680 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4775 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 3,2336 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5319 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5197 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,5333 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6620 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5478 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 359,58 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 17,0655 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,1794 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,6260 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 766,34 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6603 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 52,346 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 84,6894 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,213 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,3793 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,0815 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 75,2885 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0981

JPY

Japanese yen

122,86

DKK

Danish krone

7,4621

GBP

Pound sterling

0,78935

SEK

Swedish krona

9,3636

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0914

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,5858

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,047

HUF

Hungarian forint

310,55

PLN

Polish zloty

4,3680

RON

Romanian leu

4,4775

TRY

Turkish lira

3,2336

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5319

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5197

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,5333

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6620

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5478

KRW

South Korean won

1 359,58

ZAR

South African rand

17,0655

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,1794

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,6260

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 766,34

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6603

PHP

Philippine peso

52,346

RUB

Russian rouble

84,6894

THB

Thai baht

39,213

BRL

Brazilian real

4,3793

MXN

Mexican peso

20,0815

INR

Indian rupee

75,2885

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 25.2.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 73/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.2.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 73/3

---

DECISION No 943

of 1 December 2015

opening a procedure for granting authorisation for the prospection and exploration of oil and natural gas, being underground natural resources as defined in Article 2(1)(3) of the of the Underground Natural Resources Act, in ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’, located in Varna province, and announcing that authorisation will be granted on the basis of a competitive bidding procedure

(2016/C 73/03)

REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Pursuant to Article 5(2), Articles 7(2)(8) and 42(1)(1) and Article 44(3) of the Underground Natural Resources Act, and Article 4(1)(1) and Article 16 of the Regulation on the conduct of bidding and tendering procedures for granting authorisation for the prospection and/or exploration of, and awarding concessions for the production of, underground natural resources as defined by the Underground Natural Resources Act, adopted by Council of Ministers Resolution No 231 of 2010,

THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

| 1. | A procedure shall be opened for granting authorisation for the prospection and exploration of oil and natural gas in ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’, located in the province of Varna, having an area of 704 km2 and defined by coordinates 1 to 27, as specified in the Annex. |
| --- | --- |

1.

A procedure shall be opened for granting authorisation for the prospection and exploration of oil and natural gas in ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’, located in the province of Varna, having an area of 704 km2 and defined by coordinates 1 to 27, as specified in the Annex.

| 2. | The authorisation referred to in point 1 shall be granted on the basis of a competitive bidding procedure under which bidders are not present when the bids are considered. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The authorisation referred to in point 1 shall be granted on the basis of a competitive bidding procedure under which bidders are not present when the bids are considered.

| 3. | The authorisation period for prospection and exploration shall be set at five years from the date on which the prospection and exploration agreement enters into force, with a right to extend this period pursuant to Article 31(3) of the Underground Natural Resources Act. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The authorisation period for prospection and exploration shall be set at five years from the date on which the prospection and exploration agreement enters into force, with a right to extend this period pursuant to Article 31(3) of the Underground Natural Resources Act.

| 4. | The deadline for purchasing the bidding dossier shall be 17:30 on the 120th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

4.

The deadline for purchasing the bidding dossier shall be 17:30 on the 120th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.

| 5. | The deadline for submitting applications to take part in the competitive bidding procedure shall be 17:30 on the 140th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

5.

The deadline for submitting applications to take part in the competitive bidding procedure shall be 17:30 on the 140th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.

| 6. | The deadline for submitting bids in accordance with the bidding dossier shall be 17:30 on the 155th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

6.

The deadline for submitting bids in accordance with the bidding dossier shall be 17:30 on the 155th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.

| 7. | The price of the bidding dossier shall be set at BGN 10 000. The bidding dossier is to be obtained from the Ministry of Energy at 8 Triaditsa Street, Sofia, by the deadline specified in point 4, upon presentation of a payment order. |
| --- | --- |

7.

The price of the bidding dossier shall be set at BGN 10 000. The bidding dossier is to be obtained from the Ministry of Energy at 8 Triaditsa Street, Sofia, by the deadline specified in point 4, upon presentation of a payment order.

| 7.1. | The amount specified in point 7 shall be paid into the bank account of the Ministry of Energy: | BIC of the BNB for payments in Bulgarian currency (BGN) — BNBGBGSD, |
| --- | --- | --- |

7.1.

The amount specified in point 7 shall be paid into the bank account of the Ministry of Energy:

BIC of the BNB for payments in Bulgarian currency (BGN) — BNBGBGSD,

| | SWIFT code of the BNB for payments in foreign currency — BNBGBGSF, |
| --- | --- |

SWIFT code of the BNB for payments in foreign currency — BNBGBGSF,

| | IBAN — ВG94 BNBG 9661 3000 1421 01, |
| --- | --- |

IBAN — ВG94 BNBG 9661 3000 1421 01,

| | BNB (Bulgarian National Bank) headquarters. |
| --- | --- |

BNB (Bulgarian National Bank) headquarters.

| 7.2. | The following should be recorded on the payment order: For the competitive procedure dossier for area ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’, purchased on behalf of the applicant whose name is written compulsorily on the payment order. |
| --- | --- |

7.2.

The following should be recorded on the payment order: For the competitive procedure dossier for area ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’, purchased on behalf of the applicant whose name is written compulsorily on the payment order.

| 7.3. | The person receiving the bidding dossier shall sign a declaration on behalf of the applicant, undertaking to protect the confidentiality of the information contained therein. |
| --- | --- |

7.3.

The person receiving the bidding dossier shall sign a declaration on behalf of the applicant, undertaking to protect the confidentiality of the information contained therein.

| 8. | Applicants wishing to participate in the bidding procedure must fulfil the requirements specified in Article 23(1) of the Underground Natural Resources Act. |
| --- | --- |

8.

Applicants wishing to participate in the bidding procedure must fulfil the requirements specified in Article 23(1) of the Underground Natural Resources Act.

| 9. | The applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, each of its members, must provide a declaration confirming the absence of the circumstances under Article 2 of the Act on economic and financial relationships with companies registered in preferential tax regime jurisdictions, entities/persons related to them and their beneficial owners (ZIFODRYUPDRSTLTDS) (SG No 1 of 2014) in conjunction with § 1 of the Additional provisions, or evidence of the existence of circumstances under Article 4 of ZIFODRYUPDRSTLTDS. |
| --- | --- |

9.

The applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, each of its members, must provide a declaration confirming the absence of the circumstances under Article 2 of the Act on economic and financial relationships with companies registered in preferential tax regime jurisdictions, entities/persons related to them and their beneficial owners (ZIFODRYUPDRSTLTDS) (SG No 1 of 2014) in conjunction with § 1 of the Additional provisions, or evidence of the existence of circumstances under Article 4 of ZIFODRYUPDRSTLTDS.

| 10. | The applicant enterprise or grouping must possess at least the minimum managerial capabilities required for carrying out prospection and exploration activities, and cumulatively comply with the following conditions: |
| --- | --- |

10.

The applicant enterprise or grouping must possess at least the minimum managerial capabilities required for carrying out prospection and exploration activities, and cumulatively comply with the following conditions:

| 10.1. | the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, each of its members, must provide original references from business partners, and |
| --- | --- |

10.1.

the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, each of its members, must provide original references from business partners, and

| 10.2. | the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, each of its members, must provide evidence of professional expertise and experience obtained in managing at least one project for prospection and exploration of mineral resources — oil and natural gas. |
| --- | --- |

10.2.

the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, each of its members, must provide evidence of professional expertise and experience obtained in managing at least one project for prospection and exploration of mineral resources — oil and natural gas.

| 11. | the applicant enterprise or where the applicant is a grouping, at least one of its members, must have generated a minimum of BGN 4 000 000 total net sales revenue for the three preceding financial years (depending on the date of its establishment). Where the applicant is a grouping which is not a legal person, the requirement set out in this point applies to the grouping as a whole, or |
| --- | --- |

11.

the applicant enterprise or where the applicant is a grouping, at least one of its members, must have generated a minimum of BGN 4 000 000 total net sales revenue for the three preceding financial years (depending on the date of its establishment). Where the applicant is a grouping which is not a legal person, the requirement set out in this point applies to the grouping as a whole, or

| 11.1. | the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, at least one of its members, must provide a reference from a bank or other financial institution certifying that is has the necessary financial means at its disposal to implement the oil and natural gas prospection and exploration activities in area ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’, or |
| --- | --- |

11.1.

the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, at least one of its members, must provide a reference from a bank or other financial institution certifying that is has the necessary financial means at its disposal to implement the oil and natural gas prospection and exploration activities in area ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’, or

| 11.2. | the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, at least one of its members, must submit a letter of intent from a bank or other financial institution regarding the provision to the applicant of the funds necessary for the implementation of oil and natural gas prospection and exploration activities in area ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’. |
| --- | --- |

11.2.

the applicant or where the applicant is a grouping, at least one of its members, must submit a letter of intent from a bank or other financial institution regarding the provision to the applicant of the funds necessary for the implementation of oil and natural gas prospection and exploration activities in area ‘Block 1-24 Kitka’.

| 12. | Applicants' bids shall be evaluated on the basis of the proposed work programmes, resources devoted to environmental protection, bonuses, training, and managerial and financial capacities, as provided for in this decision. |
| --- | --- |

12.

Applicants' bids shall be evaluated on the basis of the proposed work programmes, resources devoted to environmental protection, bonuses, training, and managerial and financial capacities, as provided for in this decision.

| 13. | The deposit for participation in the competition shall be set at BGN 5 000 and is to be paid, before the deadline specified in point 5, into the bank account of the Ministry of Energy: | BIC of the BNB for payments in Bulgarian currency (BGN) — BNBGBGSD, |
| --- | --- | --- |

13.

The deposit for participation in the competition shall be set at BGN 5 000 and is to be paid, before the deadline specified in point 5, into the bank account of the Ministry of Energy:

BIC of the BNB for payments in Bulgarian currency (BGN) — BNBGBGSD,

| | SWIFT code of the BNB for payments in foreign currency — BNBGBGSF, |
| --- | --- |

SWIFT code of the BNB for payments in foreign currency — BNBGBGSF,

| | IBAN — BG75 BNBG 9661 3300 1421 03, |
| --- | --- |

IBAN — BG75 BNBG 9661 3300 1421 03,

| | BNB (Bulgarian National Bank) — Headquarters. |
| --- | --- |

BNB (Bulgarian National Bank) — Headquarters.

| 14. | Applicants who are not admitted to the competitive bidding procedure shall have their deposits reimbursed within 14 days from the date of entry into force of the selection's board decision not to admit their application. |
| --- | --- |

14.

Applicants who are not admitted to the competitive bidding procedure shall have their deposits reimbursed within 14 days from the date of entry into force of the selection's board decision not to admit their application.

| 15. | The successful bidder's deposit shall be reimbursed within 14 days from the signing of the agreement, and the other bidders' deposits shall be reimbursed within 14 days from the publication in the State Gazette of the Council of Ministers' decision to grant authorisation for prospection and exploration. |
| --- | --- |

15.

The successful bidder's deposit shall be reimbursed within 14 days from the signing of the agreement, and the other bidders' deposits shall be reimbursed within 14 days from the publication in the State Gazette of the Council of Ministers' decision to grant authorisation for prospection and exploration.

| 16. | Applications to take part in the competitive bidding procedure and bids under the competitive bidding procedure shall be submitted to the Registry of the Ministry of Energy at: Triaditsa 8, Sofia, in Bulgarian, in accordance with the requirements of Article 46 of the Underground Natural Resources Act. |
| --- | --- |

16.

Applications to take part in the competitive bidding procedure and bids under the competitive bidding procedure shall be submitted to the Registry of the Ministry of Energy at: Triaditsa 8, Sofia, in Bulgarian, in accordance with the requirements of Article 46 of the Underground Natural Resources Act.

| 17. | Bids shall comply with the requirements and conditions specified in the bidding dossier. |
| --- | --- |

17.

Bids shall comply with the requirements and conditions specified in the bidding dossier.

| 18. | The competitive bidding procedure shall take place even if only one applicant is admitted to take part in it. |
| --- | --- |

18.

The competitive bidding procedure shall take place even if only one applicant is admitted to take part in it.

| 19. | The Minister of Energy is authorised to: |
| --- | --- |

19.

The Minister of Energy is authorised to:

| 19.1. | send this Decision for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union; |
| --- | --- |

19.1.

send this Decision for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

| 19.2. | organise and conduct the competitive bidding procedure. |
| --- | --- |

19.2.

organise and conduct the competitive bidding procedure.

| 20. | This Decision shall be published in the State Gazette and on the Council of Ministers website. This Decision shall be announced in the municipalities of Varna, Beloslav, Avren, Dolni Chiflik and Byala. |
| --- | --- |

20.

This Decision shall be published in the State Gazette and on the Council of Ministers website. This Decision shall be announced in the municipalities of Varna, Beloslav, Avren, Dolni Chiflik and Byala.

| 21. | Appeals against this Decision may be addressed to the Supreme Administrative Court pursuant to the Code of Administrative Procedure within 14 days of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

21.

Appeals against this Decision may be addressed to the Supreme Administrative Court pursuant to the Code of Administrative Procedure within 14 days of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Prime Minister

Boyko BORISOV

For the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers

Veselin DAKOV

Cabinet Office Director

Veselin DAKOV

---

ANNEX

LIST OF THE BOUNDARY POINT COORDINATES OF ‘BLOCK 1-24 KITKA’

WGS 84 coordinate system

| No | Latitude | Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 43°09′38.00′′ | 27°36′24.42′′ |
| 2 | 43°09′38.00′′ | 27°53′50.88′′ |
| 3 | 43°08′41.47′′ | 27°53′50.88′′ |
| 4 | 43°08′41.47′′ | 27°56′24.61′′ |
| coastline |
| 5 | 43°06′12.57′′ | 27°55′24.30′′ |
| 6 | 43°05′55.73′′ | 27°54′26.25′′ |
| 7 | 43°05′04.19′′ | 27°53′25.54′′ |
| 8 | 43°04′00.93′′ | 27°53′41.97′′ |
| 9 | 43°03′23.36′′ | 27°54′28.28′′ |
| coastline |
| 10 | 42°53′23.97′′ | 27°54′02.23′′ |
| 11 | 42°53′23.97′′ | 27°36′24.42′′ |
| 12 | 43°03′24.00′′ | 27°36′24.40′′ |
| 13 | 43°03′24.00′′ | 27°38′18.75′′ |
| 14 | 43°06′36.64′′ | 27°38′18.75′′ |
| 15 | 43°06′36.64′′ | 27°36′24.40′′ |
| excluded area |
| 16 | 43°01′41.74′′ | 27°52′39.73′′ |
| 17 | 43°01′41.74′′ | 27°52′52.18′′ |
| 18 | 43°01′33.65′′ | 27°52′52.18′′ |
| 19 | 43°01′33.55′′ | 27°52′39.73′′ |
| excluded area |
| 20 | 43 00′04.43′′ | 27°42′55.30′′ |
| 21 | 43°00′04.43′′ | 27°43′04.56′′ |
| 22 | 42°59′53.66′′ | 27°43′04.56′′ |
| 23 | 42°59′53.66′′ | 27°42′55.30′′ |
| excluded area |
| 24 | 42°58′24.20′′ | 27°38′49.49′′ |
| 25 | 42°58′24.20′′ | 27°40′12.28′′ |
| 26 | 42°58′00.55′′ | 27°40′12.28′′ |
| 27 | 42°58′00.55′′ | 27°38′49.49′′ |

No

Latitude

Longitude

1

43°09′38.00′′

27°36′24.42′′

2

43°09′38.00′′

27°53′50.88′′

3

43°08′41.47′′

27°53′50.88′′

4

43°08′41.47′′

27°56′24.61′′

coastline

5

43°06′12.57′′

27°55′24.30′′

6

43°05′55.73′′

27°54′26.25′′

7

43°05′04.19′′

27°53′25.54′′

8

43°04′00.93′′

27°53′41.97′′

9

43°03′23.36′′

27°54′28.28′′

coastline

10

42°53′23.97′′

27°54′02.23′′

11

42°53′23.97′′

27°36′24.42′′

12

43°03′24.00′′

27°36′24.40′′

13

43°03′24.00′′

27°38′18.75′′

14

43°06′36.64′′

27°38′18.75′′

15

43°06′36.64′′

27°36′24.40′′

excluded area

16

43°01′41.74′′

27°52′39.73′′

17

43°01′41.74′′

27°52′52.18′′

18

43°01′33.65′′

27°52′52.18′′

19

43°01′33.55′′

27°52′39.73′′

excluded area

20

43 00′04.43′′

27°42′55.30′′

21

43°00′04.43′′

27°43′04.56′′

22

42°59′53.66′′

27°43′04.56′′

23

42°59′53.66′′

27°42′55.30′′

excluded area

24

42°58′24.20′′

27°38′49.49′′

25

42°58′24.20′′

27°40′12.28′′

26

42°58′00.55′′

27°40′12.28′′

27

42°58′00.55′′

27°38′49.49′′

---

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 25.2.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 73/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.2.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 73/8

---

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

(2016/C 73/04)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following state aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 11 November 2015 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 77900 |
| Decision No | : | 476/15/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Region | : | Tyssedal |
| Title | : | Individual aid in favour of Tizir Titanium & Iron AS for the construction of a demonstration plant at Tyssedal |
| Legal basis | : | The Energy Fund scheme approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority by Decision No 248/11/COL |
| Type of measure | : | Individual aid under the Energy Fund scheme, subject to a detailed assessment |
| Objective | : | Promotion of new energy technology |
| Form of aid | : | Grant |
| Budget | : | 122 734 320 NOK |
| Intensity | : | 47,9 % |
| Duration | : | Aid will be distributed in the period 2015-2016 |
| Economic sectors | : | Titanium dioxide slag and high purity pig iron production |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Enova sf |
| Professor Borchsgt. 2 |
| N-7030 Trondheim |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

11 November 2015

Case No

:

77900

Decision No

:

476/15/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Region

:

Tyssedal

Title

:

Individual aid in favour of Tizir Titanium & Iron AS for the construction of a demonstration plant at Tyssedal

Legal basis

:

The Energy Fund scheme approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority by Decision No 248/11/COL

Type of measure

:

Individual aid under the Energy Fund scheme, subject to a detailed assessment

Objective

:

Promotion of new energy technology

Form of aid

:

Grant

Budget

:

122 734 320 NOK

Intensity

:

47,9 %

Duration

:

Aid will be distributed in the period 2015-2016

Economic sectors

:

Titanium dioxide slag and high purity pig iron production

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Enova sf

Professor Borchsgt. 2

N-7030 Trondheim

NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

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

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| 25.2.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 73/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.2.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 73/9

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State aid — Decision to raise no objections

(2016/C 73/05)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following state aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 25 November 2015 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 78009 |
| Decision No | : | 478/15/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | : | CLIMIT Demo |
| Legal basis | : | Stortingsvedtak nr. 352 (2002-2003), Stortingsvedtak nr. 69 (2003-2004), Innst. S. nr. 250 (2003-2004) vedtak nr. 549, Budsjettvedtak re. Budsjett-innst. S. nr. 9 (2004-2005) fra energi og miljøkomiteen, Kongelig resolusjon av 17.12.2004 Om opprettelse og fastsettelse av vedtekter og fullmakter for forvaltningsorganet Gassnova, forskrift om endringer i forskrift 16. desember 1977 nr. 14, forskrift 16. desember 1977 nr. 15. |
| Type of measure | : | Scheme |
| Objective | : | R&D&I |
| Form of aid | : | Grants |
| Budget | : | Max. NOK 200 million/year |
| Intensity | : | 25 % - 100 % depending on type of aid |
| Duration | : | 5 years |
| Economic sectors | : | All |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Gassnova SF |
| Dokkvegen 10 |
| N-3920 Porsgrunn |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

25 November 2015

Case No

:

78009

Decision No

:

478/15/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

:

CLIMIT Demo

Legal basis

:

Stortingsvedtak nr. 352 (2002-2003), Stortingsvedtak nr. 69 (2003-2004), Innst. S. nr. 250 (2003-2004) vedtak nr. 549, Budsjettvedtak re. Budsjett-innst. S. nr. 9 (2004-2005) fra energi og miljøkomiteen, Kongelig resolusjon av 17.12.2004 Om opprettelse og fastsettelse av vedtekter og fullmakter for forvaltningsorganet Gassnova, forskrift om endringer i forskrift 16. desember 1977 nr. 14, forskrift 16. desember 1977 nr. 15.

Type of measure

:

Scheme

Objective

:

R&D&I

Form of aid

:

Grants

Budget

:

Max. NOK 200 million/year

Intensity

:

25 % - 100 % depending on type of aid

Duration

:

5 years

Economic sectors

:

All

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Gassnova SF

Dokkvegen 10

N-3920 Porsgrunn

NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

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

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V Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

| 25.2.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 73/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

25.2.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 73/10

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Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Norges Høyesterett dated 5 June 2015 in the case of Holship Norge AS v Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund

(Case E-14/15)

(2016/C 73/06)

A request has been made to the EFTA Court by a letter dated 5 June 2015 from Norges Høyesterett (the Supreme Court of Norway), which was received at the Court Registry on 5 June 2015, for an Advisory Opinion in the case of Holship Norge AS v Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund on the following questions:

A   On competition law:

| A.1 | Does the exemption from the competition rules of the EEA Agreement that applies to collective agreements, as this exemption is described, inter alia, in the advisory opinion of the EFTA Court in Case E-8/00 Landsorganisasjonen i Norge and NKF [2002] EFTA Ct. Rep. 114, cover the use of a boycott against a port user in order to produce acceptance of a collective agreement, when such acceptance entails that the port user must give preference to buying unloading and loading services from a separate administration office as described in paragraphs 7 and 10 to 14 above, rather than to use its own employees for the same work? |
| --- | --- |

A.1

Does the exemption from the competition rules of the EEA Agreement that applies to collective agreements, as this exemption is described, inter alia, in the advisory opinion of the EFTA Court in Case E-8/00 Landsorganisasjonen i Norge and NKF [2002] EFTA Ct. Rep. 114, cover the use of a boycott against a port user in order to produce acceptance of a collective agreement, when such acceptance entails that the port user must give preference to buying unloading and loading services from a separate administration office as described in paragraphs 7 and 10 to 14 above, rather than to use its own employees for the same work?

| A.2 | If not, should such a system be assessed under Article 53 or Article 54 of the EEA Agreement? |
| --- | --- |

A.2

If not, should such a system be assessed under Article 53 or Article 54 of the EEA Agreement?

| A.3 | In that case, must the existence of an identical or corresponding system in other ports be taken into account in the assessment of whether there is a noticeable effect on cross-border trade within the EEA? |
| --- | --- |

A.3

In that case, must the existence of an identical or corresponding system in other ports be taken into account in the assessment of whether there is a noticeable effect on cross-border trade within the EEA?

B   On the freedom of establishment:

| B.1 | Is it a restriction on the freedom of establishment pursuant to Article 31 of the EEA Agreement for a trade union to use a boycott in order to produce acceptance of a collective agreement by a company whose parent company is based in another EEA State, when the collective agreement entails that the company must give preference to buying unloading and loading services from a separate administration office having the characteristics described in paragraphs 10 to 14 above, rather than use its own employees for this work? |
| --- | --- |

B.1

Is it a restriction on the freedom of establishment pursuant to Article 31 of the EEA Agreement for a trade union to use a boycott in order to produce acceptance of a collective agreement by a company whose parent company is based in another EEA State, when the collective agreement entails that the company must give preference to buying unloading and loading services from a separate administration office having the characteristics described in paragraphs 10 to 14 above, rather than use its own employees for this work?

| B.2 | Would it be of significance for the assessment of whether a restriction exists, if the company’s need for unloading and loading services proved to be very limited and/or sporadic? |
| --- | --- |

B.2

Would it be of significance for the assessment of whether a restriction exists, if the company’s need for unloading and loading services proved to be very limited and/or sporadic?

| B.3 | If a restriction exists: Is it of significance for the assessment of whether the restriction is lawful or not, that the company, in relation to its own dockworkers, applies another collective agreement negotiated between the social partners in the State where the port is located, when that collective agreement concerns matters other than unloading and loading work? |
| --- | --- |

B.3

If a restriction exists: Is it of significance for the assessment of whether the restriction is lawful or not, that the company, in relation to its own dockworkers, applies another collective agreement negotiated between the social partners in the State where the port is located, when that collective agreement concerns matters other than unloading and loading work?

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