# Official Journal C 96/2016

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 96 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5911 March 2016 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 96

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5911 March 2016

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions |
| | RECOMMENDATIONS |
| | Council |
| 2016/C 096/01 | Council Recommendation of 8 March 2016 on the economic policy of the euro area | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RECOMMENDATIONS

Council

2016/C 096/01

Council Recommendation of 8 March 2016 on the economic policy of the euro area

1

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| | II   Information |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 096/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7841 — Avril Pôle Animal/Tönnies International Holding/JV) (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2016/C 096/03 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7903 — Löwen Entertainment/Safari Holding/Schmidt Gruppe Service/Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention) (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2016/C 096/04 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7909 — Lone Star Fund IX/N&W Global Vending) (
  1
  ) | 5 |

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2016/C 096/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7841 — Avril Pôle Animal/Tönnies International Holding/JV) (
  1
  )

1

4

2016/C 096/03

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7903 — Löwen Entertainment/Safari Holding/Schmidt Gruppe Service/Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention) (
  1
  )

1

4

2016/C 096/04

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.7909 — Lone Star Fund IX/N&W Global Vending) (
  1
  )

1

5

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 096/05 | Euro exchange rates | 6 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2016/C 096/06 | Update of reference amounts for the crossing of the external borders, as referred to in Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) | 7 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2016/C 096/05

Euro exchange rates

6

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2016/C 096/06

Update of reference amounts for the crossing of the external borders, as referred to in Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code)

7

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2016/C 096/07 | Notice concerning a request pursuant to Article 35 of Directive 2014/25/EU — Request made by a Contracting Entity | 9 |

V   Announcements

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2016/C 096/07

Notice concerning a request pursuant to Article 35 of Directive 2014/25/EU — Request made by a Contracting Entity

9

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RECOMMENDATIONS

Council

| 11.3.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.3.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/1

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COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 8 March 2016

on the economic policy of the euro area

(2016/C 96/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 136, in conjunction with Article 121(2) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (1), and in particular Article 5(2) thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (2), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation of the European Commission,

Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic Policy Committee,

Whereas:

| (1) | According to the Commission’s 2015 autumn economic forecast, the economic recovery continues at a moderate pace in the euro area. Sustaining and strengthening growth in the euro area requires continued policy efforts to support a balanced adjustment in the private and public sectors, improve the adjustment capacity and increase the economy’s competitiveness and growth potential in the medium to long term. The pace of growth is hampered by legacies of the most recent economic and financial crises, including ongoing external rebalancing, high levels of public and private debt, high unemployment, as well as persistent structural rigidities in national labour and product markets. Investment remains weak on account of these factors, but also of other bottlenecks, such as unfavourable business environments, public-administration inefficiencies as well as obstacles to access to finance. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

According to the Commission’s 2015 autumn economic forecast, the economic recovery continues at a moderate pace in the euro area. Sustaining and strengthening growth in the euro area requires continued policy efforts to support a balanced adjustment in the private and public sectors, improve the adjustment capacity and increase the economy’s competitiveness and growth potential in the medium to long term. The pace of growth is hampered by legacies of the most recent economic and financial crises, including ongoing external rebalancing, high levels of public and private debt, high unemployment, as well as persistent structural rigidities in national labour and product markets. Investment remains weak on account of these factors, but also of other bottlenecks, such as unfavourable business environments, public-administration inefficiencies as well as obstacles to access to finance.

| (2) | The implementation of ambitious structural reforms that raise productivity and boost growth potential needs to be bolstered in line with the policy priorities set out in the Commission’s 2016 Annual Growth Survey for all Member States. If carried out jointly across Member States, structural reforms can offer benefits to the euro area as a whole through positive spillover effects, in particular through trade and financial channels. Despite some progress with reforms to improve the resilience of labour markets, significant divergences persist across the euro area, especially as regards long-term and youth unemployment rates. Those Member States that pursued comprehensive labour market and social protection reforms prior to the crisis have been able to better support employment and preserve fairness during the economic downturn. Such reforms encompass flexible and reliable contractual arrangements, comprehensive lifelong learning strategies, effective active labour market policies, and adequate and sustainable social protection systems. Also, reducing the tax wedge on labour, in particular for low-income earners, and ensuring equitable tax systems can improve outcomes. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The implementation of ambitious structural reforms that raise productivity and boost growth potential needs to be bolstered in line with the policy priorities set out in the Commission’s 2016 Annual Growth Survey for all Member States. If carried out jointly across Member States, structural reforms can offer benefits to the euro area as a whole through positive spillover effects, in particular through trade and financial channels. Despite some progress with reforms to improve the resilience of labour markets, significant divergences persist across the euro area, especially as regards long-term and youth unemployment rates. Those Member States that pursued comprehensive labour market and social protection reforms prior to the crisis have been able to better support employment and preserve fairness during the economic downturn. Such reforms encompass flexible and reliable contractual arrangements, comprehensive lifelong learning strategies, effective active labour market policies, and adequate and sustainable social protection systems. Also, reducing the tax wedge on labour, in particular for low-income earners, and ensuring equitable tax systems can improve outcomes.

| (3) | An appropriate development and swift implementation of reforms can help in addressing existing imbalances in the euro area and in preventing the build-up of new ones. The thematic discussions within the Eurogroup, with increased focus on benchmarking, pursuing best practices and peer pressure, can contribute to promoting convergence towards best performance. The Eurogroup should therefore further strengthen the thematic discussions on reforms in areas that are essential for the functioning of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and regularly monitor the implementation of reforms by euro area Member States as well as the progress made with the correction of imbalances in the context of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

An appropriate development and swift implementation of reforms can help in addressing existing imbalances in the euro area and in preventing the build-up of new ones. The thematic discussions within the Eurogroup, with increased focus on benchmarking, pursuing best practices and peer pressure, can contribute to promoting convergence towards best performance. The Eurogroup should therefore further strengthen the thematic discussions on reforms in areas that are essential for the functioning of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and regularly monitor the implementation of reforms by euro area Member States as well as the progress made with the correction of imbalances in the context of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure.

| (4) | Fiscal policies are a matter of vital common interest in EMU. Responsible national fiscal policies that respect the common fiscal rules are essential to support debt sustainability and allow the fiscal stabilisers to operate and cushion country specific shocks. In addition, it is essential to achieve an appropriate fiscal stance at the level of the euro area as a whole reflecting a balance between long-term fiscal sustainability and short-term macroeconomic stabilisation, and to avoid pro-cyclical fiscal policies. The fiscal effort needed varies depending on Member States’ respective positions with regard to the requirements under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), and Member States should also consider stabilisation needs and take into account possible spillovers across the euro area. This calls for a reinforcement of the coordination of fiscal policies within the euro area in full respect of the SGP. In this context, the broadly neutral aggregate fiscal stance in the euro area expected in 2016 appears appropriate in light of the overall macroeconomic conditions and downside risks to growth. As regards 2017, based on the forecast of a gradually closing output gap, fiscal policies should avoid pro-cyclicality and reduce public debt in order to restore fiscal buffers. This should be reflected in the preparations of the updated stability programmes in spring 2016, taking into account the latest economic and fiscal developments. The composition of fiscal strategies is not yet sufficiently growth-friendly. As highlighted in the Council Recommendation to the euro area Member States (3) adopted on 14 July 2015, euro area Member States should hold thematic discussions on improvements in the quality and sustainability of public finances. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Fiscal policies are a matter of vital common interest in EMU. Responsible national fiscal policies that respect the common fiscal rules are essential to support debt sustainability and allow the fiscal stabilisers to operate and cushion country specific shocks. In addition, it is essential to achieve an appropriate fiscal stance at the level of the euro area as a whole reflecting a balance between long-term fiscal sustainability and short-term macroeconomic stabilisation, and to avoid pro-cyclical fiscal policies. The fiscal effort needed varies depending on Member States’ respective positions with regard to the requirements under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), and Member States should also consider stabilisation needs and take into account possible spillovers across the euro area. This calls for a reinforcement of the coordination of fiscal policies within the euro area in full respect of the SGP. In this context, the broadly neutral aggregate fiscal stance in the euro area expected in 2016 appears appropriate in light of the overall macroeconomic conditions and downside risks to growth. As regards 2017, based on the forecast of a gradually closing output gap, fiscal policies should avoid pro-cyclicality and reduce public debt in order to restore fiscal buffers. This should be reflected in the preparations of the updated stability programmes in spring 2016, taking into account the latest economic and fiscal developments. The composition of fiscal strategies is not yet sufficiently growth-friendly. As highlighted in the Council Recommendation to the euro area Member States (3) adopted on 14 July 2015, euro area Member States should hold thematic discussions on improvements in the quality and sustainability of public finances.

| (5) | The Banking Union needs to be fully implemented. First, Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) (‘Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive’) is to be fully transposed without further delay by all Member States. Second, a fiscally neutral common backstop to the Single Resolution Fund (SRF) will be developed during the transitional period as defined in Regulation (EU) No 806/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), and will be fully operational by the end of the transitional period, when resources of the SRF are fully mutualised. Progress shall be reviewed soon after the entry into force of the SRF. The common backstop also will be fiscally neutral over the medium term and will ensure equivalent treatment across all participating Member States, as well as incurring no costs for Member States not participating in the Banking Union. Once the SRF enters into force and when participating Member States have ratified the intergovernmental agreement and fully transposed the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, Member States will take stock of the establishment of the bridge financing arrangements and consider the way forward and timing regarding the work on the common backstop, to ensure that it will be fully operational by the end of the transitional period. Member States will also reflect further in 2016 on measures needed to continue deepening the Banking Union. Finally, as part of the further development of the Banking Union, the Commission issued on 24 November 2015 its communication entitled ‘Towards the Completion of the Banking Union’. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The Banking Union needs to be fully implemented. First, Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) (‘Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive’) is to be fully transposed without further delay by all Member States. Second, a fiscally neutral common backstop to the Single Resolution Fund (SRF) will be developed during the transitional period as defined in Regulation (EU) No 806/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), and will be fully operational by the end of the transitional period, when resources of the SRF are fully mutualised. Progress shall be reviewed soon after the entry into force of the SRF. The common backstop also will be fiscally neutral over the medium term and will ensure equivalent treatment across all participating Member States, as well as incurring no costs for Member States not participating in the Banking Union. Once the SRF enters into force and when participating Member States have ratified the intergovernmental agreement and fully transposed the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, Member States will take stock of the establishment of the bridge financing arrangements and consider the way forward and timing regarding the work on the common backstop, to ensure that it will be fully operational by the end of the transitional period. Member States will also reflect further in 2016 on measures needed to continue deepening the Banking Union. Finally, as part of the further development of the Banking Union, the Commission issued on 24 November 2015 its communication entitled ‘Towards the Completion of the Banking Union’.

| (6) | Financial market conditions remain overall favourable in the euro area, against the background of an accommodative monetary policy stance. However, the still weak economic fundamentals and high leverage in the private sector continue to weigh on demand for bank lending, and thereby economic growth. Banks’ balance sheets remain under pressure from high levels of non-performing loans, hampering lending activity. Diverse and sometimes inadequate insolvency regimes in the Union contribute to delaying the reduction of private sector debt, holding back investment. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Financial market conditions remain overall favourable in the euro area, against the background of an accommodative monetary policy stance. However, the still weak economic fundamentals and high leverage in the private sector continue to weigh on demand for bank lending, and thereby economic growth. Banks’ balance sheets remain under pressure from high levels of non-performing loans, hampering lending activity. Diverse and sometimes inadequate insolvency regimes in the Union contribute to delaying the reduction of private sector debt, holding back investment.

| (7) | Notwithstanding the recent achievements in strengthening the EMU architecture, work must continue to complete it. The Five Presidents’ Report ‘Completing Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union’ of 22 June 2015 prepared by the President of the European Commission, in close cooperation with the Presidents of the European Council, of the European Central Bank, of the Eurogroup and of the European Parliament, sets out the way ahead to complete EMU by 2025. On 21 October 2015, the Commission adopted, jointly with the European Parliament, the Council and the European Central Bank, a ‘Communication on steps towards Completing Economic and Monetary Union’, which contains a first set of follow-up proposals to the Five Presidents’ report. The euro area Member States should take collective ownership and move ahead in a timely, open and transparent manner, with the implementation of short and medium-term initiatives towards the completion of EMU. With a view to promoting convergence across the euro area, the proposals include measures to strengthen the euro area dimension of the European Semester by, inter alia, an earlier publication of the euro area recommendations, with a view to identifying common challenges early on in the process and to reflecting this in the formulation of country-specific recommendations for the euro area Member States to be adopted later in the European Semester. The euro area Member States should also work, in an open and transparent manner, on more long-term initiatives towards the completion of EMU, |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Notwithstanding the recent achievements in strengthening the EMU architecture, work must continue to complete it. The Five Presidents’ Report ‘Completing Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union’ of 22 June 2015 prepared by the President of the European Commission, in close cooperation with the Presidents of the European Council, of the European Central Bank, of the Eurogroup and of the European Parliament, sets out the way ahead to complete EMU by 2025. On 21 October 2015, the Commission adopted, jointly with the European Parliament, the Council and the European Central Bank, a ‘Communication on steps towards Completing Economic and Monetary Union’, which contains a first set of follow-up proposals to the Five Presidents’ report. The euro area Member States should take collective ownership and move ahead in a timely, open and transparent manner, with the implementation of short and medium-term initiatives towards the completion of EMU. With a view to promoting convergence across the euro area, the proposals include measures to strengthen the euro area dimension of the European Semester by, inter alia, an earlier publication of the euro area recommendations, with a view to identifying common challenges early on in the process and to reflecting this in the formulation of country-specific recommendations for the euro area Member States to be adopted later in the European Semester. The euro area Member States should also work, in an open and transparent manner, on more long-term initiatives towards the completion of EMU,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS that in the period 2016-2017, euro area Member States take action within the Eurogroup, individually and collectively, to:

| 1. | Pursue policies that support the recovery, foster convergence, facilitate the correction of macroeconomic imbalances and improve adjustment capacity. To this end, Member States, particularly those with large stocks of private and foreign debt, are to implement reforms that enhance productivity, foster job creation, raise competitiveness and improve the business environment. Member States with large current account surpluses are to implement as a priority measures, including structural reforms, that help strengthen their domestic demand and growth potential. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Pursue policies that support the recovery, foster convergence, facilitate the correction of macroeconomic imbalances and improve adjustment capacity. To this end, Member States, particularly those with large stocks of private and foreign debt, are to implement reforms that enhance productivity, foster job creation, raise competitiveness and improve the business environment. Member States with large current account surpluses are to implement as a priority measures, including structural reforms, that help strengthen their domestic demand and growth potential.

| 2. | Implement reforms that combine: (i) flexible and reliable labour contracts that promote smooth labour market transitions and avoid a two-tier labour market; (ii) comprehensive lifelong learning strategies; (iii) effective policies to help the unemployed re-enter the labour market; (iv) adequate and sustainable social protection systems that contribute effectively and efficiently throughout the life cycle both to social inclusion and labour market integration; and (v) open and competitive product and services markets. Reduce the tax wedge on labour, particularly on low-earners, in a budgetary-neutral way to foster job creation. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Implement reforms that combine: (i) flexible and reliable labour contracts that promote smooth labour market transitions and avoid a two-tier labour market; (ii) comprehensive lifelong learning strategies; (iii) effective policies to help the unemployed re-enter the labour market; (iv) adequate and sustainable social protection systems that contribute effectively and efficiently throughout the life cycle both to social inclusion and labour market integration; and (v) open and competitive product and services markets. Reduce the tax wedge on labour, particularly on low-earners, in a budgetary-neutral way to foster job creation.

| 3. | Pursue fiscal policies in full respect of the SGP. For 2016, the objective of a broadly neutral aggregate fiscal stance in the euro area appears appropriate in order to reflect a balance between long-term fiscal sustainability and short-term macroeconomic stabilisation. Looking towards 2017, reduce public debt to restore fiscal buffers and avoid pro-cyclicality. Differentiate the fiscal effort by individual Member States in line with their respective positions with regard to the requirements under the SGP while considering stabilisation needs, as well as taking into account possible spillovers across euro area Member States. To this end, review the euro area fiscal stance in the context of the stability programmes and the draft budgetary plans. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Pursue fiscal policies in full respect of the SGP. For 2016, the objective of a broadly neutral aggregate fiscal stance in the euro area appears appropriate in order to reflect a balance between long-term fiscal sustainability and short-term macroeconomic stabilisation. Looking towards 2017, reduce public debt to restore fiscal buffers and avoid pro-cyclicality. Differentiate the fiscal effort by individual Member States in line with their respective positions with regard to the requirements under the SGP while considering stabilisation needs, as well as taking into account possible spillovers across euro area Member States. To this end, review the euro area fiscal stance in the context of the stability programmes and the draft budgetary plans.

| 4. | Facilitate the gradual reduction of banks’ non-performing loans and improve insolvency proceedings for businesses and households. In Member States with large stocks of private debt, promote an orderly deleveraging, including by facilitating the resolution of unviable private debt. |
| --- | --- |

4.

Facilitate the gradual reduction of banks’ non-performing loans and improve insolvency proceedings for businesses and households. In Member States with large stocks of private debt, promote an orderly deleveraging, including by facilitating the resolution of unviable private debt.

| 5. | Work towards completing EMU in an open and transparent manner, while fully supporting the internal market, and further exploring the legal, economic and political aspects of the more long-term measures contained in the Five Presidents’ Report. |
| --- | --- |

5.

Work towards completing EMU in an open and transparent manner, while fully supporting the internal market, and further exploring the legal, economic and political aspects of the more long-term measures contained in the Five Presidents’ Report.

Done at Brussels, 8 March 2016.

For the Council

The President

J.R.V.A. DIJSSELBLOEM

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(1)  OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.

1

(2)  OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25.

2

(3)  Council Recommendation of 14 July 2015 on the implementation of the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States whose currency is the euro (OJ C 272, 18.8.2015, p. 98).

3

(4)  Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms and amending Council Directive 82/891/EEC, and Directives 2001/24/EC, 2002/47/EC, 2004/25/EC, 2005/56/EC, 2007/36/EC, 2011/35/EU, 2012/30/EU and 2013/36/EU, and Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 648/2012, of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 173, 12.6.2014, p. 190).

4

(5)  Regulation (EU) No 806/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2014 establishing uniform rules and a uniform procedure for the resolution of credit institutions and certain investment firms in the framework of a Single Resolution Mechanism and a Single Resolution Fund and amending Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 (OJ L 225, 30.7.2014, p. 1).

5

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 11.3.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.3.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/4

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.7841 — Avril Pôle Animal/Tönnies International Holding/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 96/02)

On 3 March 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 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 32016M7841. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32016M7841. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

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| 11.3.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.3.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/4

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.7903 — Löwen Entertainment/Safari Holding/Schmidt Gruppe Service/Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 96/03)

On 4 March 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 the German 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 32016M7903. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32016M7903. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

---

| 11.3.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.3.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/5

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.7909 — Lone Star Fund IX/N&W Global Vending)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 96/04)

On 4 March 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 32016M7909. 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 32016M7909. 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

| 11.3.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.3.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/6

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Euro exchange rates (1)

10 March 2016

(2016/C 96/05)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0857 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 123,87 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4587 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,76728 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,2361 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0941 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,2926 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,037 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 310,01 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2921 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4585 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 3,1292 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,4522 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4424 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,4299 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6277 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5013 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 302,89 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,3640 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,0787 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5670 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 168,19 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,4438 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 50,581 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 76,4370 |
| THB | Thai baht | 38,314 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,9720 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 19,1827 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 72,6645 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0857

JPY

Japanese yen

123,87

DKK

Danish krone

7,4587

GBP

Pound sterling

0,76728

SEK

Swedish krona

9,2361

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0941

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,2926

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,037

HUF

Hungarian forint

310,01

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2921

RON

Romanian leu

4,4585

TRY

Turkish lira

3,1292

AUD

Australian dollar

1,4522

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4424

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,4299

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6277

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5013

KRW

South Korean won

1 302,89

ZAR

South African rand

16,3640

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,0787

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5670

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 168,19

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,4438

PHP

Philippine peso

50,581

RUB

Russian rouble

76,4370

THB

Thai baht

38,314

BRL

Brazilian real

3,9720

MXN

Mexican peso

19,1827

INR

Indian rupee

72,6645

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

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 11.3.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.3.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/7

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Update of reference amounts for the crossing of the external borders, as referred to in Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) (1)

(2016/C 96/06)

The publication of reference amounts for the crossing of the external borders, as referred to in Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), is based on the information communicated by the Member States to the Commission in accordance with Article 34 of the Schengen Borders Code.

In addition to the publication in the Official Journal, a monthly update is available on the website of the Directorate-General for Home Affairs.

SPAIN

Replacement of the information published in OJ C 38 of 4.2.2015

The Order of the Ministry of the Presidency (PRE/1282/2007) of 10 May on the financial means aliens are required to have in order to enter Spain specifies the amount that aliens have to prove is available to them in order to be able to enter Spain.

| (a) | For the costs of their stay in Spain, the amount they have available to them must represent, in euro, 10 % of the gross national minimum wage (EUR 66,52) or its legal equivalent in foreign currency multiplied by the number of days they intend to stay in Spain and by the number of dependent persons travelling with them. The minimum amount at their disposal must represent 90 % of the gross national minimum wage (EUR 598,68) or its legal equivalent in foreign currency per person, regardless of the intended duration of the stay. |
| --- | --- |

(a)

For the costs of their stay in Spain, the amount they have available to them must represent, in euro, 10 % of the gross national minimum wage (EUR 66,52) or its legal equivalent in foreign currency multiplied by the number of days they intend to stay in Spain and by the number of dependent persons travelling with them. The minimum amount at their disposal must represent 90 % of the gross national minimum wage (EUR 598,68) or its legal equivalent in foreign currency per person, regardless of the intended duration of the stay.

| (b) | For their return to the state of provenance or for transit via third states, aliens must be able to produce a personal, untransferable and fixed-date ticket or tickets for the planned means of transport. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

For their return to the state of provenance or for transit via third states, aliens must be able to produce a personal, untransferable and fixed-date ticket or tickets for the planned means of transport.

Aliens must prove that they have the above means of subsistence either by producing them if they are in cash, or by producing certified cheques, traveller’s cheques, receipts or credit cards, which must be accompanied by a recent bank statement (bank letters or internet bank statements are not acceptable) or by other evidence clearly showing the amount of credit available on the card or bank account.

List of previous publications

| | OJ C 247, 13.10.2006, p. 19 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 247, 13.10.2006, p. 19

| | OJ C 153, 6.7.2007, p. 22 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 153, 6.7.2007, p. 22

| | OJ C 182, 4.8.2007, p. 18 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 182, 4.8.2007, p. 18

| | OJ C 57, 1.3.2008, p. 38 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 57, 1.3.2008, p. 38

| | OJ C 134, 31.5.2008, p. 19 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 134, 31.5.2008, p. 19

| | OJ C 37, 14.2.2009, p. 8 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 37, 14.2.2009, p. 8

| | OJ C 35, 12.2.2010, p. 7 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 35, 12.2.2010, p. 7

| | OJ C 304, 10.11.2010, p. 5 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 304, 10.11.2010, p. 5

| | OJ C 24, 26.1.2011, p. 6 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 24, 26.1.2011, p. 6

| | OJ C 157, 27.5.2011, p. 8 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 157, 27.5.2011, p. 8

| | OJ C 203, 9.7.2011, p. 16 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 203, 9.7.2011, p. 16

| | OJ C 11, 13.1.2012, p. 13 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 11, 13.1.2012, p. 13

| | OJ C 72, 10.3.2012, p. 44 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 72, 10.3.2012, p. 44

| | OJ C 199, 7.7.2012, p. 8 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 199, 7.7.2012, p. 8

| | OJ C 298, 4.10.2012, p. 3 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 298, 4.10.2012, p. 3

| | OJ C 56, 26.2.2013, p. 13 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 56, 26.2.2013, p. 13

| | OJ C 98, 5.4.2013, p. 3 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 98, 5.4.2013, p. 3

| | OJ C 269, 18.9.2013, p. 2 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 269, 18.9.2013, p. 2

| | OJ C 57, 28.2.2014, p. 1 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 57, 28.2.2014, p. 1

| | OJ C 152, 20.5.2014, p. 25 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 152, 20.5.2014, p. 25

| | OJ C 224, 15.7.2014, p. 31 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 224, 15.7.2014, p. 31

| | OJ C 434, 4.12.2014, p. 3 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 434, 4.12.2014, p. 3

| | OJ C 447, 13.12.2014, p. 32 |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 447, 13.12.2014, p. 32

| | OJ C 38, 4.2.2015, p. 20. |
| --- | --- |

OJ C 38, 4.2.2015, p. 20.

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(1)  See the list of previous publications at the end of this update.

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V Announcements

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 11.3.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 96/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

11.3.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 96/9

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Notice concerning a request pursuant to Article 35 of Directive 2014/25/EU

Request made by a Contracting Entity

(2016/C 96/07)

On 2 February 2016 the Commission received a request in accordance with Article 35 of Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement procedures by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC (1). The first working day following receipt of the request is 3 February 2016.

This request is made by Vapo Oy and concerns activities relating to the exploitation of a geographical area for the purposes of exploring or extracting fuel peat on the territory of Finland. Article 35 of Directive 2014/25/EU provides that the latter Directive is not applicable when the relevant activity is directly exposed to competition in markets to which access is not restricted. These conditions are evaluated solely for the purposes of Directive 2014/25/EU and are without prejudice to the application of competition rules or other fields of EU policies.

Pursuant to letter (b) of first paragraph, of point 1 of Annex IV to Directive 2014/25/EU, the Commission is allowed a period of 130 working days to take a decision on this request, commencing on the working day referred to above. The period therefore expires on 12 August 2016.

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(1)  OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243.

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