# Official Journal C 143/2007

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 143 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5028 June 2007 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 143

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5028 June 2007

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Commission |
| 2007/C 143/01 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2007/C 143/02 | Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 | 2 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2007/C 143/03 | EFTA Surveillance Authority decision No 280/06/COL of 4 October 2006 not to raise objections to the proposed amendments to the Norwegian tax refund schemes to ship owners for seafarers aboard vessels in the Norwegian Ordinary Shipping Register (NOR) and the Norwegian International Shipping Register (NIS) — Summary information | 5 |
| 2007/C 143/04 | Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 i of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid) | 6 |
| 2007/C 143/05 | Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 f of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises) | 7 |
| 2007/C 143/06 | Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 d of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid) | 8 |

Notice No

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

2007/C 143/01

Euro exchange rates

1

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2007/C 143/02

Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

2

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2007/C 143/03

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision No 280/06/COL of 4 October 2006 not to raise objections to the proposed amendments to the Norwegian tax refund schemes to ship owners for seafarers aboard vessels in the Norwegian Ordinary Shipping Register (NOR) and the Norwegian International Shipping Register (NIS) — Summary information

5

2007/C 143/04

Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 i of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid)

6

2007/C 143/05

Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 f of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises)

7

2007/C 143/06

Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 d of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid)

8

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | Commission |
| 2007/C 143/07 | Call for proposals — DG EAC 26/07 — Pilot projects for cooperation between European Institutes of Technology | 9 |
| | COURT PROCEEDINGS |
| | European Economic AreaEFTA Court |
| 2007/C 143/08 | Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Fürstliches Landgericht by decision of that court of 31 January 2007 in the criminal proceedings against Sedin Poric (Case E-1/07) | 13 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY |
| | Commission |
| 2007/C 143/09 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4706 — Superior Essex/Invex) (
  1
  ) | 14 |
| 2007/C 143/10 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4743 — Warburg Pincus/Bausch) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 15 |
| 2007/C 143/11 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4764 — Debitel/Talkline) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 16 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Commission

2007/C 143/07

Call for proposals — DG EAC 26/07 — Pilot projects for cooperation between European Institutes of Technology

9

COURT PROCEEDINGS

European Economic AreaEFTA Court

2007/C 143/08

Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Fürstliches Landgericht by decision of that court of 31 January 2007 in the criminal proceedings against Sedin Poric (Case E-1/07)

Sedin Poric

13

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY

Commission

2007/C 143/09

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4706 — Superior Essex/Invex) (
  1
  )

1

14

2007/C 143/10

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4743 — Warburg Pincus/Bausch) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

15

2007/C 143/11

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4764 — Debitel/Talkline) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

16

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

27 June 2007

(2007/C 143/01)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,3438 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 164,69 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4423 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,67295 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,2815 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,652 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 84,64 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,9725 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CYP | Cyprus pound | 0,5837 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 28,648 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 247,72 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6962 |
| MTL | Maltese lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,803 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 3,1695 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 33,956 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,7886 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5965 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4384 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 10,5025 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7627 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 2,0671 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 246,78 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 9,6737 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,2381 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3024 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 12 272,93 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6805 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 62,554 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 34,733 |
| THB | Thai baht | 42,834 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,3438

JPY

Japanese yen

164,69

DKK

Danish krone

7,4423

GBP

Pound sterling

0,67295

SEK

Swedish krona

9,2815

CHF

Swiss franc

1,652

ISK

Iceland króna

84,64

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,9725

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CYP

Cyprus pound

0,5837

CZK

Czech koruna

28,648

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

247,72

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6962

MTL

Maltese lira

0,4293

PLN

Polish zloty

3,803

RON

Romanian leu

3,1695

SKK

Slovak koruna

33,956

TRY

Turkish lira

1,7886

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5965

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4384

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

10,5025

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7627

SGD

Singapore dollar

2,0671

KRW

South Korean won

1 246,78

ZAR

South African rand

9,6737

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,2381

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3024

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

12 272,93

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6805

PHP

Philippine peso

62,554

RUB

Russian rouble

34,733

THB

Thai baht

42,834

---

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/2

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Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

(2007/C 143/02)

XA Number: XA 64/07

Member State: Republic of Lithuania

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Paramos teikimas už šalutinių gyvūninių produktų, neskirtų vartoti žmonėms, pašalinimą ir sunaikinimą

Legal basis: Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 13 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-162 „Dėl paramos teikimo už šalutinių gyvūninių produktų, neskirtų vartoti žmonėms, pašalinimą ir sunaikinimą taisyklių patvirtinimo ir žemės ūkio ministro 2006 m. gegužės 26 d. įsakymo Nr. 3D-217 bei žemės ūkio ministro 2006 m. spalio 3 d. įsakymo Nr. 3D-385 pripažinimo netekusiais galios“

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: LTL 6 800 000, in accordance with the official EUR exchange rate (EUR 1 971 000).

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 100 % of the costs of the removal and destruction of fallen stock, when TSE testing of such fallen stock is obligatory.

Up to 100 % of the costs of removing fallen stock.

Up to 75 % of the costs of the destruction of such fallen stock.

Date of implementation: 1 May 2007.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013.

Objective of aid: Aid to SMEs.

To provide aid for enterprises and farmers operating in the stock-farming sector in order to ensure a consistent programme of control and safe removal of all fallen stock.

Article 16 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 applies.

The eligible costs are costs related to the removal and destruction of fallen stock.

Sector(s) concerned: Primary production of agricultural products.

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija |
| --- |
| Gedimino pr. 19 (Lelevelio g. 6) |
| LT-01103 Vilnius |

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija

Gedimino pr. 19 (Lelevelio g. 6)

LT-01103 Vilnius

Web: http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3409&langparam=Lt

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 65/07

Member State: Cyprus

Region: The aid is not granted by a regional authority.

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Sigan Management — Plan for the Collection, Transport and Processing of Animal Waste

Legal basis: Άρθρο 120470.07501 του Προϋπολογισμού για το 2007 — Άλλες Δαπάνες — Συλλογή, μεταφορά, επεξεργασία και τελική διάθεση Ζωικών Αποβλήτων (προσφορά 20/2004) [(Article 120470.07501 of the Budget for 2007 — Other expenditure — Collection, transport, processing and final disposal of animal waste (Bid 20/2004)]

Ο περί της Εφαρμογής Κοινοτικών Κανονισμών στον Τομέα της Κτηνιατρικής Νόμος του 2004 [Ν149(Ι)/2004 (2004 Law on the implementation of Community Regulations in the veterinary sector) (Ν149(Ι)/2004)]

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Sigan Management is granted 1 295 000 CYP annually. Each year, before the last monthly payment is made, the annual amount is readjusted on the basis of any change in fuel costs and the payment is adjusted accordingly.

Μaximum aid intensity: 100 % coverage of expenditure on the removal and destruction of dead adult sheep and goats (over 18 months old). These animals must be checked for TSE.

100 % coverage of expenditure on the removal and destruction of dead cattle over 24 months old. These animals must be checked for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE). 100 % coverage of expenditure on the removal and destruction of dead animals (calves up to 24 months, sheep and goats up to 18 months, pigs, poultry and rabbits). The competent authority will increase the slaughter fee for all animals and poultry to cover 25 % of expenditure on the destruction of those animals. According to the competent authority's calculations, 25 % of the cost of destroying the dead animals (calves up to 24 months, sheep and goats up to 18 months, pigs, poultry and rabbits) amounts to 150 892 CYP per year.

Date of implementation: The scheme started operating on 1.12.2006 (it is a State aid scheme implemented before the date of entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and which nonetheless falls within its scope, by virtue of Article 23(2) thereof).

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The company is obliged to offer its services in accordance with the terms laid down in the tender documents for a period of 7 years, i.e. until 30.11.2013.

Objective of aid: The collection, transport, storage and general handling of animal waste not intended for human consumption, governed by the provisions of Regulation (EC) 1774/2002, which have been transposed into Cypriot law by the 2004 Law on the implementation of Community Regulations in the veterinary sector (Ν149(Ι)/2004).

Sector(s) concerned: All livestock farmers in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus who avail themselves of the services provided free of charge by Sigan Management: collection and destruction of dead animals.

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Κτηνιατρικές Υπηρεσίες (Veterinary Services) |
| --- |
| Υπουργείο Γεωργίας, Φυσικών Πόρων και Περιβάλλοντος (Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment) |
| CY-1417 Λευκωσία (CY-1417 Nicosia) |

Κτηνιατρικές Υπηρεσίες (Veterinary Services)

Υπουργείο Γεωργίας, Φυσικών Πόρων και Περιβάλλοντος (Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment)

CY-1417 Λευκωσία (CY-1417 Nicosia)

Internet address: www.moa.gov.cy/vs

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 66/07

Member State: Latvia

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Eiropas Savienības struktūrfonda Eiropas Lauksaimniecības virzības un garantiju fonds Vienotā programmdokumenta 4. prioritātes “Lauku un zivsaimniecības attīstības veicināšana” 4.1. pasākuma “Investīcijas lauksaimniecības uzņēmumos”

Legal basis: 2006. gada 19. septembra MK noteikumi Nr. 777 “Noteikumi par atklāta projektu iesniegumu konkursa “Investīcijas lauksaimniecības uzņēmumos” vadlīnijām”

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The total amount under the aid scheme is LVL 5 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: Public financing of the applicable costs does not exceed:

Eligible costs:

Only those items in the construction project estimate that in the framework of the project are directly related to measures financed by the Structural Funds are eligible. However, the following costs not directly related to production will, for instance, be considered to be eligible costs if the amount thereof does not exceed 30 % of the total amount of eligible construction costs: construction reconstruction and renovation of administrative buildings, installation of external lighting, guard rooms within buildings, installation of security alarm systems, including video surveillance systems, auxiliary rooms, if their functional use is explained, staff rest rooms, etc.

If the construction project provides for landscaping, only the costs of asphalting (or applying other surfacing materials), laying lawns and erecting fences and pass checkpoints will be considered as eligible costs.

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid: Until 30 December 2008

Objective of the aid: The objective of the aid is to ensure balanced and sustainable rural development, diminishing socio-economic differences between rural and urban areas, conserving a diverse rural environment and promoting the efficiency and competitiveness of agricultural production.

This measure is in conformity with Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Sector(s) concerned: The aid is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises active in agriculture.

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija |
| --- |
| LV-1981 Rīga |

Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija

LV-1981 Rīga

Internet address: www.zm.gov.lv

XA Number: XA 67/07

Member State: Republic of Lithuania

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Aid to stock breeding

Legal basis: Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 18 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-166 „Dėl paramos veislininkystei taisyklių patvirtinimo“

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: LTL 28 000 000, in accordance with the official EUR exchange rate (EUR 8 109 360).

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 100 % of the administrative costs of establishing and maintaining herd books;

Up to 70 % of the costs of tests performed by or on behalf of third parties to determine the genetic quality or productivity of livestock, with the exception of checks performed by the livestock owner and routine checks on milk quality;

Up to 40 % of the costs related to the introduction of innovative stock breeding methods or techniques at farm level, with the exception of any costs related to artificial insemination, until 31 December 2011;

Up to 100 % of the costs related to the organisation of competitions, shows, fairs and forums, and participation in them, with a view to exchanging information.

Date of implementation: 1 May 2007.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013

Aid towards costs related to the introduction of innovative stock breeding methods or techniques at farm level, with the exception of costs related to artificial insemination, until 31 December 2011.

Objective of aid:

| — | support to SMEs; |
| --- | --- |

—

support to SMEs;

| — | to encourage stock breeders to participate in programmes for the evaluation of breeding stock on the basis of their progenies and in other selection programmes; |
| --- | --- |

—

to encourage stock breeders to participate in programmes for the evaluation of breeding stock on the basis of their progenies and in other selection programmes;

| — | to increase the productivity of reared animals and improve the genetic potential, and to expand herds with high breeding values; |
| --- | --- |

—

to increase the productivity of reared animals and improve the genetic potential, and to expand herds with high breeding values;

| — | to collect data on animal productivity and breeds, and to develop computerised stock breeding and animal selection programmes using a single computer network; |
| --- | --- |

—

to collect data on animal productivity and breeds, and to develop computerised stock breeding and animal selection programmes using a single computer network;

| — | to modernise animal productivity and meat quality assessment technologies; |
| --- | --- |

—

to modernise animal productivity and meat quality assessment technologies;

| — | to encourage stock breeders to rear animals of high breeding value and to improve animal breeding values; |
| --- | --- |

—

to encourage stock breeders to rear animals of high breeding value and to improve animal breeding values;

| — | to preserve and improve Lithuanian livestock breeds and their gene pool; |
| --- | --- |

—

to preserve and improve Lithuanian livestock breeds and their gene pool;

| — | to assess breeding stock and to organise livestock shows and horse trials and competitions. |
| --- | --- |

—

to assess breeding stock and to organise livestock shows and horse trials and competitions.

Articles 15 and 16 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 apply.

The eligible costs are:

| 1. | the administrative costs of establishing and maintaining herd books; |
| --- | --- |

1.

the administrative costs of establishing and maintaining herd books;

| 2. | the costs of tests performed by or on behalf of third parties to determine the genetic quality or productivity of livestock, with the exception of controls undertaken by the livestock owner and routine controls of milk quality; |
| --- | --- |

2.

the costs of tests performed by or on behalf of third parties to determine the genetic quality or productivity of livestock, with the exception of controls undertaken by the livestock owner and routine controls of milk quality;

| 3. | costs related to the introduction at farm level of innovative stock-breeding methods or techniques, with the exception of costs related to the introduction or performance of artificial insemination; |
| --- | --- |

3.

costs related to the introduction at farm level of innovative stock-breeding methods or techniques, with the exception of costs related to the introduction or performance of artificial insemination;

| 4. | costs related to the organisation of competitions, shows, fairs and forums, and participation in them with a view to exchanging information. |
| --- | --- |

4.

costs related to the organisation of competitions, shows, fairs and forums, and participation in them with a view to exchanging information.

Sector(s) concerned: Animal husbandry (cattle farming, horse farming, pig farming, sheep farming, goat farming).

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija |
| --- |
| Gedimino pr. 19 (Lelevelio g. 6) |
| LT-01103 Vilnius |

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija

Gedimino pr. 19 (Lelevelio g. 6)

LT-01103 Vilnius

Web: http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3414&langparam=LT

Other information: —

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/5

---

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision No 280/06/COL of 4 October 2006 not to raise objections to the proposed amendments to the Norwegian tax refund schemes to ship owners for seafarers aboard vessels in the Norwegian Ordinary Shipping Register (NOR) and the Norwegian International Shipping Register (NIS)

Summary information

(2007/C 143/03)

| Number of aid | 59523/57304 |
| --- | --- |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Region | Norway |
| Title and objective of aid schemes | Alterations to three tax refund schemes to shipowners for seafarers employed aboard vessels in the Norwegian Ordinary Shipping Register (NOR) and the Norwegian International Shipping Register (NIS).
  The main aim of the tax refund schemes for employment and training of seafarers is to safeguard and increase employment of Norwegian and EEA seafarers, to secure recruitment and qualified training of seafarers and to improve the competitive position of companies employing such seafarers. At the same time, the schemes have a wider strategic objective of preserving and developing know-how in the maritime industries in general and improving safety.
  The alterations have the effect that the schemes will apply for seafarers who are tax liable in Norway without having a residence there |
| Legal basis | Annual fiscal budget according to decision made by the Norwegian Parliament and regulation No 1720 of 21 December 2005 |
| Annual expenditure planned | Aid scheme | Annual expenditure planned: | For the schemes as such:
  NOK 1 225 million (EUR 154 million) |

Number of aid

59523/57304

EFTA State

Norway

Region

Norway

Title and objective of aid schemes

Alterations to three tax refund schemes to shipowners for seafarers employed aboard vessels in the Norwegian Ordinary Shipping Register (NOR) and the Norwegian International Shipping Register (NIS).

The main aim of the tax refund schemes for employment and training of seafarers is to safeguard and increase employment of Norwegian and EEA seafarers, to secure recruitment and qualified training of seafarers and to improve the competitive position of companies employing such seafarers. At the same time, the schemes have a wider strategic objective of preserving and developing know-how in the maritime industries in general and improving safety.

The alterations have the effect that the schemes will apply for seafarers who are tax liable in Norway without having a residence there

Legal basis

Annual fiscal budget according to decision made by the Norwegian Parliament and regulation No 1720 of 21 December 2005

Annual expenditure planned

Aid scheme

Annual expenditure planned:

For the schemes as such:

NOK 1 225 million (EUR 154 million)

| | For the inclusion of seafarers who are tax liable in Norway without having a residence there:
  NOK 25 million (EUR 3,14 million) |
| --- | --- |

For the inclusion of seafarers who are tax liable in Norway without having a residence there:

NOK 25 million (EUR 3,14 million)

Duration

The tax refund schemes have not been limited in time by the Norwegian Parliament.

The Norwegian authorities will, however, re-notify the scheme before 1 January 2016

Maximum aid intensity of the aid scheme

Under the so-called gross wage scheme the shipowner will be refunded 9,3 or 12 % of the seafarer's wage as a partial refund of the tax imposed on the latter.

Under the so-called net wage schemes, taxes and social security contributions imposed on wage income are reimbursed in full

Economic sectors

Maritime transport

Name and address of the granting authority

| Ministry of Trade and Industry |
| --- |
| P.O. Box 8014 Dep |
| N-0030 Oslo |

Ministry of Trade and Industry

P.O. Box 8014 Dep

N-0030 Oslo

---

| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/6

---

Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 i of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid)

(2007/C 143/04)

| Aid No | Regional Aid — 1/2007 — Norway |
| --- | --- |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Region | Regional aid area (EFTA Surveillance Authority Dec. No 226/06/COL) |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Regional investment grant |
| Legal basis | Forskrift om geografisk virkeomrade og bruk av dei regional- og distriktspolitiske verkemidla
  Annual grant offer letters |
| Annual expenditure planned under the aid scheme | Annual overall amount | NOK 220 million |
| Maximum aid intensity | In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation | Yes |
| Date of implementation | 1.1.2007 |
| Duration of scheme or individual aid award | Until 31.12.2013 |
| Economic sectors concerned | All sectors eligible for regional investment aid | Yes |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Innovation Norway |
| Postbox 448 Sentrum |
| N-0104 Oslo |
| post@innovasjonnorge.no |

Aid No

Regional Aid — 1/2007 — Norway

EFTA State

Norway

Region

Regional aid area (EFTA Surveillance Authority Dec. No 226/06/COL)

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Regional investment grant

Legal basis

Forskrift om geografisk virkeomrade og bruk av dei regional- og distriktspolitiske verkemidla

Annual grant offer letters

Annual expenditure planned under the aid scheme

Annual overall amount

NOK 220 million

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

1.1.2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2013

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for regional investment aid

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Innovation Norway

Postbox 448 Sentrum

N-0104 Oslo

post@innovasjonnorge.no

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| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/7

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Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 f of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises)

(2007/C 143/05)

Aid No: Aid to SME — 4/2006 — Norway

EFTA State: Norway

Title of aid scheme: Wood-based Innovation Scheme

Legal basis: St.prp. nr 1, chapter 1149 under item 71. Yearly letter of allocation from the Royal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Annual expenditure planned under the aid scheme: Annual overall amount: Approximately EUR 4,3 million per year

Maximum aid intensity: In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation, and in conformity with Commission Regulation (EC) No 364/2004, Articles 5a-5c

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Dependent on yearly grants from the authorities

Objective of aid: Aid to SMEs

Economic sectors concerned: All sectors contributing to increased use of wood and value adding within the wood-based production chain (except aid to development of bioenergy production and pulp and paper production)

Name and address of the granting authority:

Large individual aid grants: In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

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| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/8

---

Information communicated by the EFTA States regarding State aid granted under the Act referred to in point 1 d of Annex XV of the EEA Agreement (Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid)

(2007/C 143/06)

Aid No: Training Aid — 5/2006 — Norway

EFTA State: Norway

Title of aid scheme: Wood-based Innovation Scheme

Legal basis: St.prp. nr 1, chapter 1149 under item 71. Yearly letter of allocation from the Royal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Annual expenditure planned under the aid scheme: Annual overall amount approximately EUR 4,3 million per year

Maximum aid intensity: In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Dependent on yearly grants from the authorities

Objective of aid: General training and specific training

Economic sectors concerned: All sectors contributing to increased use of wood and value adding within the wood-based production chain (except aid to development of bioenergy production and pulp and paper production)

Name and address of the granting authority:

Large individual aid grants: In conformity with Article 5 of the Regulation

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V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

Commission

| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/9

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS — DG EAC 26/07

Pilot projects for cooperation between European Institutes of Technology

(2007/C 143/07)

1.   Introduction/Background

In Europe there are many kinds of collaboration between the actors operating in the knowledge triangle of education, research, and innovation. Usually these take the form of a network in which partners share information and coordinate their activities on an equal basis. While these initiatives have helped create a context in which European organisations and institutes of technology (such as universities, research centres, enterprises and public bodies dealing with innovation) can collaborate more easily, Europe still falls short in turning R&D results into commercial opportunities. To this end, there is growing demand to take these types of collaboration a step further, for example, by creating common governance structures or by sharing resources more effectively. Furthermore, these partnerships are increasingly being requested to focus on knowledge and technology transfer activities, in order to maximise their social and economic impact and their capacity to produce innovation. In this context, the European Parliament has established a budget line (Article 15 02 29) for a pilot project for ‘cooperation between European Institutes of Technology’ (1). On this basis, this call for proposals aims at addressing the demand to increase Europe's technology transfer capacity by means of closer integration of the knowledge triangle.

In particular, this will be achieved by establishing pilot networks that will design, implement and test new models of integrated partnerships between the actors involved in technological innovation and transfer (such as universities, research organisations, small, medium-sized and large companies, innovation centres, etc.). The knowledge and experience therefore produced should not just support these networks in taking their integration a step further, but also provide good practices and support both for existing networks operating in the knowledge triangle and for policy-makers who are designing new instruments and initiatives to support integration.

2.   Objectives and Description

The strategic objective of these pilot projects is to design, implement and test new models of cooperation in the knowledge triangle which aim to become integrated partnerships. The final goal is to facilitate knowledge-sharing and technology transfer by building up the capacity of European networks in strategic interdisciplinary fields to bring their collaboration to a new, more integrated form of partnership. Outputs would include designs for new models of governance for integrated partnerships to overcome the barriers to closer collaboration between the leading players in the knowledge triangle, implementation and testing of some of the critical components identified, plus a set of recommendations and good practices to disseminate and further exploit the results of projects. Each proposed partnership should address the above-mentioned goals with a specific focus on one strategic interdisciplinary field that will be used as a case study to test the applicability of the results. Proposals should give reasons for the strategic field which the applicants have chosen to cover in view of its economic and social impact.

3.   Eligibility criteria

Applications which comply with the following criteria will be subjected to an in-depth evaluation.

3.1.   Eligible establishments/bodies/types of beneficiary

| — | Applications must be sumitted by a coordinator of a partnership of at least six independent legal entities (including the coordinator), each of which is established in a Member State and no two of which are established in the same Member State. |
| --- | --- |

—

Applications must be sumitted by a coordinator of a partnership of at least six independent legal entities (including the coordinator), each of which is established in a Member State and no two of which are established in the same Member State.

| — | Eligible organisations are universities, research centres, knowledge transfer offices and training centres providing expertise on technology transfer or innovation management-related issues, incubation centres, science parks or the like, companies both large and small and other stakeholders involved in technology and knowledge transfer, including regional development agencies or the like. |
| --- | --- |

—

Eligible organisations are universities, research centres, knowledge transfer offices and training centres providing expertise on technology transfer or innovation management-related issues, incubation centres, science parks or the like, companies both large and small and other stakeholders involved in technology and knowledge transfer, including regional development agencies or the like.

To be eligible for a grant, a body must satisfy the following requirements:

| — | All the applicants must be a public or private independent body with legal status and legal personality; |
| --- | --- |

—

All the applicants must be a public or private independent body with legal status and legal personality;

| — | Natural persons, that is to say individuals, may not submit applications; |
| --- | --- |

—

Natural persons, that is to say individuals, may not submit applications;

| — | The applicants must have existed legally for at least two years when the application is submitted; |
| --- | --- |

—

The applicants must have existed legally for at least two years when the application is submitted;

| — | The applicants must have their registered office based in one of the EU-27 countries. |
| --- | --- |

—

The applicants must have their registered office based in one of the EU-27 countries.

The partnerships must:

| — | include a balanced mix of organisations and expertise for dealing with research, education and innovation in the interdisciplinary field concerned from both the public and private sectors; |
| --- | --- |

—

include a balanced mix of organisations and expertise for dealing with research, education and innovation in the interdisciplinary field concerned from both the public and private sectors;

| — | have experience and foundations of cooperation in an interdisciplinary field, with a social and economic impact; |
| --- | --- |

—

have experience and foundations of cooperation in an interdisciplinary field, with a social and economic impact;

| — | show that the proposed interdisciplinary field has the value of high inter-linkage between the various components of the knowledge triangle; |
| --- | --- |

—

show that the proposed interdisciplinary field has the value of high inter-linkage between the various components of the knowledge triangle;

| — | have a track record in networking activities, having been involved in European-level networks such as Networks of Excellence, European Technology Platforms or other EU-funded collaborative programmes. In this sense, at least half the organizations forming the partnership must be part of, or have been involved in, European-level networks dealing with research, education and innovation where partners come from at least six Member States. These networks, even if temporary, should be or have been officially established (e.g. under a contract or consortium agreement) and envisage performing a shared set of activities; |
| --- | --- |

—

have a track record in networking activities, having been involved in European-level networks such as Networks of Excellence, European Technology Platforms or other EU-funded collaborative programmes. In this sense, at least half the organizations forming the partnership must be part of, or have been involved in, European-level networks dealing with research, education and innovation where partners come from at least six Member States. These networks, even if temporary, should be or have been officially established (e.g. under a contract or consortium agreement) and envisage performing a shared set of activities;

| — | have both horizontal competence on issues such as innovation management, entrepreneurship, regional or virtual clusters and knowledge management and vertical competence for application of the findings to a particular interdisciplinary field; |
| --- | --- |

—

have both horizontal competence on issues such as innovation management, entrepreneurship, regional or virtual clusters and knowledge management and vertical competence for application of the findings to a particular interdisciplinary field;

| — | propose a management structure capable of delivering coordination and integration of the activities performed by the partners; |
| --- | --- |

—

propose a management structure capable of delivering coordination and integration of the activities performed by the partners;

| — | propose a set of activities to study new models for integrating the partnership and test the feasibility of these findings along with the capacity to maximise dissemination of the results to other networks; |
| --- | --- |

—

propose a set of activities to study new models for integrating the partnership and test the feasibility of these findings along with the capacity to maximise dissemination of the results to other networks;

| — | have proven capacity to link the European-level dimension with the local and regional impact being involved in local/regional innovation activities; |
| --- | --- |

—

have proven capacity to link the European-level dimension with the local and regional impact being involved in local/regional innovation activities;

| — | include at least one public organisation concerned with innovation and knowledge transfer activities. |
| --- | --- |

—

include at least one public organisation concerned with innovation and knowledge transfer activities.

3.2.   Eligible countries

Only applications from legal entities established in one of the EU Member States are eligible.

4.   Award criteria

Eligible applications/projects will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria (in parentheses the weight that is given to each criterion):

| — | Content (30 %)






  — | The quality of the proposal in terms of objectives, relevance, activities, and deliverables. |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Content (30 %)

—

The quality of the proposal in terms of objectives, relevance, activities, and deliverables.

| — | Partnership (30 %)






  — | The quality of the scientific, educational and innovation competence of the partners in the proposed interdisciplinary field and in the field of innovation management. |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Partnership (30 %)

—

The quality of the scientific, educational and innovation competence of the partners in the proposed interdisciplinary field and in the field of innovation management.

| — | Quality and extensiveness of the networking experience of the participants. |
| --- | --- |

—

Quality and extensiveness of the networking experience of the participants.

| — | Quality of the partnership in terms of European impact, technology and knowledge transfer capacity and commitment to deep, sustainable and durable integration. |
| --- | --- |

—

Quality of the partnership in terms of European impact, technology and knowledge transfer capacity and commitment to deep, sustainable and durable integration.

| — | Management (20 %)






  — | Appropriateness of the management structure. |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Management (20 %)

—

Appropriateness of the management structure.

| — | Adequacy of resources for successfully carrying out the proposed activities. |
| --- | --- |

—

Adequacy of resources for successfully carrying out the proposed activities.

| — | Capacity to attract and mobilize additional resources to Community funding, both at the start of the project or during its lifetime, in particular from the private sector. |
| --- | --- |

—

Capacity to attract and mobilize additional resources to Community funding, both at the start of the project or during its lifetime, in particular from the private sector.

| — | Impact (20 %)






  — | European-level impact of the results and dissemination activities. |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Impact (20 %)

—

European-level impact of the results and dissemination activities.

| — | Capacity to implement the results via other initiatives and adequacy of an exit strategy. |
| --- | --- |

—

Capacity to implement the results via other initiatives and adequacy of an exit strategy.

5.   Budget

The total budget earmarked for the cofinancing of projects amounts to EUR 5 million. Financial assistance from the Commission cannot exceed 75 % of the total eligible costs. Each grant will amount to between EUR 0,5 and 1,5 million. The maximum grant will be EUR 1,5 million.

Given the budget of EUR 5 million, it is estimated that three to five partnerships could be financed.

6.   Timetable

Applications must reach the Commission no later than 15 August 2007.

Activities must start before 30 December 2007 and end before 31 December 2009. The maximum duration of projects is 24 months. No applications will be accepted for projects scheduled to run for a longer period than that specified in this call for proposals. No extensions to the eligibility period beyond the maximum duration will be granted. The intention is to inform applicants of the outcome of the selection procedure no later than October 2007.

It is planned that beneficiaries will receive their agreements for signing by November 2007. The period of eligibility of costs will start on the day the contract is signed by the last of the parties. If a beneficiary can demonstrate the need to start the action before the agreement is signed, expenditure may be authorised before the agreement is signed. Under no circumstances can the eligibility period start before the date of submission of the application for a grant.

7.   Further information

The full text of the call for proposals and the application forms are available on the following website:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/calls/grants_en.html

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text and be submitted using the form provided.

---

(1)  Pilot project, as defined by Article 49(2) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1).

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COURT PROCEEDINGS

European Economic Area EFTA Court

| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/13

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Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Fürstliches Landgericht by decision of that court of 31 January 2007 in the criminal proceedings against Sedin Poric

(Case E-1/07)

(2007/C 143/08)

A request has been made to the EFTA Court by decision of 31 January 2007 of Fürstliches Landgericht (Princely Court of Liechtenstein), which was received at the Court Registry on 7 February 2007, for an Advisory Opinion in the criminal proceedings against Sedin Poric on the following questions:

| 1. | Is a provision such as that of Article 57a of the Liechtenstein Lawyers Act [Rechtsanwaltsgesetz], according to which, in proceedings in which a party is represented by a lawyer or a defending counsel must be engaged, the European lawyer providing services must call in a local lawyer to act in conjunction with [Einvernehmensrechtsanwalt] pursuant to Article 49 of the Liechtenstein Lawyers Act, compatible with the provisions of the EEA Agreement relating to the freedom to provide services (Article 36(1) of the EEA Agreement), and in particular with Council Directive 77/249/EEC of 22 March 1977 to facilitate the effective exercise by lawyers of freedom to provide services, and specifically with the second indent of Article 5 thereof? |
| --- | --- |

1.

Is a provision such as that of Article 57a of the Liechtenstein Lawyers Act [Rechtsanwaltsgesetz], according to which, in proceedings in which a party is represented by a lawyer or a defending counsel must be engaged, the European lawyer providing services must call in a local lawyer to act in conjunction with [Einvernehmensrechtsanwalt] pursuant to Article 49 of the Liechtenstein Lawyers Act, compatible with the provisions of the EEA Agreement relating to the freedom to provide services (Article 36(1) of the EEA Agreement), and in particular with Council Directive 77/249/EEC of 22 March 1977 to facilitate the effective exercise by lawyers of freedom to provide services, and specifically with the second indent of Article 5 thereof?

| 2. | In case the EFTA Court answers the first question in the negative: may a provision of national law such as that of Article 57a of the Liechtenstein Lawyers Act which fails appropriately to transpose into national law a directive adopted in pursuance of Article 7 litra b of the EEA Agreement, such as the directive mentioned in Question 1, nevertheless be applied in a State which is a Contracting Party to the EEA Agreement? |
| --- | --- |

2.

In case the EFTA Court answers the first question in the negative: may a provision of national law such as that of Article 57a of the Liechtenstein Lawyers Act which fails appropriately to transpose into national law a directive adopted in pursuance of Article 7 litra b of the EEA Agreement, such as the directive mentioned in Question 1, nevertheless be applied in a State which is a Contracting Party to the EEA Agreement?

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY

Commission

| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/14

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4706 — Superior Essex/Invex)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 143/09)

| 1. | On 21 June 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Superior Essex Inc., ('Superior Essex', USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Invex S.p.A. ('Invex', Italy) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 21 June 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Superior Essex Inc., ('Superior Essex', USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Invex S.p.A. ('Invex', Italy) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for Superior Essex: manufacture and supply of various cables and wires for telecommunications purposes and winding wires and their enamels; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Superior Essex: manufacture and supply of various cables and wires for telecommunications purposes and winding wires and their enamels;

| — | for Invex: manufacture and supply of winding wires. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Invex: manufacture and supply of winding wires.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4706 — Superior Essex/Invex, to the following address:





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

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4706 — Superior Essex/Invex, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

---

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

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| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/15

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4743 — Warburg Pincus/Bausch)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 143/10)

| 1. | On 20 June 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1), by which Warburg Pincus LLC (‘Warburg’ USA) through its affiliates, acquires, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation, sole control over the Bausch & Lomb Inc. (‘Bausch’, USA) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 20 June 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1), by which Warburg Pincus LLC (‘Warburg’ USA) through its affiliates, acquires, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation, sole control over the Bausch & Lomb Inc. (‘Bausch’, USA) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for Warburg: private equity investor. |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Warburg: private equity investor.

| — | for Bausch: manufacture, marketing and sale of eye care health products |
| --- | --- |

—

for Bausch: manufacture, marketing and sale of eye care health products

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within the scope of Regulation (EEC) No139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within the scope of Regulation (EEC) No139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4743 — Warburg Pincus/Bausch to the following address:





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

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4743 — Warburg Pincus/Bausch to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

---

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

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

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| 28.6.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 143/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 143/16

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4764 — Debitel/Talkline)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 143/11)

| 1. | On 21 June 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Debitel AG (‘Debitel’, Germany) controlled by Permira Europe III Funds acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Talkline Management und Finance Holding GmbH (‘Talkline’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 21 June 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Debitel AG (‘Debitel’, Germany) controlled by Permira Europe III Funds acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Talkline Management und Finance Holding GmbH (‘Talkline’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for undertaking Debitel: mobile and fixed-line telephony services, internet services, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for undertaking Debitel: mobile and fixed-line telephony services, internet services,

| — | for undertaking Talkline: mobile telecommunication services. |
| --- | --- |

—

for undertaking Talkline: mobile telecommunication services.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4764 — Debitel/Talkline, to the following address:





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

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4764 — Debitel/Talkline, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

---

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

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

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