# Official Journal C 175/2006

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 175 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 4927 July 2006 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 175

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 4927 July 2006

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Information |
| | Commission |
| 2006/C 175/1 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |
| 2006/C 175/2 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4298 — Aggregate Industries/Foster Yeoman) (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| 2006/C 175/3 | Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions given at its 403rd meeting on 10 February 2006 concerning a preliminary draft decision in case Comp/A.38.381— De Beers (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2006/C 175/4 | Final report of the hearing officer in case COMP/38.381/B2 — De Beers (pursuant to Articles 15 and 16 of Commission Decision (2001/462/EC, ECSC) of 23 May 2001 on the terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings — OJ L 162, 19.6.2001, p. 21)
   (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2006/C 175/5 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4295 — Endesa/Foster Wheeler) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 7 |
| 2006/C 175/6 | Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (
  1
  ) | 8 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Information

Commission

2006/C 175/1

Euro exchange rates

1

2006/C 175/2

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4298 — Aggregate Industries/Foster Yeoman) (
  1
  )

1

2

2006/C 175/3

Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions given at its 403rd meeting on 10 February 2006 concerning a preliminary draft decision in case Comp/A.38.381— De Beers (
  1
  )

1

3

2006/C 175/4

Final report of the hearing officer in case COMP/38.381/B2 — De Beers (pursuant to Articles 15 and 16 of Commission Decision (2001/462/EC, ECSC) of 23 May 2001 on the terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings — OJ L 162, 19.6.2001, p. 21)
   (
  1
  )

(pursuant to Articles 15 and 16 of Commission Decision (2001/462/EC, ECSC) of 23 May 2001 on the terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings — OJ L 162, 19.6.2001, p. 21)

1

4

2006/C 175/5

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4295 — Endesa/Foster Wheeler) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

7

2006/C 175/6

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (
  1
  )

1

8

| | III   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | Commission |
| 2006/C 175/7 | Call for proposals for modal shift, catalyst and common learning actions under the Marco Polo Programme (Council and Parliament Regulation (EC) No 1382/2003 of 22 July 2003, OJ L 196 of 2.8.2003, p. 1) | 12 |

III   Notices

Commission

2006/C 175/7

Call for proposals for modal shift, catalyst and common learning actions under the Marco Polo Programme (Council and Parliament Regulation (EC) No 1382/2003 of 22 July 2003, OJ L 196 of 2.8.2003, p. 1)

12

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

---

I Information

Commission

| 27.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 175/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 175/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

26 July 2006

(2006/C 175/01)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2587 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 147,10 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4610 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,68415 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,2452 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,5756 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 91,54 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,9340 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CYP | Cyprus pound | 0,5750 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 28,373 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 272,81 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6961 |
| MTL | Maltese lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,9246 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 3,5455 |
| SIT | Slovenian tolar | 239,65 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 38,122 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,9138 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6599 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4323 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,7899 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 2,0171 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,9923 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 201,49 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 8,8301 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,0541 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,2650 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 454,17 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,632 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 65,138 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 33,9450 |
| THB | Thai baht | 47,793 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2587

JPY

Japanese yen

147,10

DKK

Danish krone

7,4610

GBP

Pound sterling

0,68415

SEK

Swedish krona

9,2452

CHF

Swiss franc

1,5756

ISK

Iceland króna

91,54

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,9340

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CYP

Cyprus pound

0,5750

CZK

Czech koruna

28,373

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

272,81

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6961

MTL

Maltese lira

0,4293

PLN

Polish zloty

3,9246

RON

Romanian leu

3,5455

SIT

Slovenian tolar

239,65

SKK

Slovak koruna

38,122

TRY

Turkish lira

1,9138

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6599

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4323

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,7899

NZD

New Zealand dollar

2,0171

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,9923

KRW

South Korean won

1 201,49

ZAR

South African rand

8,8301

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,0541

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,2650

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 454,17

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,632

PHP

Philippine peso

65,138

RUB

Russian rouble

33,9450

THB

Thai baht

47,793

---

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

---

| 27.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 175/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 175/2

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4298 — Aggregate Industries/Foster Yeoman)

(2006/C 175/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 19 July 2006, 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 Aggregate Industries Ltd (‘Aggregate Industries’, UK), controlled by the Holcim Group (‘Holcim’, Switzerland) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Foster Yeoman Ltd (‘Foster Yeoman’, UK) by way of recommended cash offer for the purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 19 July 2006, 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 Aggregate Industries Ltd (‘Aggregate Industries’, UK), controlled by the Holcim Group (‘Holcim’, Switzerland) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Foster Yeoman Ltd (‘Foster Yeoman’, UK) by way of recommended cash offer for the purchase of shares.

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






  — | for Holcim: cement-focused building materials, aggregates, ready-mix concrete and asphalt; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Holcim: cement-focused building materials, aggregates, ready-mix concrete and asphalt;

| — | for Aggregate Industries: production and supply of aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and pre-cast concrete products; |
| --- | --- |

—

for Aggregate Industries: production and supply of aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and pre-cast concrete products;

| — | Foster Yeoman: production and supply of aggregates and asphalt, road surfacing. |
| --- | --- |

—

Foster Yeoman: production and supply of aggregates and asphalt, road surfacing.

| 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 (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4298 — Aggregate Industries/Foster Yeoman, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

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 (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4298 — Aggregate Industries/Foster Yeoman, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

---

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

---

| 27.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 175/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 175/3

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Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions given at its 403rd meeting on 10 February 2006 concerning a preliminary draft decision in case Comp/A.38.381— De Beers

(2006/C 175/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | The Advisory Committee agrees that the proceedings opened with a formal statement of objections under article 82 of the Treaty in January 2003, can be concluded by means of a decision pursuant to Article 9(1) of EC Regulation No 1/2003 which will make commitments binding on De Beers. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The Advisory Committee agrees that the proceedings opened with a formal statement of objections under article 82 of the Treaty in January 2003, can be concluded by means of a decision pursuant to Article 9(1) of EC Regulation No 1/2003 which will make commitments binding on De Beers.

| 2. | The Advisory Committee agrees that a transitional period, from 2006 to 2008, during which De Beers can purchase a maximum amount of rough diamonds from ALROSA can be considered necessary to build a competitive distribution system for the quantities of diamonds previously sold by Alrosa to De Beers. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The Advisory Committee agrees that a transitional period, from 2006 to 2008, during which De Beers can purchase a maximum amount of rough diamonds from ALROSA can be considered necessary to build a competitive distribution system for the quantities of diamonds previously sold by Alrosa to De Beers.

| 3. | The Advisory Committee agrees that — in the light of the commitments offered by the undertakings — there are no longer grounds for action by the Commission, without prejudice to Article 9(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The Advisory Committee agrees that — in the light of the commitments offered by the undertakings — there are no longer grounds for action by the Commission, without prejudice to Article 9(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003.

| 4. | The Advisory Committee recommends the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

4.

The Advisory Committee recommends the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the European Union.

| 5. | The Advisory Committee asks the Commission to take account of all other points raised during the discussion. |
| --- | --- |

5.

The Advisory Committee asks the Commission to take account of all other points raised during the discussion.

---

| 27.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 175/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 175/4

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Final report of the hearing officer in case COMP/38.381/B2 — De Beers

(pursuant to Articles 15 and 16 of Commission Decision (2001/462/EC, ECSC) of 23 May 2001 on the terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition proceedings — OJ L 162, 19.6.2001, p. 21)

(2006/C 175/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

The draft Decision presented to the Commission under Art. 9 of Council Regulation No 1/2003 concerns the trade relations of De Beers as regards rough diamonds. It is addressed to De Beers SA (‘De Beers’) as the parent company of, amongst others, City West and East limited (‘CWEL’) and De Beers Centenary Aktiengesellschaft (‘DBCAG’) (hereinafter ‘the Parties’).

Origin of the case: Merger Regulation and 17/62 of Council Regulation

In the course of the investigation on the merger case M.2333 (De Beers/LVMH/Rapids World) which was concluded in July 2001, the Commission services became aware of the existence of a trade agreement (‘Trade Agreement’) between De Beers and ALROSA Company Limited (‘ALROSA’) for the sale of rough diamonds. On 5 March 2002, following further investigation by the Commission, CWEL, DBCAG and ALROSA, in accordance with Articles 2 and 4 of No 17/62 of Council Regulation jointly applied to the Commission for negative clearance or, alternatively, for an individual exemption under Article 81(3) of the EC Treaty in respect of the Trade Agreement.

On 14 January 2003, the Commission issued a statement of objections (‘SO’) under Article 82 EC addressed to De Beers, CEWL and DBCAG in respect of the Trade Agreement and granted them access to the Commission's file (1). On 1 July 2003, a supplementary SO was addressed to the Parties, to the effect of adding Article 54 of the European Economic Area Agreement as an additional legal basis for the SO of 14 January 2003.

De Beers submitted written observations in response to the Commission's SO's and an oral hearing was held on 7 July 2003. ALROSA participated at this oral hearing, as the oral hearing also addressed objections based on Article 81 which were separately addressed both to De Beers and ALROSA.

The Commission then received a complaint on 25 September 2003 against the Trade Agreement, alleging an infringement of Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty.

Change in the applicable law: Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 (in particular its Art. 9, which is being applied to the case)

As a result of the applicability as from 1 May 2004 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, the application made by De Beers and ALROSA lapsed but the procedural steps already taken continued to develop their effects for the purpose of applying Regulation (EC) No 1/2003.

On 14 December 2004, CWEL and DBCAG on one side, and ALROSA on the other, submitted commitment proposals to the Commission in response to the Commission's statements of objections, which were deemed to constitute a preliminary assessment within the meaning of Art. 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003.

On 3 June 2005, the Commission published a notice according to Article 27(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Notice informed the public of the Commission's perceived competition concerns, the corresponding remedies, and invited interested parties to submit comments by 4 July 2005 (‘the market test’) (2).

In response to the Notice, the Commission received 21 observations from interested third parties. The effectiveness of the commitments proposed by De Beers and ALROSA in addressing the Commission's concerns was not fully confirmed. On 27 October 2005 the Commission informed De Beers and ALROSA of these observations and handed over a non-confidential summary. On 25 January 2006 De Beers submitted an amended commitment proposal. The Commission has now come to the conclusion that, in view of the commitments proposed by De Beers in response to the preliminary assessment and as later amended to take account of the relevant observations by interested third parties, and without prejudice to Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, there are no longer grounds for action.

Application of the principle of equality of arms (3) in this case. Decision under Article 9, Regulation (EC) No 1/2003

Towards De Beers

The essence of the principle of equality of arms is that both the Parties in a case and the Commission, as a body whose Decisions are appealable to the EU Courts, should have the same knowledge of the administrative file.

In a Decision under Art. 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003, violation of the competition rules is not established, but the Parties accept to remedy the concerns expressed by the Commission in a preliminary assessment.

There is in this process a willingness on both sides to simplify the administrative and legal requirements which are inherent in a full investigation of a suspected infringement.

This is the reason why in two Decisions taken already by the College (4), it has been accepted that due process is satisfied when the Parties inform the Commission that they have received sufficient access to the information that was necessary for them to propose commitments in order to meet the concerns expressed by the Commission.

This case has also been dealt with in the same manner, De Beers having submitted on 19 January 2006 a Declaration to the Commission to this effect after having received the results of the market test.

Towards ALROSA

ALROSA has raised a specific procedural question by letter of 6 December 2005, in which ALROSA requested to have ‘[...] access to file in this matter, in particular in respect to the third parties comments following the market test, whether pursuant to the current Article 9 procedure and/or pursuant to the statement of objections or the existing Article 7 procedure’.

ALROSA has not received a Statement of Objections in these proceedings under Art. 82, is not a party to these proceedings and therefore does not benefit from a right to be heard equivalent to the one granted to the parties pursuant to Article 27(1) Regulation (EC) No 1/2003.

One has to consider that, due to the very particular features of this case, ALROSA is in fact the only undertaking directly and individually affected by part of the commitments proposed by De Beers.

ALROSA was therefore informed of the essence of De Beers' amended commitment proposal insofar as it referred to them and was allowed to comment by 2 February 2006.

By letter of 30 January 2006, ALROSA requested an extension of the time-period to respond, to which I partially agreed. Therefore ALROSA's reply was expected to reach the Commission on 6 February 2006, which it did.

By letter of 6 February 2006, ALROSA expressed their views on the results of the market test. In this letter, ALROSA took the view that their rights of defence had been infringed because the Commission had not stipulated which objections it considered were warranted before accepting the commitments, and claimed that they did not know precisely which objections justified the commitments.

I replied on 8 February 2006, expressing the view that ALROSA was not a party to the proceedings conducted against De Beers under Article 9 Regulation (EC) No 1/2003. It was in particular in view of the exceptional circumstances of this case that they had been afforded a right to be heard, to the extent that they were directly and individually affected by the commitments. Furthermore, I expressed the view that in view of the information provided to ALROSA in the course of the proceedings, the company could not claim to be ignorant of the competitive concerns on which the commitments have been based.

In the light of the above, I consider that the rights to be heard of De Beers and ALROSA have been respected.

Brussels, 10 February 2006

Serge DURANDE

---

(1)  As well as to ALROSA, to which an SO under Article 81 EC had been addressed.

1

(2)  OJ C 289, 26.11.2004, p. 10.

2

(3)  Cf. CFI, 29.06.95, case T-30/91 (‘Solvay’).

3

(4)  Cf. decision of 22.06.2005 COMP/39.116 — Coca-Cola and decision of 19.01.2005 COMP/37.214 – DFB.

4

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| 27.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 175/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 175/7

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4295 — Endesa/Foster Wheeler)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 175/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 17 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Endesa Europa S.L. (‘Endesa’, Spain) and Foster Wheeler Italiana S.p.A. (‘FWI’, Italy) belonging to Foster Wheeler Ltd. group acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertakings Centro Energia Ferrara S.p.A. (‘CEF’, Italy) and Centro Energia Teverola S.p.A. (‘CET’, Italy) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 17 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Endesa Europa S.L. (‘Endesa’, Spain) and Foster Wheeler Italiana S.p.A. (‘FWI’, Italy) belonging to Foster Wheeler Ltd. group acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertakings Centro Energia Ferrara S.p.A. (‘CEF’, Italy) and Centro Energia Teverola S.p.A. (‘CET’, Italy) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for Endesa: production and commercialisation of energy; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Endesa: production and commercialisation of energy;

| — | for FWI: engineering, construction and power generation equipment; |
| --- | --- |

—

for FWI: engineering, construction and power generation equipment;

| — | for CEF: electricity generation; |
| --- | --- |

—

for CEF: electricity generation;

| — | for CET: electricity generation. |
| --- | --- |

—

for CET: electricity generation.

| 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 (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4295 — Endesa/Foster Wheeler, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

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 (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4295 — Endesa/Foster Wheeler, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

---

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

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

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| 27.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 175/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 175/8

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(2006/C 175/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| Aid No | XS 31/2001 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | Puglia |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Aid to SMEs for ‘Increasing the competitiveness of firms’ |
| Legal basis | Legge Regionale 4 gennaio 2001 n. 3/01 modificata dalla Legge Regionale n. 23/01 |
| Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company | Calendar year | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| Amount in €m | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Maximum aid intensity | The maximum aid intensity for Puglia according to the European regional aid map (35% nge + 15% gge) |
| Date of implementation | 12 September 2001 (date on which the aid schemes were notified to the Commission) |
| Duration of scheme or individual aid award | Until 31 December 2006 |
| Objective of aid | The aid helps firms via capital grants to acquire the back-up services to improve their ‘internationalisation’ and competitiveness. It is also intended for the acquisition of back-up services connected with the environment and quality and for the dissemination of new technology. The following types of costs are eligible for aid:






  — | Market analysis; |

Aid No

XS 31/2001

Member State

Italy

Region

Puglia

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Aid to SMEs for ‘Increasing the competitiveness of firms’

Legal basis

Legge Regionale 4 gennaio 2001 n. 3/01 modificata dalla Legge Regionale n. 23/01

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Calendar year

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Amount in €m

12

12

12

12

12

12

Maximum aid intensity

The maximum aid intensity for Puglia according to the European regional aid map (35% nge + 15% gge)

Date of implementation

12 September 2001 (date on which the aid schemes were notified to the Commission)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31 December 2006

Objective of aid

The aid helps firms via capital grants to acquire the back-up services to improve their ‘internationalisation’ and competitiveness. It is also intended for the acquisition of back-up services connected with the environment and quality and for the dissemination of new technology. The following types of costs are eligible for aid:

—

Market analysis;

| — | Business certification systems; |
| --- | --- |

—

Business certification systems;

| — | Systems of checks and controls (Eco and Energy Audit); |
| --- | --- |

—

Systems of checks and controls (Eco and Energy Audit);

| — | Creation of collective brands; |
| --- | --- |

—

Creation of collective brands;

| — | Marketing actions; |
| --- | --- |

—

Marketing actions;

| — | Promotional measures for ‘internationalisation’ of products |
| --- | --- |

—

Promotional measures for ‘internationalisation’ of products

Economic sectors concerned

The aid is intended for SMEs operating in the craft sector, industry, tourism, the distributive trades and services. The following economic activities are excluded:

| — | Steel; |
| --- | --- |

—

Steel;

| — | Shipbuilding; |
| --- | --- |

—

Shipbuilding;

| — | Fisheries; |
| --- | --- |

—

Fisheries;

| — | Transport; |
| --- | --- |

—

Transport;

| — | Agriculture; |
| --- | --- |

—

Agriculture;

| — | Activities linked to the production, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty. (see Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2000); |
| --- | --- |

—

Activities linked to the production, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty. (see Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2000);

| — | Export-related activities (see Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001); |
| --- | --- |

—

Export-related activities (see Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001);

| — | Manufacture of man-made fibres |
| --- | --- |

—

Manufacture of man-made fibres

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Regione Puglia

Address:

| Via G. Capruzzi, 212 |
| --- |
| I-Bari |

Via G. Capruzzi, 212

I-Bari

Other information

This aid scheme does not apply to services that are continuous or connected with the normal day-to-day operating expenditure of the firm. In any case the three-year expenditure eligible for aid must not exceed EUR 100 000.

The aid will be granted via automatic procedure

| Aid No | XS 16/05 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Hungary |
| Region | Entire country |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid | Under the invitation to tender entitled Establishment of Mobile Communication R&D and Innovation Centre, the following activities are eligible for aid: ‘aid for the protection of intellectual property (registration of patents, models, trade marks and designs) except in the case of large enterprises’ |
| Legal basis | A Kutatási és Technológiai Innovációs Alapról szóló 2003. évi XC. törvény |
| Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company | Annual expenditure on aid for the protection of intellectual property (registration for patents, models, trade marks and designs) is expected to amount to HUF 16 million |
| Maximum aid intensity | For fundamental research 100%, for applied research 60% and for precompetitive development 35% |
| Date of implementation | 19.12.2004 |
| Duration of the scheme or individual aid award | June 2006 (payment instalments until December 2008) |
| Objective of aid | Extension of the scope of R&D aid to include expenditure relating to intellectual property protection (registration of patents, models, trade marks and designs) |
| Economic sectors concerned | All sectors |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Name:
  Nemzeti Kutatási és Technológiai Hivatal |
| Address:





  Szervita tér 8 |
| 1052 Budapest |

Aid No

XS 16/05

Member State

Hungary

Region

Entire country

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Under the invitation to tender entitled Establishment of Mobile Communication R&D and Innovation Centre, the following activities are eligible for aid: ‘aid for the protection of intellectual property (registration of patents, models, trade marks and designs) except in the case of large enterprises’

Legal basis

A Kutatási és Technológiai Innovációs Alapról szóló 2003. évi XC. törvény

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Annual expenditure on aid for the protection of intellectual property (registration for patents, models, trade marks and designs) is expected to amount to HUF 16 million

Maximum aid intensity

For fundamental research 100%, for applied research 60% and for precompetitive development 35%

Date of implementation

19.12.2004

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award

June 2006 (payment instalments until December 2008)

Objective of aid

Extension of the scope of R&D aid to include expenditure relating to intellectual property protection (registration of patents, models, trade marks and designs)

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Nemzeti Kutatási és Technológiai Hivatal

Address:

Szervita tér 8

1052 Budapest

| Aid No | XS 61/04 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | Autonomous Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid Regional Economic Development Plan: | Incentives for SMEs in respect of multiannual programmes for sales promotion abroad |
| Legal basis | — | L.R. 20.1.1992, n. 2, Capo VIII come sostituito dalla L.R. 5.12.2003, n. 18, art. 5 |

Aid No

XS 61/04

Member State

Italy

Region

Autonomous Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid Regional Economic Development Plan:

Incentives for SMEs in respect of multiannual programmes for sales promotion abroad

Legal basis

—

L.R. 20.1.1992, n. 2, Capo VIII come sostituito dalla L.R. 5.12.2003, n. 18, art. 5

| — | D.P.R. n. 055/Pres. del 5.3.2004 |
| --- | --- |

—

D.P.R. n. 055/Pres. del 5.3.2004

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount EUR 1,9 million

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

From 8.4.2004

(the day following publication in Regional Gazette No 14 of 7.4.2004)

It should be pointed out that the measure has not yet been implemented and that the planned assistance will not be granted before the publication in the Regional Gazette in the form of lists under Article 8 of Presidential Decree No 55/2004. These lists will be drawn up — presumably not before September 2004 — on the basis of requests made to the competent offices not later than 7.6.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

31.12.2004

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs in the industrial and industry services sector for the implementation of pluriannual programmes of promotion abroad

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Regione Autonoma Friuli — Venezia Giulia

Direzione Centrale delle Attività Produttive

Servizio per la Promozione e l'Internazionalizzazione

Address:

| Via Uccellis, 12/F |
| --- |
| I-33100 Udine |
| Tel: (0432) 55 59 55 |
| Fax: (0432) 55 59 52 |
| e-mail: serv.prom.int@regione.fvg.it |

Via Uccellis, 12/F

I-33100 Udine

Tel: (0432) 55 59 55

Fax: (0432) 55 59 52

e-mail: serv.prom.int@regione.fvg.it

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation. The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid,

| a) | if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 million and






  — | the gross aid intensity is at least 50%, |
| --- | --- | --- |

a)

if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 million and

—

the gross aid intensity is at least 50%,

| — | in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50%; or |
| --- | --- |

—

in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50%; or

| b) | if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 million |
| --- | --- |

b)

if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 million

No

Note

From 1 January 2005 the regional authorities undertake to adapt the rules in question to the new definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises given in Commission Recommendation No 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003

| Aid Number | XS 158/05 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | United Kingdom |
| Region | North East of England |
| Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid | Cells Analysis Ltd |
| Legal basis | The University of Durham and Newcastle Act (1963) |
| Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company | Aid scheme | Annual overall amount | |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Individual aid | Overall aid amount
  ERDF Grant
  1257/201/020LCY | £ 10 936 |
| Loans guaranteed | |
| Maximum aid intensity | In conformity with Article 4(2)-(6) and Article 5 of the Regulation | Yes | |
| Date of implementation | From 22/ August/2005 |
| Duration of scheme or individual aid award | Until 31/December/ 2005 |
| Objective of aid | Aid to SME | Yes | |
| Economic sectors concerned | All sectors eligible for aid to SME | Yes |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Name:
  Government Office for the North East
  European Programmes Secretariat |
| Address:





  Citygate |
| Newcastle upon Tyne |
| NE1 4WH |

Aid Number

XS 158/05

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

North East of England

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid

Cells Analysis Ltd

Legal basis

The University of Durham and Newcastle Act (1963)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

ERDF Grant

1257/201/020LCY

£ 10 936

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(6) and Article 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

From 22/ August/2005

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31/December/ 2005

Objective of aid

Aid to SME

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SME

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Government Office for the North East

European Programmes Secretariat

Address:

Citygate

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4WH

Sponsor Contact

| Professor Ken Snowdon |
| --- |
| University of Newcastle (INEX) |
| Herschel Annex |
| Newcastle upon Tyne |
| NE1 7RU |

Professor Ken Snowdon

University of Newcastle (INEX)

Herschel Annex

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 7RU

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation. The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid,

| a) | if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 000 000 and






  — | the gross aid intensity is at least 50%, |
| --- | --- | --- |

a)

if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 000 000 and

—

the gross aid intensity is at least 50%,

| — | in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50%; or |
| --- | --- |

—

in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50%; or

| b) | if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 000 000 |
| --- | --- |

b)

if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 000 000

Yes

---

III Notices

Commission

| 27.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 175/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 175/12

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Call for proposals for modal shift, catalyst and common learning actions under the Marco Polo Programme (Council and Parliament Regulation (EC) No 1382/2003 of 22 July 2003, OJ L 196 of 2.8.2003, p. 1)

(2006/C 175/07)

The European Commission is hereby launching a call for proposals for the selection procedure 2006 under the Marco Polo programme. The call is closing on 11.10.2006.

Information on the modalities of the call and guidance to proposers on how to submit projects, is available at the following Website:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/marcopolo/guide_proposers/index_en.htm

The helpdesk of the Marco Polo Programme can be reached via e-mail: tren-marco-polo@ec.europa.eu and fax: (32-2) 296 37 65.

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