62017TJ0786_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 19 September 2019 –BTC v Commission
(Case T‑786/17)
(Arbitration clause — Grant agreement entered into in the context of the eTEN framework programme, relating to trans-European telecommunications networks — ‘SafeChemo’ project — Investigation report from OLAF finding certain expenses incurred to be ineligible — Repayment in part of the sums paid — Counterclaim)
1.
Action for annulment — Actionable measures — Meaning — Measures producing binding legal effects — Action relating in reality to a contractual dispute — Annulment of a debit note issued by the Commission — Lack of jurisdiction of the EU judicature — Inadmissibility
(Arts 263 and 272 TFEU)
(see paras 28-35)
2.
EU budget — EU financial assistance — Obligation on the beneficiary to comply with the conditions for grant of the assistance — Financing covering only expenses actually incurred — Demonstration that the costs have actually been incurred — Production of accounting documents in accordance with the technical conditions laid down for the granting of the subsidy concerned and capable of review in the context of an audit — None — Ineligible costs
(Art. 317 TFEU)
(see paras 77-80, 84, 85, 107)
3.
EU budget — EU financial assistance — Obligation on the beneficiary to comply with the conditions for grant of the assistance — Financing covering only expenses actually incurred — Proceedings brought by the Commission for recovery of advances made in the context of the assistance — Demand for recovery arising from stipulations of the agreements — Breach of principle of proportionality — None
(Art. 317 TFEU)
(see paras 95-100)
Re:
First, application under Article 263 TFEU seeking the annulment (i) of Commission Decision Ares(2017) 4709558 of 27 September 2017 demanding repayment of an amount paid to the applicant pursuant to Agreement C046311 for the financing of the ‘ePrescription and Automation for a Safe Management of Cytostatistics’ project, entered into in the context of the eTEN programme, relating to trans-European telecommunications networks, (ii) of the Commission’s letter Ares(2017) 4790311 of 2 October 2017 communicating Debit Note No 3241712708, and (iii) of Debit Note No 3241712708, and, second, application under Article 272 TFEU seeking a declaration that the Commission’s demand for repayment is unfounded and a counterclaim seeking an order against the applicant for repayment of an amount wrongfully paid under that agreement.
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action brought by BTC Srl;
2.
Orders BTC to pay the Commission the principal sum of EUR 380 989.49, plus default interest at the rate of 3.5% from 17 November 2017 until payment in full of that amount;
3.
Orders BTC to bear its own costs and to pay the costs incurred by the Commission.