62022TJ0468_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 18 October 2023 –EIB v Syria
(Case T‑468/22) (
1
)
(Arbitration clause – Loan agreement concerning a project for the reinforcement of the electricity transmission system in a third country – Non-performance of the agreement – Repayment of the sums advanced – Default interest – Procedure by default)
1.
Judicial proceedings – Action before the General Court – Application of the default procedure – Obligation of the Court to rule on the applicant’s pleas – Conditions – Failure of the defendant to respond within the prescribed time limit
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 123(1))
(see paragraphs 16-19, 24, 35, 40, 41)
2.
Judicial proceedings – General Court seised under an arbitration clause – Loan agreement concluded between the European Investment Bank and Syria – Jurisdiction of the General Court defined by Articles 256 and 272 TFEU and the arbitration clause
(Arts 256(1) and 272 TFEU)
(see paragraphs 20, 22, 23)
3.
Judicial proceedings – General Court seised under an arbitration clause – Loan agreement concluded between the European Investment Bank and Syria – Breach by Syria of its contractual obligations – Subrogation of the European Union to the rights of the bank – Action brought by the Bank on behalf of the European Union – Admissibility
(Arts 256(1) and 272 TFEU; Rome Convention of 19 June 1980, Art. 13(1))
(see paragraphs 26, 27, 29-34)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Orders the Syrian Arab Republic to repay the European Union, represented by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the sums of EUR 22 856 655.23 and 1 984 763.43 Swiss francs (CHF) representing the principal amounts and the contractual and default interest due on 30 June 2022;
2.
Declares that the sums of EUR 18 655 393.62 and CHF 1 716 822.98 comprising the principal amounts are to bear default interest, in accordance with the method laid down in Article 3.02 of Loan Agreement No 20868 concerning a project for the reinforcement of the electricity transmission system in Syria, entered into by the EIB and the Syrian Arab Republic on 14 December 2000 and amended on 20 December 2004, from 30 June 2022 until the date that payment is made;
3.
Orders the Syrian Arab Republic to pay the costs.
(
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)	OJ C 359, 19.9.2022.