62022TO0460_INF
Order of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 18 October 2023 –Somniare and Others v Commission (Madeira Free Zone)
(Cases T‑460/22, T‑461/22, T‑464/22, T‑550/22, T‑551/22 and T‑553/22) (
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)
(State aid – Madeira Free Zone – Aid scheme implemented by Portugal – Decision finding that the scheme does not comply with Decisions C(2007) 3037 final and C(2013) 4043 final, declaring it to be incompatible with the internal market, and ordering the recovery of aid paid under that scheme – Obligation to state reasons – Concept of ‘existing aid’ within the meaning of Article 1(b)(ii) of Regulation (EU) 2015/1589 – Reasonable time – Recovery – Legitimate expectations – Legal certainty – Right to a fair hearing – Action manifestly lacking any foundation in law)
1.
Acts of the institutions – Statement of reasons – Obligation – Scope – Commission decision on State aid – Decision finding implementation of an aid scheme to be in breach of the conditions laid down in the approval decision – Decision containing the information necessary to enable its addressee to ascertain the reasons for its adoption – Sufficient statement of reasons
(Art. 108(2) and (3), and Art. 296, second para., TFEU)
(see paragraphs 29-49)
2.
Aid granted by a Member State – Existing aid and new aid – Measure amending an existing aid scheme – Implementation of the scheme in breach of the conditions laid down in the Commission’s approval decision – Alteration affecting the substance of the scheme – Classification as new aid
(Art. 108(3) TFEU; Council Regulation 2015/1589, Art. 1(c); Commission Notice 2006/C 54/08, points 6 and 76)
(see paragraphs 53, 54, 65-84, 87-99)
3.
Aid granted by a Member State – Administrative procedure – Obligations of the Commission – Duty to act within a reasonable time – Decision adopted in the context of the monitoring of a previously approved aid scheme because of the excessive duration of the procedure – Harm to the rights of defence of the undertakings concerned – Undertakings in receipt of the aid unable to rely on that harm in an action for annulment – Recipient undertakings able to bring an action for damages – No ability to rely on the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights
(Art. 108(2) TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 41, second para.)
(see paragraphs 107-111)
4.
Aid granted by a Member State – Formal investigation procedure – No obligation for the decision initiating that procedure to be accompanied by an order suspending the measure at issue
(Art. 4(3) TEU; Art. 108(2) TFEU; Council Regulation 2015/1589, Art. 13(2))
(see paragraphs 113, 114, 132)
5.
Aid granted by a Member State – Recovery of unlawful aid – Aid granted in breach of the procedural rules of Article 108 TFEU – Legitimate expectations entertained by the recipients – None save in exceptional circumstances – Assurances offered by the national authorities not arising from the Commission’s conduct – No legitimate expectations
(Art. 108(2) and (3) TFEU; Council Regulation 2015/1589, Art. 16)
(see paragraphs 123-142)
6.
Aid granted by a Member State – Recovery of unlawful and incompatible aid – No breach of the principle of legal certainty
(Art. 107 TFEU; Council Regulation 2015/1589, Art. 16(1)
(see paragraphs 146-166)
7.
Aid granted by a Member State – Recovery of unlawful aid – Application of national law – Domestic measures for recovery of aid that has been declared unlawful – Exclusive jurisdiction of the national courts – National courts entitled to request the Court of Justice to give preliminary rulings – No breach of the principle of legal protection
(Arts 263 and 267 TFEU; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47)
(see paragraphs 169-172)
Operative part
1.
Cases T‑460/22, T‑461/22, T‑464/22, T‑550/22, T‑551/22 and T‑553/22 are joined for the purposes of the present order.
2.
The actions are dismissed as manifestly lacking any foundation in law.
3.
Somniare, Unipessoal, Lda, Stratsirius, Unipessoal, Lda, Horizon Industry Solutions SA, Sapateia SA, Augustea Oceanbulk Maritime Malta ltd. and Thorn Investments LTD shall pay the costs.
(
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)	OJ C 368, 26.9.2022.