Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2002/C 98/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision: 3.5.2001

Member State: Netherlands

Aid No: N 131/01

Title: Aid scheme to promote technological cooperation under the Cluster programme 2000-2005

Objective: Regional scheme to stimulate R & D efforts by SMEs, collaboration between enterprises and public research institutes

Legal basis: - Enkelvoudig Programmeringsdocument Zuid-Nederland 2000-2006

- Enkelvoudig Programmeringsdocument Stedelijke gebieden Nederland 2000-2006

Budget: NLG 13,6 million (EUR 6,2 million)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 45 % of eligible costs, subject to a ceiling of NLG 1,2 million

Duration: Five years

Other information: Annual report

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 27.2.2002

Member State: Spain (Valencia)

Aid No: N 141/01

Title: Employment and investment aid scheme

Objective: Various measures complying with the different regional ceilings, the training and SME exemption regulations and the guidelines on employment aid

Legal basis: Orden de 29 de diciembre de 2000, de la Conselleria de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras para la concesión de las ayudas destinadas al fomento de la economía social (2001/F437), Orden de 29 de diciembre de 2000, de la Conselleria de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras para la concesión de subvenciones de fomento del empleo dirigido a emprendedores (2001/X440), Orden de 29 de diciembre de 2000 de la Conselleria de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras de concesión de subvenciones de los programas de fomento de empleo estable y otras medidas de apoyo a la contratación estable (2001/M435)

Budget: EUR 192,10 million

Aid intensity or amount: The scheme features a wide range of aid measures that comply with the ceilings laid down in the guidelines on national regional aid (OJ 98/C 74/06), in Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 on aid to SMEs, in Regualtion (EC) No 68/2001 on training aid and in the guidelines on employment aid (OJ C 334, 12.12.1995)

Duration: Until 31.12.2006

Other information: Annual report

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 13.9.2001

Member State: Austria

Aid No: N 212/01

Title: Guarantees in reform countries

Objective: To support investments by and restructuring of SMEs in tourism (SMEs in tourism and entertainment)

Legal basis: Bundesgesetz über besondere Förderung von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen i. V. m. Richtlinien des Bundesministeriums für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten für die TOP-Tourismus-Förderung 2000-2006

Budget: ATS 196 million (approximately EUR 14 million) per year

Aid intensity or amount: Investment aid:

- in non-assisted areas: maximum 7,5/15 % respectively to medium and small enterprises

- in areas eligible for regional aid: according to regional aid map plus SME bonus

Consulting and training: 50 %

Rescue and restructuring aid: Intensity not calculable

Duration: Until 31 December 2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 21.1.2002

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 262/01

Title: R & D programme "Innovative work processes"

Objective: To support R & D projects for developing better ways of organising the workplace

Legal basis: Entscheidung der Bundesregierung und jährliches Haushaltsgesetz (Einzelplan 30, Kapitel 3006, Titel 683 04)

Budget: On average EUR 41 million per year, of which roughly 40 % is deemed as aid to enterprises and 60 % as financing of public research by public research institutes

Aid intensity or amount: For fundamental research: maximum 100 %; for industrial research: maximum 50 %; for precompetitive development: maximum 25 %; plus bonuses where appropriate; altogether, including bonues, not exceeding 75 % for industrial research and 50 % for precompetitive development

Duration: Until 31 December 2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 11.12.2001

Member State: Greece

Aid No: N 323/01

Title: Aid for investment in sustainable energy

Objective: Environmental aid and regional aid

Budget: EUR 353 million for the period 2001-2006

Aid intensity or amount: Energy projects qualifying for regional aid: Regional aid intensities (48,1 % nge, 45,5 % nge or 40 % nge depending on the region concerned + 15 % gge for SMEs)

Energy project not qualifying for regional aid:

- renewable energy: 100 % of eligible costs

- conversion to natural gas: 40 % gge (50 % gge for SMEs)

- energy saving and CHP: regional aid intensities + 10 % gge

Duration: 2001-2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 15.1.2002

Member State: Austria (Burgenland)

Aid No: N 689/2000

Title: Programme to assist tourism

Objective: Regional development

Legal basis: Richtlinien über die Schwerpunktförderung der Tourismuswirtschaft gemäß dem Landeswirtschaftsförderungsgesetz 1994 - WiföG

Budget: EUR 10900925 per year

Aid intensity or amount: Investment aid in the form of grants and guarantees, up to the regional ceiling of 30 %-35 % (net) plus 15 percentage points (gross) for SMEs

Duration: Until 31 December 2006

Other information: Annual report

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.2.2002

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 694/01

Title: German Federal framework programme for R & D in optical technologies

Objective: Promote research and development projects in the field of optical technologies

Legal basis: Haushaltsgesetz, Einzelplan 30, Kapitel 3006, Titel 68330 und 68331 in Verbindung mit den Richtlinien für die Projektförderung

Budget: EUR 279,5 million

Aid intensity or amount: In accordance with "Community framework for State aid for research and development"

Duration: Until 28 February 2007

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 25.2.2002

Member State: Belgium (Flanders)

Aid No: N 714/2000

Title: Investment aid for medium-sized firms (Decree on Economic Expansion of 15.12.1993, Flanders)

Objective: SME aid

Legal basis: Decreet van 15 december 1993 betreffende de economische expansie

Budget: Average annual budget: approximately EUR 92,5 million (BEF 3700 million)

Aid intensity or amount: 7,5 % gge for medium-sized enterprises

Duration: The scheme expires on 31 December 2003

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 21.1.2002

Member State: United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

Aid No: N 717/A/01

Title: Restructuring aid (Northern Ireland)

Objective: Rescue and restructuring aid

Legal basis: The Industrial Development (Northern Ireland) Order 1982

Restructuring aid operating guidelines (detailed conditions for the granting of aid)

Budget: GBP 5 million (approximately EUR 8 million) per year

Duration: Indefinite

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.3.2002

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 725/01

Title: R & D project "Optimisation of the development and production of small and medium-sized special ships in order to reduce costs by 30 %", by Peene-Werft GmbH

Objective: Shipbuilding. To solve specific ship construction problems, with the emphasis on finding new ways of optimising turnaround times and costs by better integrating external suppliers and service providers into the shipyards' design and manufacturing processes

Legal basis: Scheme "Schifffahrt und Meerestechnik für das 21. Jahrhundert" (N 156/2000) approved by the Commission on 15 November 2000

Budget: EUR 1570490,28

Aid intensity or amount: 50 %

Duration: Three years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 21.12.2001

Member State: Greece

Aid No: N 760/2000

Title: Programme for the promotion of R & D in recently created enterprises (PAVE-NE)

Objective: Research and development

Legal basis: ΠΔ 274/2000, "Όροι, προϋποθέσεις και διαδικασία χρηματοδότησης (επιχορήγησης ή συνδρομής) έργων και προγραμμάτων που υποβάλλονται από βιομηχανικές ή άλλες παραγωγικές μονάδες" (ΕτΚ 225-17.10.2000)

Budget: EUR 25000000 for the period 2001-2006

Aid intensity or amount: Industrial research projects: 60 % gge of the eligible costs

Precompetitive development activities: 35 % gge of the eligible cost in the case of large enterprises and 45 % gge in the cases of SMEs

Duration: 2001-2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.3.2002

Member State: Finland

Aid No: N 770/01

Title: Aid in favour of a composting plant in Åland

Objective: Investment aid

Legal basis: Självstyrelselagen för Åland (FFS 1144/91)

Ahvenanmaan itsehallintolaki

Aid intensity or amount: 30,15 % gross

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.3.2002

Member State: Finland

Aid No: N 801/01

Title: Subsidy to passenger vessels

Objective: The proposal aims to improve the competitiveness of passenger vessels under the Finnish flag engaged in international transport and calling regularly at Finnish ports. This essentially to avoid the need for outflagging of such ships to EU and non-EU countries and to preserve employment of EC seafarers

Legal basis: Amendment to the "Foreign Merchand Shipping Registry Act"

Laki ulkomaanliikenteen kauppa-alusluettelosta annetun lain (1707/91, muut. 1611/92, 295/1995, 1301/1999 ja 922/2000) 1 ja 4 §:n muuttamisesta

Lag om ändring av 1 och 4 §§ lagen om en förteckning över handelsfartyg i utrikesfart (1707/91, ändrad, 1611/92, 295/1995, 1301/1999 och 922/2000)

Budget: Approximately EUR 28 million (FIM 166 million) per year

Aid intensity or amount: The cost item referred to above (97 % of withholding tax) to be refunded to the employer is estimated to comprise just under 20 % of the manning costs of a vessel

Duration: Applicable as from 1 January 2002 (subject to Commission decision) and open ended in time

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 6.11.2001

Member State: Germany (Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)

Aid No: N 814/2000

Title: Programme of the Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for the promotion of technology and innovation

Objective: Furthering research and development activities, recruitment of highly qualified staff and promotion of SMEs

Legal basis: § 44 Absatz 1 der Haushaltsordnung des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Budget: 2001: approximately EUR 13,7 million. The budget for the years 2002 and 2003 amounts to EUR 25 million each year (preliminary estimate)

Duration: The programme expires on 31 December 2003

Other information: Germany has to submit an annual report on the implementation of the scheme

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.3.2002

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: N 854/01

Title: Aid to airlines for closure of airspace

Objective: To compensate for the losses encountered by British licensed airlines as a consequence of the closure of certain parties of the airspace between 11 and 14 September 2001

Legal basis: Appropriation Act

Budget: GBP 40 million (approximately EUR 65 million)

Duration: One-time payment in 2002

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 13.2.2002

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: NN 170/01

Title: Aid towards the rescue of Railtrack plc in administration

Objective: To rescue the business of Railtrack plc in administration and to ensure the continued safe operation of the rail infrastructure pending the transfer, as a going concern, of Railtrack plc's relevant rail activities to a successor

Legal basis: The Railway Act 1993

Budget: GBP 3,57 billion plus GBP 1,85 billion (EUR 5,78 billion + EUR 3,0 billion)

Duration: Six plus six months

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids