ES Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea C 291/5

AYUDA ESTATAL — REINO UNIDO

Ayuda estatal no C 39/06 (ex NN 94/05)

Régimen de nuevos accionistas

Invitación a presentar observaciones en aplicación del artículo 88, apartado 2, del Tratado CE

(2006/C 291/04)

(Texto pertinente a efectos del EEE)

Por carta de 13 de septiembre de 2006, reproducida en la versión lingüística auténtica en las páginas siguientes al presente resumen, la Comisión notificó al Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte su decisión de incoar el procedimiento previsto en el artículo 88, apartado 2, del Tratado CE en relación con la ayuda antes citada.

Las partes interesadas podrán presentar sus observaciones al respecto en un plazo de un mes a partir de la fecha de publicación del presente resumen y de la carta siguiente, enviándolas a:

Comisión Europea Dirección General de Pesca DG FISH/D/3 «Aspectos jurídicos» B-1049 Bruselas Fax: (32-2) 295 19 42

Dichas observaciones serán comunicadas al Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte. La parte interesada que presente observaciones podrá solicitar por escrito, exponiendo los motivos de su solicitud, que su identidad sea tratada confidencialmente.

RESUMEN

En junio de 2004, la Comisión fue informada de una ayuda concedida por el Shetland Islands Council, autoridad pública de las islas Shetland del Reino Unido, al sector pesquero que podría constituir una ayuda estatal ilegal.

Al amparo de un régimen para nuevos accionistas, se concedieron subvenciones como contribución para igualar la contribución financiera propia para la compra de una participación en un buque pesquero existente o nuevo. Se concedía una ayuda del 50 % del coste de adquisición de la participación, con un máximo de 7 500 libras esterlinas en el caso de un buque existente, y de 15 000 en el caso de uno nuevo, con un máximo del 25 % del valor del buque, a personas de más de 18 años que no poseyeran aún ninguna participación en un buque pesquero. La ayuda se concedía a condición de que el buque se utilizara para pescar a tiempo completo durante los cinco años siguientes y de que el beneficiario mantuviera su participación en el buque durante un período de cinco años a partir de la recepción de la ayuda.

De conformidad con el artículo 88, apartado 3, del Tratado CE, los Estados miembros deben informar a la Comisión de los proyectos dirigidos a conceder o modificar ayudas. Según el Reino Unido, el régimen se aplicó desde 1982 hasta el 14 de enero de 2005. Sin embargo, el Reino Unido confirmó que este régimen nunca fue notificado a la Comisión, motivo por el cual la medida debe considerarse una nueva ayuda.

El Reglamento (CE) no 659/1999 del Consejo (1) no establece ningún plazo para el examen de una ayuda ilegal. No obstante, su artículo 15 prevé que las competencias de la Comisión en lo relativo a la recuperación de ayudas estén sujetas a un plazo de prescripción de diez años, que el plazo de prescripción se cuente a partir de la fecha en que se haya concedido la ayuda ilegal al beneficiario y que cualquier acción emprendida por la Comisión interrumpa el plazo de prescripción. En consecuencia, la Comisión considera que no es necesario en este caso examinar las ayudas concedidas más de diez años antes de que la Comisión adoptara alguna medida en relación con ellas. La Comisión considera que el plazo de prescripción quedó interrumpido por la solicitud de información que remitió al Reino Unido el 24 de agosto de 2004. Por lo tanto, el plazo de prescripción se aplica las ayudas concedidas a los beneficiarios antes del 24 de agosto de 1994 y la Comisión evalúa en lo que sigue solamente las ayudas otorgadas mediante decisiones adoptadas entre el 24 de agosto de 1994 y el 14 de enero de 2005. Según la información que obra en poder de la Comisión, parece que durante ese período se concedieron aproximadamente 8 millones de libras esterlinas al amparo de este régimen.

Parece que estas medidas constituyen una ayuda estatal en el sentido del artículo 87 del Tratado CE. Una ayuda estatal puede ser declarada compatible con el mercado común si responde a una de las excepciones previstas en dicho Tratado. Una ayuda estatal al sector de la pesca puede considerarse compatible con el mercado común si cumple las condiciones establecidas en las Directrices para el examen de las ayudas de Estado en el sector de la pesca y la acuicultura aplicables en el momento en que se concedió la ayuda (2).

En lo que se refiere a la ayuda concedida para la adquisición de una participación de un buque usado, según las Directrices de 1994, 1997 y 2001 la ayuda puede considerarse compatible con el mercado común cuando su objeto sea permitir que los pescadores adquieran la propiedad parcial de un buque o sustituyan un buque tras su pérdida total y el buque no tenga más de 20 años y pueda utilizarse durante al menos 10 años más. Las Directrices de 2004 son más estrictas y hacen referencia a las condiciones establecidas en el artículo 12, apartado 3, letra d), y apartado 4, letra f), del Reglamento (CE) no 2792/1999, que contiene exigencias adicionales en relación con la edad del beneficiario y la eslora total del buque. Según las Directrices de 1994 y 1997, el nivel total de las ayudas no debe sobrepasar el 30 % del coste efectivo del buque. Las de 2001 redujeron esta proporción al 20 %.

En esta fase del procedimiento, la ayuda concedida para la adquisición de una participación en un buque usado no parece ajustarse a las condiciones establecidas en las Directrices. Además, el régimen permite que las ayudas lleguen hasta un máximo del 25 % del coste efectivo del buque, lo que sería incompatible con las exigencias de las Directrices de 2001.

En lo que se refiere a la ayuda concedida para la adquisición de una participación en un buque nuevo, con arreglo al punto 2.2.3.1. de las Directrices de 1994 y 1997, las ayudas para la construcción de buques pesqueros nuevos pueden considerarse compatibles con el mercado común siempre que se ajusten a las condiciones aplicables del Reglamento (CE) no 3699/93. Los buques deben construirse de conformidad con los objetivos del programa de orientación plurianual (POP) y respetar los reglamentos y directivas de seguridad e higiene, así como las disposiciones comunitarias sobre medición de buques. Los buques deberán estar matriculados en el registro de la flota.

En las Directrices de 2001 se hace referencia a las condiciones establecidas en el Reglamento (CE) no 2792/1999, que indica que la nueva capacidad añadida debe compensarse con una retirada de capacidad sin ayuda pública que sea, como mínimo, igual a la nueva capacidad añadida en los segmentos de que se trate. Hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2001, cuando no se habían alcanzado aún los objetivos, la retirada de capacidad debía ser, como mínimo, superior en un 30 % a la nueva capacidad añadida. Otra condición es que la ayuda solo podrá concederse cuando el Estado miembro haya transmitido la información relativa a la aplicación del programa de orientación plurianual (POP) según exige el artículo 5 de dicho Reglamento y haya cumplido las obligaciones dimanantes del Reglamento (CEE) no 2930/86 por el que se definen las características de los barcos de pesca, aplicado los mecanismos del artículo 6 del Reglamento (CE) no 2792/1999 y cumplido los objetivos generales del POP.

Dado que el régimen no alude al nivel de referencia para el tamaño de la flota pesquera ni a los requisitos sobre higiene y seguridad, ni impone la obligación de que el buque esté matriculado en el registro de la flota, la Comisión alberga en este momento serias dudas en cuanto a la compatibilidad de las ayudas para la adquisición de una participación en un buque nuevo concedidas con posterioridad al 1 de julio de 2001.

A la vista de cuanto precede, la Comisión ha decidido no plantear objeciones al régimen en cuestión en lo que se refiere a las ayudas para la adquisición de una participación en un buque nuevo concedidas antes del 1 de julio de 2001. Sin embargo, en lo que se refiere a las ayudas concedidas al amparo del régimen para la adquisición de una participación en un buque nuevo concedidas después del 1 de julio de 2001 y a todas las ayudas concedidas para la adquisición de una participación en un buque de segunda mano, la Comisión alberga en este momento serias dudas en cuanto a su compatibilidad con el mercado común.

De conformidad con el artículo 14 del Reglamento (CE) no 659/1999 del Consejo, toda ayuda concedida ilegalmente podrá ser reclamada a su beneficiario.

TEXTO DE LA CARTA

«(1) The Commission wishes to inform the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that, having examined the information supplied by your authorities on the measure referred to above, it has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88 (2) of the EC Treaty. 1. PROCEDURE (2) By letter of 15 June 2004 the Commission was informed by a citizen of the UK of unlawful aid granted by the authorities of the Shetland Islands of the UK. By letters of 24 August 2004, 4 February, 11 May and 16 December 2005 the Commission has requested the UK authorities to provide information about these measures, to which the UK authorities responded by letters of 10 December 2004, 6 April, 8 September 2005 and 31 January 2006. 2. DESCRIPTION (3) The Shetland Islands Council (SIC), the public authority in Shetland, has made payments to the fisheries sector under the scope of two general aid measures named “Aid to the Fish Catching and Processing Industry” and “Aid to the Fish Farming Industry”, which actually consisted of several different types of aid schemes. One of these schemes is the so-called First time shareholders scheme. Under the First time shareholders scheme, which was applied from 1982 until 14 January 2005, grants could be given as contribution to matching own financial contribution for the purchase of a share in an existing or new fishing vessel. Aid was only granted to persons over 18 years old that did not yet own a share in a fishing vessel. (4) Aid was granted for 50 % of the acquisition costs of the share, with a maximum of GBP 7 500 in case of an existing vessel and GBP 15 000 in case of a new vessel. The other 50 % may only be financed by the beneficiaries own contribution, derived either from his own savings or from any interest-free family loan. The amount of aid may never exceed 25 % of the value of the vessel. (5) The aid was granted under the condition that the vessel is used for full time fishing for the next 5 years and that the beneficiary retained his share in the vessel for a period of five years from receipt of the aid. 3. COMMENTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM (6) The United Kingdom states that the aid measures concerned have already been applied already before the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community. The United Kingdom is however not able to provide any evidence of the existence of these measures at the time of accession. (7) The United Kingdom confirms that the aid measures have been changed over the years and that these changes have not been notified to the Commission in accordance with Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty (former Article 93(3)). The United Kingdom states however that the expenditure and application of the measures have been reported yearly to the Commission by way of the annual State aid inventory and that the officials responsible for the aids believed that by transmitting the annual reports no notification of the aid would be necessary. (8) Finally the United Kingdom states that where the measures and the amendments to the schemes might have been applied without prior notification to the Commission, they were applied in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Guidelines for the examination of State aid to fisheries and aquaculture applicable at the time aid was granted under the measures. (9) In addition, with regard to the First time shareholder scheme the United Kingdom states that the scheme was in operation until 14 January 2005, but that actually no assistance has been awarded during the financial years 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 as there were no applications. Furthermore, they state that they consider the aid to have been compatible with Guidelines for the examination of State aid to fisheries and aquaculture applicable at the times concerned. 4. ASSESSMENT (10) It must be determined first if the scheme can be regarded as State aid and if this is the case, if this aid is compatible with the common market. (11) Aid has been granted to a limited number of companies within the fisheries sector and is thus of a selective nature. The aids have been granted by the Shetland Islands Council, the public authority of Shetland, from State resources and are in the benefit of these companies which are in direct competition with other companies in the fisheries sector of both within the United Kingdom as well as in other Member States. Therefore, the measures distort or threaten to distort competition and appear to be State aid in the sense of Article 87 of the EC Treaty. 4.1. Legality (12) According to the United Kingdom, the two general schemes have been applied before the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community. However, the Commission notes that according to the provided information, the First time shareholders scheme was put in place only 1982. In any event, due to the absence of past records, the United Kingdom acknowledged that it is not able to provide evidence that the aid measures existed already before the United Kingdom joined the union and thus would have to be regarded as existing aids. In addition, the United Kingdom confirmed that the aid schemes have been changed over the years and that these changes have not been notified to the Commission in accordance with Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty (former Article 93(3)). As a result, the aid measures have to be considered as new aid. (13) The Commission regrets that the United Kingdom did not respect Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty, under which Member State are obliged to inform the Commission of any plans to grant or alter aid. In this respect the United Kingdom has stated that its authorities were mistakenly convinced that the inclusion of the measures into the annual State aid inventory, yearly submitted to the Commission, would be sufficient to inform the Commission of the aid in question. It must be noted however that such reporting to the Commission can not be considered as notification of the aid as required under Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty. 4.2. Basis for the assessment (14) Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (3) does not lay down any limitation period for the examination of unlawful aid within the meaning of Article 1(f) thereof, i.e. aid implemented before the Commission is able to reach a conclusion about its compatibility with the common market. However, Article 15 of that Regulation stipulates that the powers of the Commission to recover aid is subject to a limitation period of ten years, that the limitation period begins on the day on which the aid is awarded to the beneficiary and that that limitation period is interrupted by any action taken by the Commission. Consequently, the Commission considers that it is not necessary in this case to examine the aid covered by the limitation period, i.e. aid granted more than ten years before any measure taken by the Commission concerning it. (15) The Commission considers that in this case the limitation period was interrupted by its request for information sent to the United Kingdom on 24 August 2004. Accordingly, the limitation period applies to aid granted to beneficiaries before 24 August 1994. Consequently, the Commission will asses below only the aid granted by decisions taken between 24 August 1994 and January 2005. It seems that during that time approximately GBP 8 000 000 have been granted under the scheme. (16) State aid can be declared compatible with the common market if it complies with one of the exceptions foreseen in the EC Treaty. As regards the State aid to the fisheries sector, State aid measures are deemed to be compatible with the common market if they comply with the conditions of Guidelines for the examination of State aid to fisheries and aquaculture. According to point 5.3 of the current Guidelines (4) an “unlawful aid” within the meaning of Article 1(f) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 will be appraised in accordance with the guidelines applicable at the time when the administrative act setting up the aid has entered into force. The aid is thus to be assessed on the compatibility with the Guidelines of 1994, 1997 and 2001 (5). 4.3. Used vessels 4.3.1. Guidelines of 1994, 1997 and 2001 (17) With regard to aid for the acquisition of a share in a second hand vessel, according to point 2.2.3.3 of the 1994, 1997 and 2001 Guidelines, such aid may be deemed compatible with the common market when the vessel can be used for at least another 10 years. Under the 1994, 1997 Guidelines the vessel has to be at least 10 years old, under the 2001 Guidelines 20 years. According to all guidelines the aid should be intended to enable sea-fishermen to acquire part ownership or to replace a vessel after its total loss. (18) With regard to the aid rate, under the 1994 and 1997 Guidelines the total amount of aid to be granted may not exceed 50 % of the participation rate provided for in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 3699/93, applying the scale relating to construction aid set out in that Annex. As Shetland is an Objective I region, the maximum participation rate is set at 60 %. Thus the aid for sea-fishermen to acquire part ownership of a second hand vessel may not exceed 30 % of the actual costs of the acquisition of the vessel. (19) Under the 2001 Guidelines this provision is amended and it is stated that the rate of the aid may not exceed in subsidy equivalent 20 % of the actual cost of the acquisition of the vessel. 4.3.2. Compatibility (20) Under the scheme aid was granted for individuals who acquired for the first time a share in a second hand vessel. According to the Guidelines aid could only be granted with regard to vessels, not older than 20 years, that could be used for at least another 10 years. The scheme does not contain any conditions with regard to the age of the vessels. The fact that the beneficiaries of the aid are obliged to keep their share in the vessel for at least another five years and to use the vessel for fishing during those years seems to insure that aid is granted for vessels that are still operational and to be used for some years. However, this condition is insufficient to comply with the requirements established in point 2.2.3.3. of the 1994, the 1997 as well as the 2001 Guidelines. (21) In addition, according to the information provided, under the scheme the aid may not exceed 25 % of the value of the vessel. Under to the 1994 and 1997 Guidelines, applicable until 1 July 2001, it is allowed to grant aid with a maximum of 30 % of the actual costs of the acquisition of the vessel and thus the aid rate of the scheme of 25 % is compatible with that condition. (22) However the 2001 Guidelines, which Member States were to apply as from 1 July 2001, require that the aid shall not exceed 20 % of the actual costs of the acquisition of the vessel. The aid rate of the scheme of 25 % therefore no longer complies with the conditions established under the Guidelines. Therefore, from 1 July 2001, the aid rate of the scheme of 25 % exceeds seems no longer compatible. (23) With regard to the above, the Commission at this stage has serious doubts on the compatibility with the common market of the aid granted for the acquisition of a share in used vessels. 4.4. New vessels 4.4.1. Guidelines of 1994 and 1997 (24) With regard to aid for the acquisition of a share in new vessels, point 2.2.3.1 of the 1994 and the 1997 Guidelines apply. According to those guidelines, aid for the construction of new fishing vessels may be deemed compatible with the common market provided that it complies with the relevant conditions of Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 (6). Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 (25) According to the conditions laid down in Articles 7 and 10 and Annex III (paragraph 1.3) of Regulation (EC) No 3699/93, the vessels must be built in compliance with the objectives set for the size of the fishing fleet of the Member State concerned under the mulitannual guidance programme (MAGP) and must comply with the regulations and directives governing hygiene and safety and Community provisions concerning the dimension of vessels. The vessels have to be registered in the fleet register. 4.4.2. Guidelines of 2001 (26) With regard to aid for the acquisition of a share in new vessels, point 2.2.3.1 of the 2001 Guidelines applies. According to those guidelines, aid for the construction of new fishing vessels may be deemed compatible with the common market provided that it complies with the relevant conditions of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 (7). Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 (27) Articles 6, 7, 9 and 10 and Annex III (point 1.3) of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 (8), as applicable until 1 January 2003, require that the entry of new capacity is compensated by the withdrawal of a capacity without public aid which is at least equal to the new capacity introduced in the segments concerned. Until 31 December 2001, where the objectives were not yet respected, the withdrawal of capacity should at least be 30 % more than the new capacity introduced. (28) The aid may only be granted where the Member State has submitted the information concerning the application of the Multi-annual Guidance Programme (MAGP) as required under Article 5 of that Regulation and furthermore, has complied with its obligations under Regulation (EEC) No 2930/86 concerning the characteristics of fishing vessels, has implemented the arrangements under Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 and has complied with the overall MAGP-objectives. (29) When the vessel is deleted from the fishing vessel register of the Community, within 10 years from construction, the aid should be recovered pro rata temporis. (30) Finally, the vessels must be built to comply with the regulations and directives governing hygiene and safety and Community provisions concerning the dimension of vessels. The vessels have to be registered in the fleet register and must be entered in the Community fishing fleet register. (31) With regard to the compatibility of aid for the construction of new fishing vessels with the common market, the 2001 Guidelines aid also make reference to the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 as mentioned above. Regulation (EC) No 2369/2002 (32) However, on 1 January 2003 the relevant Articles and Annex of Regulation (EC) No. 2792/1999 were amended by Regulation (EC) No 2369/2002 (9). This amendment introduced the phasing out of aid for construction of new fishing vessels. According to the amended provisions, the conditions have been broadened in the sense that aid for the renewal of fishing vessels may only be granted until 31 December 2004 and for vessels of less than 400 GT. 4.4.3. Compatibility (33) Under the scheme grants can be given for the purchase of a share in a new fishing vessel. Aid can only be granted to persons over 18 years old that do not yet own a share in a fishing vessel. The beneficiary is obliged to use the vessel for fishing for the following 5 years and must retain their share in the vessel for at least the same period. In case of breach of the conditions under the scheme the authorities can require pro rata temporis repayment of the aid. (34) As the scheme seems to make no reference to the reference level for the size of the fishing fleet nor to the hygiene and safety requirement and there is obligation for the registration of the vessel in the fleet register, the Commission at this stage has serious doubts that the conditions for the acquisition of a share in a new vessel during the period starting from 1 July 2001 can be considered compatible with the Guidelines for the examination of State aid to fisheries and aquaculture. (35) Furthermore the scheme does not seem to contain any provisions with regard to the additional requirements introduced by Regulation (EC) No 2369/2002 (point 32), applicable as from 1 January 2003. Although the United Kingdom has stated that no aid has been granted under the scheme during the financial years 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, aid has been granted during the financial year 2002/2003 which could include aid granted after 1 January 2003. Therefore at this stage the Commission also has doubts whether the additional conditions established by Regulation (EC) No. 2369/2002 have been complied with. (36) With regard to the above, the Commission at this stage has serious doubts on the compatibility with the common market of the aid granted for the acquisition of a share in new vessels after 1 July 2001. Aid granted before that date however is deemed to be compatible with the guidelines in force at the time the aid was granted and thus compatible with the common market. 5. DECISION (37) In view of the foregoing analysis the Commission has decided not to raise any objections to this aid scheme as far as it concerns the aid granted for the acquisition of a share in a new vessel granted before 1 July 2001. (38) With regard to the aid granted under the scheme for the acquisition of a share in a new vessel after 1 July 2001 and all aid granted for the acquisition of a share in second hand vessels, the Commission observes that there exist, at this stage of the preliminary examination, as provided for by Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 88 of the EC Treaty, serious doubts on the compatibility of these aids with the Guidelines for the examination of State aid to Fisheries and aquaculture and, therefore, with the EC Treaty. (39) In the light of the foregoing conditions, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88 (2) of the EC Treaty and Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, requests the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to submit its comments and to provide all such information as may help to further assess the aid, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter. It requests your authorities to forward a copy of this letter to the recipients of the aid immediately. (40) The Commission wishes to remind the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that Article 88 (3) of the EC Treaty has suspensory effect and would draw your attention to Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, which provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient. (41) The Commission warns the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform interested parties in the EFTA countries which are signatories to the EEA Agreement, by publication of a notice in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union and will inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.»

(1) Reglamento (CE) no 659/1999 del Consejo, de 22 de marzo de 1999, por el que se establecen disposiciones de aplicación del artículo 93 del Tratado CE (DO L 83 de 27.3.1999, p. 1). Reglamento modificado por el Acta de Adhesión de 2003.

(2) DO C 260 de 17.9.1994, p. 3; DO C 100 de 27.3.1997, p. 12 y DO C 19 de 20.1.2001, p. 7; DO C 229 de 14.9.2004, p. 5.

(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty, OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1. Regulation as amended by the Act of Accession of 2003.

(4) OJ C 229, 14.9.2004, p. 5.

(5) OJ C 260, 17.9.1994, p. 3; OJ C 100, 27.3.1997, p. 12 and OJ C 19, 20.1.2001, p. 7.

(6) Council Regulation (EC) 3699/93 of 21 December 1993 laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and the marketing of its products, OJ L 346, 31.12.1993, p. 1.

(7) Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector OJ L 337, 30.12.1999, p.10, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 485/2005, OJ L 81, 30.3.2005, p. 1.

(8) Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector OJ L 337, 30.12.1999, p.10, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 485/2005, OJ L 81, 30.3.2005, p. 1.

(9) OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 49.