do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3757 — 3i/Providence/Crown Entertainment) — Candidate case for simplified procedureText with EEA relevance
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: communications industry, company with share capital, economic concentration, exchange of information, investment company, mass media, merger control, pay television

C 65/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.3.2005

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3757 — 3i/Providence/Crown Entertainment)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2005/C 65/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.
On 9 March 2005 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to
Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings 3i Group (‘3i’, UK) and
Providence Equity Offshore Partners IV (‘Providence’, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of
the Council Regulation joint control of the undertakings Crown Entertainment (UK) and Crown Media
International (USA) by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

— for 3i: international private equity house,

— for Providence: global private investment firm specializing in media and communications companies,

— for Crown Entertainment and Crown Media International: compile and distribute the Hallmark branded

pay-TV channels.

3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the
scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to
the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council
Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the
procedure set out in the Notice.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed

4.
operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.
Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post,
under reference number COMP/M.3757 — 3i/Providence/Crown Entertainment, to the following address:

European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition,
Merger Registry
J-70
B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.
(2) Available on DG COMP website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/legislation/consultation/simplified_tru.pdf.
Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: EFTA Surveillance Authority
Subjects: Norway, State aid, control of State aid, less-favoured region, loan, regional policy

17.3.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65/7

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I
of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision not to raise objections

(2005/C 65/07)

Date of adoption: 1 December 2004

EFTA State: Norway

Aid No: Case 56 430

Title: Prolongation of the temporary regional
18.12.2003, p. 33).

loan scheme (Published in the Official Journal C 308,

Objective: The temporary regional loan scheme has the primary objective of triggering economic devel-
opment in less favoured and outlying regions in Norway by supporting investment and job creation in an
economically sustainable context. The scheme has R&D and employment as secondary objectives.

Legal basis: Parliament decision No 124 of 9 December 2003 (in case No 2, published in the Parliament
journal (Stortingstidende) pp. 1046-1053, 1071-1073), proposed by The Standing Committee on Business
and Industry 3 December 2003 (Proposed decision IV of Innst.S.nr.71 (2003-2004))

Budget/Duration: NOK 500 million for loans and NOK 75 million for interest subsidies. The scheme will
run until 31 December 2005.

Other information: The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been
removed, can be found at:

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregister
Initiation of proceedings (Case COMP/M.3625 — Blackstone/Acetex)Text with EEA relevance
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: bank, chemical industry, economic concentration, foodstuff, infringement procedure (EU), plastics industry

C 65/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

17.3.2005

Initiation of proceedings

(Case COMP/M.3625 — Blackstone/Acetex)

(2005/C 65/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 10 March 2005, the Commission decided to initiate proceedings in the above-mentioned case after
finding that the notified concentration raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common
market. The initiation of proceedings opens a second phase investigation with regard to the notified
concentration. The decision is based on Article 6(1)(c) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their observations on the proposed concentration
to the Commission.

In order to be fully taken into account in the procedure, observations should reach the Commission not
later than 15 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by
fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference No COMP/M.3625 — Blackstone/
Acetex, to the following address:
Commission of the European Communities
Competition DG
Merger Registry
J-70
B-1049 Brussels
Commission Regulation (EC) No 434/2005 of 17 March 2005 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, pip fruit

18.3.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 72/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 434/2005

of 17 March 2005

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(2)

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

In compliance with the above criteria,
the standard
import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of
21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the
and in
import
fruit
arrangements
particular Article 4(1) thereof,

and vegetables (1),

for

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
standard values for imports from third countries,
in
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regu-
lation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 18 March 2005.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 March 2005.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ
Director-General for Agriculture and
Rural Development

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 1947/2002 (OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 17).

L 72/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

18.3.2005

to Commission Regulation of 17 March 2005 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry
price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 10 00

0709 90 70

0805 10 20

0805 50 10

0808 10 80

0808 20 50

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
624
999

052
068
204
999

220
999

052
204
999

052
204
212
220
400
421
624
999

052
400
624
999

388
400
404
508
512
528
720
999

052
388
400
512
528
720
999

114,9
75,5
127,0
129,4
111,7

142,4
170,0
94,0
135,5

14,9
14,9

146,4
63,8
105,1

56,2
49,6
58,3
51,6
56,1
35,9
59,4
52,4

68,0
74,3
57,4
66,6

65,2
97,7
74,8
62,7
78,0
65,9
71,6
73,7

157,0
64,7
92,6
51,5
56,1
38,6
76,8

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2081/2003 (OJ L 313, 28.11.2003, p. 11). Code ‘999’ stands for

‘of other origin’.
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3760 — AXA Private Equity/Larivière) — Candidate case for simplified procedureText with EEA relevance
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: building materials, economic concentration, exchange of information, investment company, merger control

17.3.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65/5

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3760 — AXA Private Equity/Larivière)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2005/C 65/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.
On 9 March 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to
Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking AXA Investment Managers
Private Equity Europe SA (‘AXA Private Equity’, France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of
the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Larivière S.A.(France) by way of purchase
of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

— for undertaking AXA Private Equity: private equity funds,

— for undertaking Larivière: trading of building material (roof material).

3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the
scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to
the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council
Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the
procedure set out in the Notice.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed

4.
operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.
Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post,
under reference number COMP/M.3760 — AXA Private Equity/Larivière, to the following address:

European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition,
Merger Registry
J-70
B-1049 Brussels

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.
(2) Available on DG COMP website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/legislation/consultation/simplified_tru.pdf.
Opinion of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank of 17 March 2005 on a recommendation from the Council of the European Union on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (CON/2005/6)
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Central Bank
Subjects: European Central Bank, appointment of staff

C 75/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.3.2005

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

OPINION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 17 March 2005

on a recommendation from the Council of the European Union on the appointment of a member
of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank

(CON/2005/6)

(2005/C 75/07)

1. By letter of 8 March 2005, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union requested the
Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) to deliver its opinion on Council Recommenda-
tion 2005/207/EC of 8 March 2005 on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the
European Central Bank (1).

2. The abovementioned recommendation, which will be submitted for decision to the Heads of State or
Government of the Member States which have adopted the euro after consultation of the Governing
Council of the ECB and the European Parliament, recommends that Mr Lorenzo Bini Smaghi be
appointed as member of the Executive Board of the ECB for a term of office of eight years with effect
from 1 June 2005.

3. The Governing Council of the ECB is of the opinion that the proposed candidate is a person of recog-
nised standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters as required by Article
112(2)(b) of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

4. The Governing Council of the ECB has no objection to the Council's recommendation on the appoint-

ment of the proposed candidate as member of the Executive Board of the ECB.

5. The Governing Council of the ECB has adopted this opinion in accordance with Article 112(2)(b) of the
Treaty and Article 11.2 and Article 43.3 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of
the European Central Bank.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 17 March 2005.

The President of the ECB

Jean-Claude TRICHET

(1) OJ L 68, 15.3.2005, p. 40.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 443/2005 of 17 March 2005 fixing the maximum export refund on common wheat in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 115/2005
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, common wheat, export refund

18.3.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 72/15

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 443/2005

of 17 March 2005

fixing the maximum export refund on common wheat in connection with the invitation to tender
issued in Regulation (EC) No 115/2005

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of 29
September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in
cereals (1), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

(3)

(4)

Whereas:

In that case a contract is awarded to any tenderer whose
bid is equal to or lower than the maximum refund.

The application of the abovementioned criteria to the
current market
in question
results in the maximum export refund being fixed.

situation for

the cereal

The Management Committee
for Cereals has not
delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its
chairman,

(1)

(2)

An invitation to tender for the refund for the export of
common wheat to certain third countries was opened
pursuant
(EC) No
to
115/2005 (2).

Commission

Regulation

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In accordance with Article 7 of Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1501/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain
detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation
(EEC) No 1766/92 on the granting of export refunds on
cereals and the measures to be taken in the event of
disturbance on the market for cereals (3), the Commission
may, on the basis of the tenders notified, decide to fix a
maximum export refund taking account of the criteria
referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95.

For tenders notified on 11 to 17 March 2005, pursuant to the
invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 115/2005, the
maximum refund on exportation of common wheat shall be
8,94 EUR/t.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 18 March 2005.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 March 2005.

For the Commission

Mariann FISCHER BOEL
Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 78.
(2) OJ L 24, 27.1.2005, p. 3.
(3) OJ L 147, 30.6.1995, p. 7. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 777/2004 (OJ L 123, 27.4.2004, p. 50).
Commission Regulation (EC) No 435/2005 of 17 March 2005 applying a reduction coefficient to refund certificates for goods not covered by Annex I to the Treaty, as provided for by Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1520/2000
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agricultural product, export refund, primary product, processed foodstuff

18.3.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 72/3

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 435/2005

of 17 March 2005

applying a reduction coefficient to refund certificates for goods not covered by Annex I to the
Treaty, as provided for by Article 8(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1520/2000

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 of
6 December 1993 laying down the
arrangements
applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of
agricultural products (1),

trade

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1520/2000
of 13 July 2000 laying down common detailed rules for the
application of the system of granting export refunds on certain
agricultural products exported in the form of goods not covered
by Annex I to the Treaty and the criteria for fixing the amount
of such refunds (2), and in particular Article 8(5) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

to Article 8(2)
Member States' notifications pursuant
that
of Regulation (EC) No 1520/2000 indicate
the
received reaches
EUR 178 002 906 while the available amount for the

amount of

applications

total

tranche of refund certificates as referred to in Article 8(4)
of Regulation (EC) No 1520/2000 is EUR 68 116 869.

(2)

A reduction coefficient shall be calculated on the basis of
Article 8(3) and (4) of Regulation (EC) No 1520/2000.
Such coefficient should therefore be applied to amounts
requested in the form of refund certificates for use from
1 April 2005 as established in Article 8(6) of Regulation
(EC) No 1520/2000,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The amounts for applications of refund certificates for use from
1 April 2005 are subject to a reduction coefficient of 0,618.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 18 March 2005.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 March 2005.

For the Commission

Günter VERHEUGEN
Vice-President

(1) OJ L 318, 20.12.1993, p. 18. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 2580/2000 (OJ L 298, 25.11.2000, p. 5).

(2) OJ L 177, 15.7.2000, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 886/2004 (OJ L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 14).
Commission Regulation (EC) No 441/2005 of 17 March 2005 concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the export of barley issued in Regulation (EC) No 1757/2004
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, barley, export refund

18.3.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 72/13

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 441/2005

of 17 March 2005

concerning tenders notified in response to the invitation to tender for the export of barley issued
in Regulation (EC) No 1757/2004

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of 29
September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in
cereals (1), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

An invitation to tender for the refund for the export of
barley to certain third countries was opened pursuant to
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1757/2004 (2).

Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 of
29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for the
application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 on
the granting of export
refunds on cereals and the
measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on

the market for cereals (3), and in particular Article 13(3)
thereof,

(3)

(4)

On the basis of the criteria laid down in Article 1 of
Regulation (EC) No 1501/95, a maximum refund should
not be fixed.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
the Management
accordance with the opinion of
Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

No action shall be taken on the tenders notified from
11 to 17 March 2005 in response to the invitation to tender
for the refund for the export of barley issued in Regulation (EC)
No 1757/2004.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 18 March 2005.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 March 2005.

For the Commission

Mariann FISCHER BOEL
Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 78.
(2) OJ L 313, 12.10.2004, p. 10.

(3) OJ L 147, 30.6.1995, p. 7. Regulation as

last modified by

Regulation (EC) No 777/2004 (OJ L 123, 27.4.2004, p. 50).
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

17.3.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65/1

I

(Information)

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

16 March 2005

(2005/C 65/01)

1 euro =

Currency

Exchange rate

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

JPY

DKK

GBP

SEK

CHF

ISK

NOK

BGN

CYP

CZK

EEK

HUF

LTL

US dollar

Japanese yen

Danish krone

Pound sterling

Swedish krona

Swiss franc

Iceland króna

Norwegian krone

Bulgarian lev

Cyprus pound

Czech koruna

Estonian kroon

Hungarian forint

Lithuanian litas

1,3373

LVL

Latvian lats

139,33

MTL Maltese lira

7,4472

0,69600

9,0900

1,5462

78,71

8,2010

1,9559

0,5828

PLN

ROL

SIT

SKK

TRY

Polish zloty

Romanian leu

Slovenian tolar

Slovak koruna

Turkish lira

AUD Australian dollar

CAD

HKD

Canadian dollar

Hong Kong dollar

29,850

NZD New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

246,08

KRW South Korean won

3,4528

ZAR

South African rand

0,6961

0,4325

4,0691

36 153

239,70

38,461

1,7783

1,6906

1,6094

10,4305

1,8065

2,1683

1 342,38

8,1594

(1) Source:

reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 442/2005 of 17 March 2005 fixing the maximum export refund on oats in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1565/2004
Date: 2005-03-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Finland, Sweden, award of contract, export refund, oats

L 72/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

18.3.2005

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 442/2005

of 17 March 2005

fixing the maximum export refund on oats in connection with the invitation to tender issued in
Regulation (EC) No 1565/2004

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of
29 September 2003 on the common organisation of
the
in cereals (1), and in particular Article 7 thereof,
market

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 of
29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for the appli-
cation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 on the granting
of export refunds on cereals and the measures to be taken in
the event of disturbance on the market for cereals (2), and in
particular Article 4 thereof,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2004
of 3 September 2004 on a special intervention measure for oats
in Finland and Sweden for the 2004/2005 marketing year (3),

Whereas:

(1)

An invitation to tender for the refund for the export of
oats produced in Finland and Sweden for export from
third countries with the
Finland or Sweden to all

exception of Bulgaria, Norway, Romania and Switzerland
was opened pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1565/2004.

On the basis of the criteria laid down in Article 1 of
Regulation (EC) No 1501/95, a maximum refund should
be fixed.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Cereals,

(2)

(3)

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For tenders notified from 11 to 17 March 2005, pursuant
issued in Regulation (EC)
to the
No 1565/2004, the maximum refund on exportation of oats
shall be 33,95 EUR/t.

invitation to tender

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 18 March 2005.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 March 2005.

For the Commission

Mariann FISCHER BOEL
Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 78.
(2) OJ L 147, 30.6.1995, p. 7. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 1431/2003 (OJ L 203, 12.8.2003, p. 16).

(3) OJ L 285, 4.9.2004, p. 3.