natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Commission firstly wondered whether the investment support measures implemented by the Region and then by STIF should properly be classed as subsidies or as compensation linked to the discharge of the PSOs.
Komisija se prije svega pitala o pravilnoj kvalifikaciji mjera potpore za ulaganja koje su provodili regija i STIF, odnosno subvencija i naknada povezanih s izvršavanjem obveze javne usluge.
Should the French authorities succeed in demonstrating that the arrangements could be treated as compensation, it was not certain that they complied with the criteria set out in the Altmark judgment (‘Altmark criteria’) [12].
Čak i da su francuska nadležna tijela uspjela dokazati da se mehanizmi mogu smatrati naknadom, ispunjavanje četiri kriterija navedena u presudi Altmark (dalje u tekstu: „kriteriji iz presude Altmark”) [12] i dalje bi bilo upitno.
The PSOs did not appear to be clearly defined.
Naime, činilo se da obveze javne usluge nisu bile jasno definirane.
The Commission also expressed doubts as to the objectivity and transparency of the method of calculating the subsidy percentages and ceilings for the acquisition of equipment and vehicles, and pointed out that the fact that the amounts allocated to the authorities had reportedly been set on a lump-sum basis did not appear to it to be material as a means of preventing any overcompensation.
Komisija je izrazila i sumnje u objektivnost i transparentnost metode izračuna postotaka i gornjih granica subvencija za nabavu opreme i vozila te navela da joj se činjenica da su iznosi dodijeljeni jedinicama javne uprave bili određeni paušalno ne čini prikladnim načinom izbjegavanja dodjele prekomjernih naknada.
Lastly, it did not have sufficient information to hand to decide whether the fourth Altmark criterion, relating to cost analysis, had been met.
Naposljetku, Komisija nije imala dovoljno elemenata da bi ocijenila je li ispunjen četvrti kriterij iz presude Altmark u vezi s analizom troškova.
The Commission stated that, owing to the lack of a reply or to the incomplete replies from the French authorities, the question of the legal basis applicable for the purpose of analysing the compatibility of the arrangements referred to in the opening decision had not been addressed.
Komisija je navela da, zbog nepostojanja odgovora ili nepotpunih odgovora francuskih nadležnih tijela, pitanje pravne osnove, koja se koristi za analizu spojivosti mehanizama na koje se odnosi odluka o pokretanju postupka, nije bilo obrađeno.
In addition, because of doubts as to the type of aid granted (subsidies or compensation), it appeared premature to choose a legal basis.
Osim toga, zbog sumnji u pogledu prirode dodijeljenih potpora (subvencije ili naknade), odabir pravne osnove činio se preuranjenim.
If the measures in question were to be considered to be compensation, the Commission was doubtful whether they were compatible with Articles 3, 4 and 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council [13].
Ako su se predmetne mjere trebale smatrati naknadama, Komisija je izrazila sumnje u pogledu njihove spojivosti s člancima 3., 4. i 6. Uredbe (EZ) br. 1370/2007 Europskog parlamenta i Vijeća [13].
COMMENTS BY FRANCE ON THE OPENING DECISION
ODGOVOR FRANCUSKE NA ODLUKU O POKRETANJU POSTUPKA
France maintained that the criteria of selectivity and the effect on trade between Member States were not met.
Francuska tvrdi da kriteriji selektivnosti i utjecaja na trgovinu među državama članicama nisu ispunjeni.
France explained that all operators of scheduled public transport services by road in Île-de-France who so requested had benefited from the measures in question (135 undertakings out of a total of 150).
Francuska pojašnjava da su korisnici predmetnih mjera bili svi operatori redovnog javnog prijevoza u cestovnom prometu u regiji Île-de-France koji su podnijeli zahtjev (135 poduzeća od ukupno 150).
Moreover the measures were awarded on the basis of objective conditions which had been defined in advance in the decision by the Île-de-France Region.
Nadalje, mjere su bile odobrene u skladu s objektivnim uvjetima, koji su bili prethodno utvrđeni u odluci regije Île-de-France.
So there was no exercise of discretionary power by the public authorities in awarding the measures.
Stoga javna tijela nisu imala diskrecijske ovlasti pri dodjeli mjera.
The French competition authority had itself considered that the market in scheduled public transport services by road in Île-de-France was a specific market owing to its particular legal framework.
Čak je i francusko tijelo za zaštitu tržišnog natjecanja izrazilo mišljenje da je tržište redovnog javnog prijevoza u cestovnom prometu u regiji Île-de-France specifično tržište zbog svojeg posebnog pravnog okvira.
What is more, the equipment used on the coach transport market was not the same as on the scheduled transport market.
Osim toga oprema koja se koristila na tržištu izvanrednog autobusnog prijevoza nije bila ista kao oprema na tržištu redovnog prijevoza.
No effect on trade between Member States
Nepostojanje utjecaja na trgovinu među državama članicama
According to France, the case law of the Court of Justice stated explicitly that an aid scheme set up in a market closed to competition did not fall within the scope of Article 107(1) TFEU [14].
Francuska smatra da iz sudske prakse Suda izričito proizlazi da program potpora uveden na tržištu koje nije otvoreno konkurenciji nije obuhvaćen područjem primjene članka 107. stavka 1. UFEU-a [14].
In the case in point, the undertakings which benefited from the measures in question were in a monopoly position on each of the routes served.
U tom su predmetu poduzeća korisnici predmetnih mjera bila u monopolskom položaju na svakoj od linija na kojoj su obavljala prijevoz.
Therefore, given the closed nature of the market and the monopoly position of the undertakings which benefited, the measures in question were not such as to affect trade between Member States.
Stoga predmetne mjere, uzimajući u obzir zatvorenost tržišta i monopolski položaj poduzeća korisnika potpora, nisu mogle utjecati na trgovinu među državama članicama.
The fact that a minority of undertakings which benefited were active on the territory of other Member States would not alter that conclusion, since the undertakings concerned were using the regional aid only for public-service tasks.
Činjenica da je manji broj poduzeća korisnika poslovao na državnom području drugih država članica ne bi promijenio taj zaključak jer su ta poduzeća koristila regionalne isključivo za obavljanje javne usluge.
According to France, the measures implemented by STIF should be described as public-service compensation.
Francuska smatra da se mjere koje je provodio STIF trebaju smatrati naknadama za obavljanje javne usluge.
As that compensation met the four Altmark criteria, it did not constitute State aid.
Budući da te naknade ispunjavaju četiri kriterija iz presude Altmark, one nisu državna potpora.
First Altmark criterion
Prvi kriterij iz presude Altmark
The PSOs which had to be discharged by the operators were clearly defined in Article 4-2 of the CT1 and were, in particular, obligations relating to maintenance, operation, carriage of users, ticket pricing, safety and information.
Obveze javne usluge povjerene operatorima jasno su određene u članku 4. stavku 2. ugovora CT1, posebno obveze u pogledu održavanja, poslovanja, prijevoza korisnika, određivanja tarifa, sigurnosti ili informiranja.
In addition to these obligations, Rider No 3 stipulated, in particular, that the vehicles had to be used on the routes stated in the contract for a period of eight years.
Te su obveze dopunjene Dopunom br. 3, u kojoj je među ostalim određena i obveza da se vozila osam godina upotrebljavaju na ugovorenim linijama.
As the CT2 incorporated the PSOs from the CT1 (Article 5-2), while adding tighter qualitative requirements relating to the fleet in circulation (Articles 41 to 43), the PSOs which operators had to discharge were clearly defined there too.
Osim što su u ugovoru CT2 preuzete obveze javne usluge iz ugovora CT1 (članak 5. stavak 2.) i dodane odredbe kojima se uvode stroži zahtjevi u pogledu kvalitete voznog parka (članci 41. do 43.), u tom su ugovoru jasno definirane i obveze javne usluge koje moraju ispunjavati operatori.
They included, for example, obligations relating to investment, maintenance and upkeep for the purpose of guaranteeing that the equipment had a certain life cycle.
To su, na primjer, obveze ulaganja, održavanja ili popravljanja kako bi se osigurao određeni vijek trajanja opreme.
Second Altmark criterion
Drugi kriterij iz presude Altmark
As regards the CT1, Rider No 3 laid down that the compensation paid for the renewal and expansion of the fleet should be calculated by applying a predefined rate of maximum STIF participation at ceiling prices which were also set in the Rider.
Kada je riječ o ugovoru CT1, u Dopuni br. 3 bilo je predviđeno da se naknada isplaćena za obnovu i proširenje voznog parka računa s pomoću prethodno određene stope maksimalnog udjela STIF-a za maksimalne cijene, koje su također bile određene u Dopuni br. 3.
Article 53 of the CT2 provided for two types of contribution linked to the PSOs, contribution ‘C1’ (Article 53-2) to cover operating costs and contribution ‘C2’ (Article 53-3) to cover investment costs.
U članku 53. ugovora CT2 određene su dvije vrste doprinosa povezanih s obvezama javne usluge: doprinos „C1” (članak 53. stavak 2.) namijenjen pokrivanju troškova poslovanja i doprinos „C2” (članak 53. stavak 3.) namijenjen pokrivanju troškova ulaganja.
Therefore, according to France, the compensation was calculated in advance in an objective and transparent manner.
Francuska stoga smatra da su naknade bile izračunane unaprijed na objektivan i transparentan način.
Third Altmark criterion
Treći kriterij iz presude Altmark
The public-service contracts (CT1 and CT2) laid down that compensation for investment should be paid only after the vehicles and equipment had been purchased.
U ugovorima o obavljanju javne usluge (ugovori CT1 i CT2) određeno je da se naknade za ulaganja dodjeljuju tek nakon kupnje vozila i opreme.
STIF also carried out consistency checks on parts received to make sure that the rolling stock purchased did actually match the original application.
S druge strane, STIF provodi kontrolu sukladnosti dokaza koji su joj dostavljeni kako bi mogao provjeriti odgovaraju li kupljena vozila prvobitnom zahtjevu koji mu je podnesen.
STIF could carry out investigations, audits or checks at any time.
STIF može u bilo kojem trenutku provoditi istrage, revizije ili kontrole.
The beneficiary undertakings were required to produce annual reports accounting for investment made as compared to their advance planning.
Poduzeća korisnici moraju podnositi godišnja izvješća o ulaganjima ostvarenima u odnosu na svoj predviđeni plan rada.
Lastly, the contracts included clauses requiring repayment in the event of non-performance of contractual obligations and STIF could apply penalties.
Naposljetku, ugovori sadržavaju klauzule o povratu u slučaju neispunjavanja ugovornih obveza, a STIF može primijeniti i novčane kazne.
According to France, these features meant it could be guaranteed that there was no overcompensation.
Francuska smatra da se tim elementima može osigurati nepostojanje prekomjernih naknada.
Fourth Altmark criterion
Četvrti kriterij iz presude Altmark
STIF had devised analytical tools with which to carry out cost comparisons on the basis of the data base compiled by all the operators which had a contract with it.
STIF-ove su službe na temelju baze podataka, u koju su uključeni svi operatori koji su sa STIF-om potpisali ugovor, razvile analitičke alate za usporedbu troškova.
This would ensure that the level of compensation was set on the basis of an analysis of the costs of an average well-managed undertaking.
Time bi se trebalo osigurati da je iznos naknade određen na temelju analize troškova prosječnog poduzeća kojim se dobro upravlja.
Furthermore, according to France, the mechanism put in place by the Region met the cumulative conditions for compatibility of State aid under Article 107(3) TFEU, i.e. contribution to objectives of common interest; market failure; the appropriateness of the choice of the measure as an instrument for action; the existence of an incentive effect; the limitation of the aid to the minimum necessary; limited negative effects; and transparency in the awarding of the aid.
Nadalje, Francuska smatra da je mehanizam koji je uspostavila regija ispunjavao kumulativne uvjete spojivosti državne potpore na temelju članka 107. stavka 3. UFEU-a, a to su: doprinos ostvarivanju ciljeva od zajedničkog interesa; nepotpunost tržišta; primjerenost odabira mjere kao instrument djelovanja; postojanje poticajnog učinka; ograničenje iznosa potpore na najniži potreban iznos; ograničeni negativni učinci; transparentnost dodjeljivanja potpora.
Should the Commission consider that the measures implemented by STIF constituted State aid, France believed it could demonstrate their compatibility on the grounds of their conformity with Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007.
Ako bi Komisija smatrala da su mjere koje je provodio STIF državna potpora, Francuska misli da može dokazati njihovu spojivost zbog njihove usklađenosti s Uredbom (EZ) br. 1370/2007.
According to the French authorities, the STIF mechanism met the requirements of that Regulation, i.e. that the PSOs be clearly defined, that the parameters for calculating the compensation be established in advance in an objective and transparent manner, and that arrangements be determined for the allocation of costs connected with the provision of services.
Francuska smatra da mehanizam STIF-a odgovara zahtjevima te Uredbe, odnosno jasnoj definiciji obveze javne usluge, prethodnom objektivnom i transparentnom određivanju parametara izračuna naknade te definiciji načina raspodjele troškova povezanih s pružanjem usluga.
The CT1 met these requirements through the obligations listed in recital 64 and through the fact that STIF could carry out checks on the terms of implementation of those obligations.
Ugovor CT1 ispunjavao bi te zahtjeve zahvaljujući obvezama navedenima u uvodnoj izjavi 64. i mogućnosti koja je dana STIF-u da provodi nadzor uvjeta ispunjavanja tih obveza.
As regards the CT2, the compensation payments provided for under the obligations were subdivided depending on their purpose (to cover operating costs or investment costs).
Kada je riječ o ugovorima CT2, naknade predviđene na temelju tih obveza podijeljene su ovisno o svrsi (pokrivanje troškova poslovanja ili troškova ulaganja).
In the event of failure to renew vehicles as laid down in the vehicle fleet investment plan, the depreciation amounts and the corresponding financial costs were refunded to STIF.
U slučaju da vozni park nije obnovljen kako je predviđeno planom ulaganja, izvršava se povrat amortizacije i popratnih troškova STIF-u.
The French authorities emphasised that STIF also had the right to carry out audits and extensive checks under the CT2s.
Francuska naglašava da STIF u okviru ugovora CT2 ima i široko pravo provođenja revizije i kontrole.
It would therefore appear that STIF could satisfy itself that its payments were intended solely to cover costs specific to the CT2, and that they constituted fair compensation for PSOs in a manner compatible with Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 and with the common market.
Prema tome, čini se da STIF može osigurati da njegova plaćanja budu namijenjena isključivo pokrivanju troškova koji proizlaze iz ugovora CT2 te da čine primjerenu naknadu za ispunjavanje obveza javne usluge i da je ta naknada spojiva s Uredbom (EZ) br. 1370/2007 i zajedničkim tržištem.
COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES AND OBSERVATIONS BY FRANCE
PRIMJEDBE ZAINTERESIRANIH TREĆIH STRANA I KOMENTARI FRANCUSKE
The Region
Regija
The Region referred only to the measures it had itself implemented between 1994 and 2008.
Regija je izrazila svoja stajališta samo o mjerama koje je sama provodila u razdoblju od 1994. do 2008.
The Region pointed out that the organisation of transport in Île-de-France was subject to a system of derogations from the ordinary rules on the grounds of the special circumstances prevailing there (population expansion, urban spread, establishment of international airports, large numbers of stations).
Regija podsjeća da je za organizaciju prijevoza u regiji Île-de-France vrijedio sustav odstupanja od općih pravila, koji je bio opravdan njezinom specifičnom situacijom (porast stanovništva, širenje urbanih područja, izgradnja međunarodnih zračnih luka, brojne stanice).
The beneficiaries under the arrangement were local public authorities which had signed a route operating contract with private undertakings or were operating such routes under local authority control.
Korisnici ovog mehanizma bile su jedinice javne uprave koje su s privatnim ili javnim poduzećima sklopile ugovor o obavljanju prijevoza na tim linijama.
These beneficiaries were active on the market in Île-de-France, which had not been liberalised.
Ti su korisnici poslovali na tržištu regije Île-de-France koje nije bilo liberalizirano.
The measures in question did not constitute State aid.
Predmetne mjere nisu državna potpora.
According to the Region, the criteria of selectivity and effect on trade between Member States were not met.
Naime, regija smatra da kriteriji selektivnosti i utjecaja na trgovinu među državama članicama nisu ispunjeni.
The measures in question were awarded on the basis of objective, defined conditions whereby any undertaking which met the conditions could benefit from the measures.
Odobrenje predmetnih mjera bilo je u skladu s objektivnim i utvrđenim uvjetima prema kojima su korisnici mjera mogla biti sva poduzeća koja su ispunjavala uvjete.
The undertakings which did not benefit from them had either not applied to do so or were not eligible for them.
Poduzeća koja nisu bila korisnici mjera ili nisu dostavila zahtjev ili nisu zadovoljavala uvjete.
Moreover, the legal system governing the market in public passenger transport in Île-de-France displayed special features which were recognised by the French Competition Authority.
Osim toga, pravni sustav tržišta javnog putničkog prijevoza u regiji Île-de-France ima i specifične značajke koje priznaje francusko tijelo za zaštitu tržišnog natjecanja.
As all the undertakings, therefore, were not in a comparable legal and factual position, it could not be concluded that the measures in question were selective.
Budući da nisu sva poduzeća u usporedivoj pravnoj i činjeničnoj situaciji, nije moguće zaključiti da su predmetne mjere bile selektivne.
Furthermore, undertakings operating scheduled public transport services by road and undertakings operating other types of transport services did not use the same rolling stock.
Osim toga, poduzeća koja obavljaju djelatnosti redovnog javnog prijevoza u cestovnom prometu i poduzeća koja obavljaju druge vrste prijevoza ne upotrebljavaju isti vozni park.
The Region subscribed to the assessment of this point by France.
Regija se u vezi s ovom točkom slaže s analizom Francuske.
As the measures could not be classed as aid, the Region did not assess their compatibility.
Budući da se mjere ne mogu smatrati potporama, regija ne analizira njihovu spojivost.
Classification as an existing aid scheme
Kvalifikacija postojećih programa potpora
In its final observations, the Region introduced the argument that the mechanism in force up to 2008 should be treated as an existing aid scheme.
Regija je u svoje zadnje primjedbe uključila tvrdnju prema kojoj bi se mehanizam koji je bio na snazi do 2008. trebao analizirati kao postojeći program potpora.
According to the Region, this mechanism was set up on the basis of legislation dating back to 1949 and 1959, i.e. to a time (1949) prior to the Treaty of Rome or, if 1959 was taken as the basis, to a time when the market in scheduled public transport services by road in Île-de-France was not open to competition.
Prema regiji taj je mehanizam uveden na temelju zakonodavnih tekstova iz 1949. i 1959., odnosno iz vremena (1949.) prije Rimskog ugovora ili, ako se uzme 1959., iz vremena u kojem tržište redovnog javnog prijevoza putnika u cestovnom prometu u regiji Île-de-France nije bilo otvoreno konkurenciji.
STIF gave its views only on the measures it itself implemented: the CT1s and CT2s.
STIF se izjasnio samo o mjerama koje je on sam provodio: ugovori CT1 i CT2.
According to STIF, the measures in question could not be classed as State aid in that they met the four Altmark criteria.
STIF smatra da se predmetne mjere ne mogu kvalificirati kao državne potpore jer ispunjavaju četiri kriterija iz presude Altmark.
STIF took the view that the first Altmark criterion was met since the PSOs imposed on the transport undertakings were effectively set out clearly and precisely, including those corresponding to the investment costs.
STIF smatra da je prvi kriterij iz presude Altmark ispunjen jer su obveze javne usluge, povjerene prijevoznim poduzećima, jasno i detaljno opisane, uključujući one koje se odnose na troškove ulaganja.
The aim and effect of the mechanism was to impose on private transport undertakings obligations to operate services and carry passengers, and fare obligations, which were essential in order to ensure the provision of a transport service akin to a PSO.
Cilj i učinak ovog mehanizma jest da se privatnim prijevoznim poduzećima nametnu obveze upravljanja i obavljanja prijevoza te tarifne obveze, koje su nužne za osiguravanje ponude obavljanja prijevoza, koju se može usporediti s obvezom javne usluge.
As regards the CT1s, all the obligations were listed in each contract.
Kada je riječ o ugovorima CT1, sve su obveze bile navedene u svakom ugovoru.
As for the CT2s, they followed on from the CT1s, which already laid down the PSOs clearly.
Kada je riječ o ugovorima CT2, oni su nastavak na ugovore CT1, u kojima su obveze javne usluge već bile jasno definirane.
The ability to perform the public-service task and fulfil public-service obligations also depended on the vehicles (quality, equipment, age, etc.), entailing detailed obligations with respect to the vehicles, including the obligation, under the CT2s, to draw up a precise investment plan.
Sposobnost ispunjavanja zadaće pružanja javne usluge i ispunjavanja njezinih obveza ovisi i o vozilima (kvaliteti, opremi, starosti itd.) te uključuje detaljne obveze povezane s vozilima, uključujući obvezu, na temelju ugovora CT2, da se izradi detaljan plan ulaganja.
As regards the CT1s, STIF considered that the parameters which formed the basis for calculating the public-service compensation were objective and transparent.
Kada je riječ o ugovorima CT1, STIF smatra da su parametri na temelju kojih je izračunana naknada za obavljanje javne usluge bili objektivni i transparentni.
The CT2s contained data for calculating the compensation, meaning that the parameters were known in advance and were established objectively and transparently.
Ugovori CT2 sadržavaju podatke za izračun naknade, što znači da su parametri unaprijed poznati i utvrđeni na objektivan i transparentan način.
In the CT2s, there was provision for a financial account for the service contractually agreed between STIF and the undertaking, reflecting the economic balance of the contract and covering all the undertaking's revenues and costs, including the contributions from STIF.
U ugovorima CT2 predviđen je financijski račun usluge ugovorene između STIF-a i poduzeća, kojim se izražava ekonomska ravnoteža ugovora i koji uključuje sve prihode i troškove poduzeća, uključujući doprinose STIF-a.
The two types of contract also included mechanisms for monitoring the compensation.
Osim toga, oba tipa ugovora uključuju mehanizme kontrole naknada.
So, according to STIF, the parameters for the compensation granted to operators were established in advance in an objective and transparent manner.
Zbog toga STIF smatra da su parametri za naknadu dodijeljenu operatorima bili utvrđeni unaprijed na objektivan i transparentan način.