natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In order to assess whether the measures provided for in the scheme constitute aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty, it is necessary to determine whether they confer an advantage on the recipient, whether the advantage is conferred by the State, whether the measures in question affect competition and whether they are liable to affect intra-Community trade.
Da bi presodili, ali so v shemi predvideni ukrepi pomoči v skladu členom 87(1) Pogodbe, je treba opredeliti, ali so za upravičence ugodni, ali pomoč dodeljuje država, ali ukrepi vplivajo na konkurenco in ali lahko poslabšajo medsebojno blagovno izmenjavo v okviru Skupnosti.
The first requirement for the applicability of Article 87(1) of the Treaty is the possibility that the scheme confers an advantage on certain specific recipients.
Prvi pogoj za izvajanje člena 87(1) Pogodbe je ugodnost, ki so je lahko s tem ukrepom deležni nekateri določeni prejemniki.
It must therefore be determined whether the recipients enjoy an economic advantage they would not have obtained under normal market conditions or whether they avoid costs which would normally have been borne by the firm’s financial resources, and whether this advantage is conferred on a specific category of firm.
Zato je treba ugotoviti, ali bodo prejemniki imeli gospodarsko korist, ki je sicer v normalnih tržnih pogojih ne bi, oziroma ali se bodo tako izognili stroškom, ki bi sicer bremenili njihov proračun, in po drugi strani, ali je ta korist namenjena določeni kategoriji podjetij.
The possibility of setting off part of the investment against tax confers an economic advantage on the recipients since their taxable income and hence the amount of tax on that income are reduced compared with what the firm would normally have had to pay.
Podjetja prejemniki lahko imajo od tega gospodarsko korist, saj so z delom naložb upravičena do davčnih olajšav, si tako zmanjšajo davčno osnovo in posledično tudi plačilo davka na dohodek.
In addition, the aid is available to such firms as operate and, in particular, invest in specific areas of Italy and favours them since it is not granted to firms outside those areas.
Poleg tega so ukrepi pomoči namenjeni nekaterim podjetjem, ki delujejo in zlasti vlagajo na določenih območjih v Italiji, torej so zanje ugodni, saj se podjetja zunaj teh območij ne morejo potegovati za to pomoč.
The second requirement for the applicability of Article 87 is that the aid must be granted by the State or through State resources.
V skladu z drugim pogojem za izvajanje člena 87(1) Pogodbe mora pomoč dodeliti država iz državnih sredstev.
In the present case, the use of State resources takes the form of revenue forgone by the public authorities: the reduction in income tax reduces the tax revenue accruing to the State.
V tem primeru je za javno oblast uporaba državnih sredstev izpad zaslužka, saj se zaradi nižjega davka na dohodek zmanjša tudi priliv od davkov v državno blagajno.
The third and fourth requirements for the applicability of Article 87(1) of the Treaty are that the aid distorts or threatens to distort competition and that it be liable to affect trade between Member Sates.
Pomoč mora v skladu s tretjim in četrtim pogojem za izvajanje člena 87(1) Pogodbe izkrivljati ali groziti, da bo izkrivljala konkurenco, ter vplivati ali biti sposobna vplivati na medsebojno izmenjavo v Skupnosti.
In the present case, the measures threaten to distort competition by strengthening the financial position and freedom of action of the recipient firms compared with competitors who do not qualify.
V tem primeru ukrepi ogrožajo konkurenco, saj si v nasprotju s konkurenčnimi podjetij, ki jih ne morejo koristiti, podjetja prejemniki utrjujejo finančni položaj in polje delovanja. Če se to dogaja na področju medsebojne blagovne izmenjave v Skupnosti, bo to vplivalo tudi nanjo.
If that effect makes itself felt in intra-Community trade, then trade between Member States is affected.
Ukrepi izkrivljajo konkurenco in vplivajo na medsebojno izmenjavo v Skupnosti zlasti takrat, ko podjetja prejemniki izvažajo del svoje proizvodnje v druge države članice.
In particular, such measures distort competition and affect trade between Member States if the recipients export part of their production to other Member States; by analogy, if they do not export, domestic output is favoured because firms in other Member States then have less chance of exporting their products to the Italian market [7].
Skladno s tem pa, če podjetja prejemniki ne izvažajo, ima od tega korist domača proizvodnja, saj je možnost drugih podjetij iz držav članic za izvoz svojih proizvodov na italijansko tržišče okrnjena [7].
The same is true when a Member State grants aid to firms operating in the service and distribution industries [8].
Enako se dogaja, ko neka država članica dodeli pomoč podjetjem, ki se ukvarjajo s storitvami in distribucijo [8].
Accordingly, the measures under examination are, in principle, prohibited by Article 87(1) and can be regarded as compatible with the common market only if they qualify for one of the derogations laid down in the Treaty.
Zaradi tega člen 87(1) načeloma prepoveduje take ukrepe, ki pa so združljivi s skupnim trgom le, če lahko izkoristijo katero izmed v Pogodbi določenih odstopanj.
The Commission considers, however, that aid granted under the scheme does not constitute State aid if the conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 [9] or the de minimis rules in force when the aid was granted are met.
Komisija še poudarja, da se pomoč, dodeljena na podlagi obravnavanega ukrepa, ne šteje kot državna pomoč, če so ob njeni dodelitvi izpolnjeni pogoji iz Uredbe (ES) št. 69/2001 [9] ali tisti iz takrat veljavnih predpisov de minimis.
Unlawfulness of the scheme
Nezakonitost sheme
In view of the fact that the measures have already entered into force, the Commission regrets that the Italian authorities have not fulfilled their obligation to notify the scheme in accordance with Article 88(3) of the Treaty.
Glede na to, da so ukrepi že začeli veljati, Komisija obžaluje, da italijanske oblasti niso spoštovale obveznosti o prijavi sheme v skladu s členom 88(3) Pogodbe.
Compatibility of the measures with the common market
Ovrednotenje združljivosti ukrepov s skupnim trgom
Having concluded that the measures in question constitute aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty, the Commission must consider whether the aid is compatible with the common market within the meaning of Article 87(2) and (3) of the Treaty.
Po ugotovitvi, ali so obravnavani ukrepi mišljeni kot pomoč v smislu člena 87(1) Pogodbe, mora Komisija preveriti njihovo združljivost v smislu členov 87(2) in (3) Pogodbe.
As regards the applicability of the derogations provided for in the Treaty, the Commission takes the view that the aid does not qualify for the derogation in Article 87(2)(a) as it is not aid having a social character or aid covered by Article 87(2)(c).
Glede uveljavljanja odstopanj po Pogodbi pa je Komisija mnenja, da tovrstna pomoč ni upravičena do odstopanj iz člena 87(2)(a) Pogodbe, ker to ni niti socialna pomoč niti pomoč, predvidena v členu 87(2)(c) Pogodbe.
For obvious reasons, the derogations in Article 87(3)(b) and (d) are not applicable either.
Prav tako ni mogoče upoštevati odstopanj iz členov 87(3)(b) in (d).
As regards the applicability of the derogations in Article 87(3)(a) and (c), the Commission refers to the doubts it expressed in this connection in its decision initiating the procedure and takes note of the statements made by the Italian authorities under the procedure to the effect that the aid in question is not aimed at any of the objectives covered by these provisions.
Kar pa zadeva morebitno uveljavljanje izjem iz točk členov 87(3)(a) in (c), se Komisija sklicuje na pomisleke, ki jih je izrazila v odločitvi o začetku postopka in sprejme na znanje izjave, ki jih je Italija dala v postopku o tem, da se obravnavana pomoč ne dodeljuje v namene, predvidene v omenjenih odstopanjih.
The Member State concerned did not provide the necessary information to enable the Commission to assess the compatibility of the scheme in the light of these derogations and it is therefore not possible to assess the scheme from this standpoint in the present Decision.
Ker zainteresirana država članica ni sporočila podatkov, ki jih je Komisija potrebovala, da na podlagi takih odstopanj ovrednoti združljivost sheme, v tej odločbi ni mogoče ovrednotiti sheme pomoči iz tega vidika.
This finding is without prejudice to the possibility that aid granted under the scheme may be declared compatible following an individual examination or may be covered by the exemption regulations.
To pa ne izključuje možnosti, da se ovrednoti pomoč, dodeljeno po tej shemi, kot združljivo po preverbi posameznih primerov ali ugotovitvi, da spada med tiste oblike pomoči, za katere veljajo pravila o odstopanju.
The Commission considered whether the measures could qualify for the derogation in Article 87(2)(b) as aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences.
Komisija je preverila, ali so ukrepi glede na to, da je pomoč namenjena odpravi škode zaradi naravnih in drugih nesreč, upravičeni do odstopanja iz člena 87(2)(b).
It should be noted that Italy, in the course of the procedure, stressed that this was the purpose of the aid.
Italija je v postopku poudarila, da je prav to namen pomoči.
Aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters
Analiza ukrepa pomoči za odpravo škode zaradi naravnih nesreč
Article 87(2)(b) of the Treaty provides that aid may be granted to make good damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences.
Škodo, nastalo zaradi naravnih in drugih nesreč je mogoče povrniti v skladu s členom 87(2)(b) Pogodbe.
The Commission has consistently taken the view that volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, flooding and landslides constitute natural disasters within the meaning of that Article.
Komisija priznava po ustaljeni praksi kot naravne nesreče v skladu z navedenim členom ognjeniške izbruhe, potrese, poplave in zemeljske plazove.
Under the scheme in question, aid is granted to make good the damage suffered by firms as a result of the natural disasters that affected several areas in Italy.
Po obravnavani shemi je pomoč namenjena plačilu škode, ki so jo zaradi naravnih nesreč utrpela podjetja na nekaterih italijanskih območjih.
The disasters and the areas concerned were specified and defined in administrative instruments.
Naravne nesreče in prizadeta območja so bila ugotovljena in opredeljena z upravnimi akti.
As the Italian authorities also confirmed in their letter of 10 September 2004, the measure is based on a macroeconomic approach.
V skladu s trditvami italijanskih oblasti v dopisu z dne 10. septembra 2004 ukrep temelji na makroekonomskem pristopu.
However, according to the Treaty itself and in line with the Commission’s standard practice, there must be a clear and direct link between the event that caused the damage and the State aid intended to remedy it.
Glede na samo Pogodbo in ustaljeno prakso Komisije pa morata biti dogodek, ki je povzročil škodo, in državna pomoč, namenjena njeni odpravi, jasno in neposredno povezana.
The link must be established at the level of each firm and not at the macroeconomic level [10].
To povezavo je treba ugotoviti za vsako podjetje posebej in ne na makroekonomski ravni [10].
As regards more indirect forms of damage, the Commission communication to the European Parliament and the Council concerning the European Community response to the flooding in Austria, Germany and several applicant countries states that ‘as regards compensation for more indirect forms of damage caused by the floods, e.g., production delays because of electricity cuts, difficulties in delivering products due to blockage of certain transport routes, where a clear causal link between the damage and the flood can be established, full compensation is possible’ [11].
Glede posrednejših oblik škode pa sporočilo Komisije Evropskemu parlamentu in Svetu, ki vsebuje „odgovor Evropske skupnosti glede poplav v Avstriji, Nemčiji in številnih državah članicah“, navaja, da: „glede posrednejših oblik kompenzacije zaradi poplav, kot so na primer zamude v proizvodnji zaradi izpada električnega toka, težave v dostavi proizvodov zaradi zaprtja nekaterih cest, bo mogoče v primerih jasne vzročne povezave med škodo in poplavo povrniti škodo v celoti“ [11].
However, in view of the macroeconomic approach taken by the measure implemented by the Italian authorities, it is not possible to identify a clear causal link between the damage for which compensation is available and the natural disasters.
Vendar zaradi makroekonomskega pristopa ukrepa, za katerega so se opredelile italijanske oblasti, vzročne povezave med škodo, poplačljivo po shemi pomoči, in naravnimi nesrečami ni mogoče jasno opredeliti.
Even as regards indirect damage, the link must be established at the level of each firm and not at the macroeconomic level.
Tudi pri posredni škodi mora biti povezava ugotovljiva po posameznih podjetjih in ne na makroekonomski ravni.
In the present case, the scheme benefits all firms carrying out investments in excess of a certain threshold established according to the average in preceding years in the municipalities identified by the Italian authorities, some of which are very large, heavily populated and characterised by a very significant level of economic activity (e.g. Milan, Turin, Genoa).
V tem primeru je shema pomoči namenjena vsem podjetjem z naložbami nad določenim pragom, to je nad povprečjem naložb, ustvarjenih v prejšnjih letih v občinah, ki so jih določile italijanske oblasti, od katerih so nekatere zelo velike, imajo veliko prebivalcev in so gospodarsko zelo razvite (na primer Milan, Turin, Genova).
It is clear that many aid recipients did not suffer direct damage, and there is no definite proof of indirect damage.
Jasno je, da niso vsi prejemniki pomoči utrpeli neposredne škode in tudi posredne škode ni mogoče z gotovostjo dokazati.
There is no evidence either that any damage was caused solely by the natural disasters referred to by the Italian authorities.
Prav tako ni nobenega dokaza, da so morebitno škodo povzročile izključno naravne nesreče, ki jih omenjajo italijanske oblasti.
The aid mechanism and the amount granted to each recipient bear no relation to the damage actually suffered but depend on the volume of investments carried out in a given period, the volume of investments in preceding years and the existence of a taxable income.
Mehanizem in znesek pomoči, dodeljen posameznim upravičencem, nista v nikakršni povezavi z dejansko škodo, temveč sta odvisna od obsega naložb, ustvarjenih v določenem obdobju, od obsega naložb, ustvarjenih v prejšnjih letih in od obdavčljivega dohodka.
Under such conditions, even if the recipient suffered damage caused by the natural disasters at issue, the amount of aid may exceed the amount of damage.
V takih okoliščinah in ob predpostavki, da je upravičenec dejansko utrpel škodo zaradi naravnih nesreč, obseg pomoči lahko presega obseg škode.
It must therefore be concluded that the formal investigation procedure has not allayed the Commission’s doubts and that the scheme in question constitutes aid which is incompatible with the common market.
Sledi torej ugotovitev, da formalni postopek preiskave ni razblinil dvomov Komisije in da je shema pomoči v obravnavanem ukrepu nezdružljiva s skupnim trgom.
In their letter of 10 September 2004, the Italian authorities stated, however, that they would ask the firms for certificates or statements so that they could ascertain the actual damage suffered by each firm and subsequently carry out any checks necessary.
V dopisu z dne 10. septembra 2004 so italijanske oblasti pojasnile, da bodo zaradi preverjanja dejanske škode zahtevale od posameznih podjetij ustrezna dokazila ali izjave in da so pozneje možne ustrezne kontrole.
It cannot be ruled out that, in certain specific cases, the aid granted under the scheme satisfies the conditions for being regarded as compatible with the common market.
Ni mogoče namreč izključiti, da pomoč, dodeljena na podlagi obravnavane sheme, v posebnih primerih uveljavljanja ukrepa izpolnjuje pogoje o združljivosti s skupnim trgom.
The Italian authorities may therefore check each recipient firm in order to verify the existence of a clear and direct link between the natural disasters in question and the State aid intended to make good the damage.
Zato se italijanska uprava lahko odloči, da od primera do primera preveri vsakega prejemnika pomoči in ugotovi, ali je med obravnavanimi naravnimi nesrečami in državno pomočjo, namenjeno povračilu povzročene škode, jasna in neposredna povezava.
This must make it possible to rule out with certainty any overcompensation for damage suffered by individual firms.
Taka preverjanja morajo z gotovostjo pokazati, da niso posamezna oškodovana podjetja deležna prekomerne kompenzacije.
In order to rule out any overcompensation, the Italian authorities must require insurance payments to recipients to be deducted from the aid granted to them.
Italijanske oblasti morajo v izogib prekomerni kompenzaciji zahtevati, da se upravičencem od zavarovalnine odbije znesek dodeljene pomoči.
They must also ensure there is no cumulation of aid under the scheme in question with aid under other measures in order to avoid any overcompensation for damage.
Poleg tega morajo italijanske oblasti preveriti in v izogib prekomerne kompenzacije škode preprečiti kumuliranje pomoči, dodeljene po shemi, in pomoči iz drugih vrst ukrepov.
This Decision concerns the scheme as such and must be enforced forthwith, in particular through recovery of aid granted unlawfully and declared incompatible with the common market.
Ta odločba se nanaša na shemo kot tako in zahteva takojšnje izvajanje, zlasti kar zadeva vračila nezakonito dodeljene in s skupnim trgom nezdružljive pomoči.
The Commission notes that a negative decision on an aid scheme does not prejudge the possibility that certain aid granted under the same scheme need not be regarded as State aid or may be considered compatible with the common market owing to its particular characteristics (e.g. because the individual grant is covered by the de minimis rules or because aid is granted under a decision declaring the aid compatible or under an exemption regulation).
Komisija navaja, da negativna odločba o neki shemi pomoči ne prejudicira možnosti, da se glede na nekatere specifične značilnosti priznajo kot državna pomoč določene ugodnosti, dodeljene na podlagi iste sheme, oziroma da so združljive s skupnim trgom (na primer, če se za posamezno pomoč uporabljajo pravila de minimis ali če je pomoč dodeljena po odločbi, ki ji priznava združljivost, oziroma na podlagi uredb o odstopanjih).
The Commission finds that Italy has unlawfully implemented the aid in question in breach of Article 88(3) of the Treaty.
Komisija ugotavlja, da je Italija nezakonito izvajala obravnavani ukrep o pomoči in s tem kršila člen 88(3) Pogodbe.
On the basis of its assessment, the Commission finds that the scheme in question is incompatible with the common market since it does not satisfy the necessary conditions for exemption as aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences under Article 87(2)(b), the only derogation claimed by Italy.
Komisija na podlagi opravljene ocene ugotavlja, da je obravnavana shema pomoči nezdružljiva s skupnim trgom, ker ne izpolnjuje pogojev, da bi bila – kot pomoč namenjena odpravi škode zaradi naravnih in drugih nesreč – upravičena do odstopanja iz člena 87(2)(b), tj. edinega odstopanja, ki ga Italija uveljavlja.
Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/99 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty [12] provides that, where negative decisions are taken in cases of unlawful aid, the Commission is to decide that the Member State concerned must take all necessary measures to recover the aid from the beneficiary.
V skladu s členom 14 Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 659/99 z dne 22. marca 1999 o načinu uporabe člena 93 Pogodbe ES [12], Komisija v primeru negativnih odločb v zvezi z nezakonito pomočjo sprejme odločbo, s katero ukaže prizadeti državi članici, da sprejme vse potrebne ukrepe in od upravičenca izterja vračilo dodeljene pomoči.
The Commission is not to require recovery of the aid if this would be contrary to a general principle of Community law.
Komisija ne predpiše izterjave pomoči, če je to v nasprotju s katerim od splošnih načel prava Skupnosti.
Recovery in the present case is not contrary to any principle.
V tem konkretnem primeru izterjava ni v nasprotju z nobenim načelom.
The Commission also notes that neither the Italian authorities nor the recipients have invoked such principles.
Komisija še navaja, da se niso niti italijanske oblasti niti upravičenci sklicevali na taka načela.
Italy must take all necessary measures to recover the aid from the recipients, with the exception of individual cases which, in accordance with paragraphs 50, 51 and 52 of this Decision, satisfy the conditions for compatibility with the common market under the derogation in Article 87(2)(b) of the Treaty.
Italija mora sprejeti vse potrebne ukrepe za izterjavo pomoči, ki so jo upravičenci prejeli po shemi, razen v posameznih primerih, ki v skladu z odstopanjem iz člena 87(2)(b) Pogodbe izpolnjujejo pogoje o združljivosti s skupnim trgom po točkah 50, 51 in 52 te obrazložitve.
To that end, Italy must require the aid recipients to repay the aid within two months of notification of this Decision.
Italija mora v ta namen ukazati prejemnikom pomoči, da jo vrnejo v dveh mesecih od datuma uradnega obvestila o tej odločbi.
The aid to be recovered must include interest calculated in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 of 21 April 2004 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty [13].
Pomoč je treba izterjati z obrestmi vred, izračunanimi v skladu z Uredbo Komisije (ES) št. 794/2004 z dne 21. aprila 2004 o izvajanju člena 93 Pogodbe ES v skladu s predpisi iz Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 659/1999 [13].
Italy must send to the Commission an appropriate form reporting progress in recovering the aid, must draw up a list of the recipients concerned by the recovery and must specify clearly the actual measures taken to effect immediate and effective recovery of the aid.
Italija mora na ustreznem obrazcu poslati Komisiji poročilo o stanju izterjave pomoči in seznam dolžnikov ter jasno opredeljenih konkretnih ukrepov, sprejetih za takojšnjo in učinkovito izterjavo pomoči.
In addition, it must, within two months of the notification of this Decision, send the documents proving that recovery of the unlawful and incompatible aid from the recipients is under way (e.g. circulars, recovery orders issued, etc.),
Poleg tega mora Italija poslati v dveh mesecih od datuma uradnega obvestila o tej odločbi dokazno dokumentacijo o začetih postopkih izterjave nezakonito dodeljene in s skupnim trgom nezdružljive pomoči (na primer okrožnice, izdane odredbe o izterjavi itn.) –
The scheme for granting State aid to firms that carried out investments in the municipalities affected by natural disasters in 2002 and listed in Article 5(e) of Decree-Law No 282 of 24 December 2002, which was converted into Law No 27 of 21 February 2003 and prolongs for certain firms the benefits provided for in Article 4(1) of Law No 383 of 18 October 2001, was unlawfully implemented by Italy in breach of Article 88(3) of the Treaty and is incompatible with the common market, without prejudice to Article 3.
Shema državne pomoči, namenjena podjetjem z naložbami v občinah, ki so jih leta 2002 prizadele naravne nesreče, navedene v členu 5e zakonskega odloka št. 282 z dne 24. decembra 2002, kakor je bil spremenjen v zakon št. 27 z dne 21. februarja 2003, ki za nekatera podjetja podaljšuje rok dodeljevanja ugodnosti po členu 4(1) zakona št. 383 z dne 18. oktobra 2001, in ki jo je Italija nezakonito izvajala ter pri tem razen v določbah člena 3 kršila člen 88(3) Pogodbe, je nezdružljiva s skupnim trgom.