natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Approval of the plan by the Commission would only prolong a long-standing distortion of the market and shift the financial difficulties onto the companies which have already restructured, in particular medium-sized, privately funded businesses, even confronting some of them with insurmountable difficulties.
Odobritev načrta s strani Komisije bi tako samo podaljšala že stare motnje na trgu in gospodarske težave prenesla na podjetja, ki so že uresničila svoja prizadevanja za prestrukturiranje, še zlasti srednje velika podjetja v zasebni lasti, nekatera izmed njih pa bi celo pahnila v nepremostljive težave.
Regarding state interference. The delays in restructuring ABX are to a large extent the result of continued interference by SNCB in the daily running of ABX and the fact that members of ABX's board of directors are appointed for political reasons.
Glede vmešavanja države: Zamude pri prestrukturiranju ABX naj bi bile v veliki meri povezane s stalnim poseganjem SNCB v vsakodnevno upravljanje ABX in politično imenovanje članov upravnega odbora ABX.
Some interested parties point out the lack of transparency in the selection of directors both in the ABX Logistics group and, therefore, in ABX Logistics Worldwide.
Nekatere zainteresirane stranke opozarjajo na pomanjkanje transparentnosti pri izbiranju članov upravnega odbora ABX Logistics Group in upravnega odbora ABX Logistics Worldwide.
These directors are appointed in a discretionary way by the management of SNCB based on political criteria, which prevents the company being managed autonomously.
Ti člani upravnega odbora naj bi bili imenovani po prosti presoji vodstva SNCB po političnih merilih, kar naj bi preprečevalo vsakršno avtonomijo pri upravljanju podjetja.
It was noted in particular that management decisions are taken for ABX either by the Council of Ministers or the management of SNCB, and that it cannot be claimed that ABX has been managed by its own executive committee.
Zlasti je bilo omenjeno, da naj bi odločitve na področju upravljanja ABX sprejemal bodisi svet ministrov, bodisi vodstvo SNCB, in da ni mogoče trditi, da ABX vodi lasten izvršni odbor.
Regarding the restructuring of the subsidiary in France. The sum needed to refinance this subsidiary has been underestimated.
Glede prestrukturiranja hčerinske družbe v Franciji: Znesek potrebnega refinanciranja je podcenjen.
The original plan underestimates the level of aid required simply to balance the losses incurred since the network of ABX subsidiaries was set up.
Prvotni načrt podcenjuje obseg pomoči, ki je potrebna samo za odpravo izgub, ki so nastale po ustanovitvi mreže hčerinskih družb ABX.
Overall, the business recovery forecasts are unrealistic and cannot be achieved without subsequent additional aid, and without capturing the market to the detriment of competitors through a policy of market disruption.
V celoti gledano naj bi bila pričakovanja glede ponovne oživitve dejavnosti nerealna in naj bi jih bilo nemogoče uresničiti brez naknadne dodatne pomoči in osvojitve trga na škodo konkurentov s politiko, ki povzroča zmedo na trgu.
Regarding the privatisation of ABX. Some interested parties called for ABX to be privatised.
Glede privatizacije ABX: Nekatere zainteresirane stranke so zahtevale privatizacijo ABX.
One criticism voiced is that this privatisation is merely a plan, without any signs to indicate that such a sale is actually going to be made.
Nasprotniki tega navajajo, da je takšna privatizacija samo predvidena in da ni nobenih znakov, ki bi kazali na dejansko uresničitev takšne prodaje.
Regarding the purchase and expansion of the ABX network. The third parties mentioned above feel that ABX has operated in the parcel delivery and logistics services sector since 1998 through illegal state aids which have seriously distorted competition on the market.
Glede nakupa in razširitve mreže ABX: Zgoraj navedene tretje strani menijo, da je delovanje ABX v sektorju prevozništva in logističnih storitev od leta 1998 potekalo z nezakonito državno pomočjo, ki je resno izkrivila konkurenco na trgu.
It was only possible to create the ABX network because of massive sums of state aid granted by SNCB.
Ustanovitev mreže ABX naj bi bila mogoča le z obsežno državno pomočjo, ki jo je dodelila SNCB.
The following is a list of arguments put forward by a second group of interested third parties, namely 6.
Nadalje so navedeni argumenti druge skupine zainteresiranih tretjih strani, in sicer: 6.
ABX Logistics — representatives of the German group ABX Logistics. Their arguments are summarised below.
ABX Logistics – predstavniki nemške skupine ABX Logistics, katerih argumenti sovpadajo in so povzeti spodaj.
The interested parties made several comments on the situation of ABX's employees.
Zainteresirane stranke so izrazile več pripomb o položaju zaposlenih v ABX.
They point out that several hundred employees have already been affected by earlier social plans in France and that jobs in logistics are under threat.
Opozarjajo, da so več sto zaposlenih prizadeli že prejšnji socialni načrti v Franciji in da so delovna mesta v logistični dejavnosti ogrožena.
The representatives of the German subsidiary note also that around 4000 jobs have been lost since 1998, and that 2000 related sub-contracting jobs have also been cut.
Predstavniki nemške hčerinske družbe opozarjajo tudi na zmanjšanje za okoli 4000 zaposlenih po letu 1998, katerim je treba prišteti še z njimi povezanih 2000 podizvajalcev.
In addition they point out that ABX is on the verge of being privatised and that the work done to this end should not be undone.
Poleg tega se opozarja, da bo ABX privatiziran in da se prizadevanja za to ne bi smela uničiti.
The National Federation of Transport Unions CGT calls more specifically for the creation of a mandatory social pricing policy in order to fight ‘economic dumping’ which appears to be practised by ABX's competitors in France.
Fédération Nationale des Syndicats de Transport CGT natančneje zahteva uvedbo obvezne socialne tarifikacije za boj proti „gospodarskemu dampingu“, ki ga očitno izvajajo konkurenti ABX v Franciji.
However, the Royal Belgian Road Hauliers' Federation (FRBT) points out that ABX cooperated by voluntarily showing it its books.
Vendar združenje belgijskih prevoznikov Fédération Royale Belge des Transporteurs (FRBT) poudarja, da je ABX znal izkazati pripravljenost za sodelovanje, ko mu je prostovoljno omogočil vpogled v svoje poslovne knjige.
The FRBT can therefore confirm that current rules on licences and vehicle insurance are complied with.
FRBT tako lahko trdi, da se veljavni predpisi v zvezi z licencami in zavarovanjem vozil upoštevajo.
It is also noted that the management of ABX (Belgium) S.A. sent the Commission, after the deadline for comments to be submitted, a petition from drivers working in ABX Belgium's various regional distribution centres explicitly calling for a positive decision in the ABX restructuring case.
Med drugim je opozorjeno, da je vodstvo ABX (Belgium) S.A. Komisiji po roku, določenem za predložitev pripomb, poslalo peticijo šoferjev, ki delajo v različnih območnih distribucijskih centrih ABX Belgium, v kateri izrecno prosijo za ugodno odločitev v zadevi o prestrukturiranju ABX.
Extension of the procedure
Razširitev postopka
The following interested parties have separately and independently submitted the following observations with the aim of extending the procedure.
Glede razširitve postopka so naslednje zainteresirane stranke ločeno in neodvisno predložile naslednje pripombe.
Firstly the arguments of an initial group of third parties are presented, namely 1.
Najprej so navedeni argumenti prve skupine zainteresiranih tretjih strani, in sicer: 1.
‘HALTE’; 2.
„HALTE“, 2.
BCA — Belgian Courrier Association; 4.
BCA – Belgian Courrier Association, 4.
Febetra (Royal Belgian Federation of Carriers and Logistics Service Providers); 6.
Febetra (Federation Royale Belge des Transporteurs et des Prestataires de Services Logistiques), 6.
SAV — the Royal Professional Association of Freight Transporters in the Flemish Region and Brussels Capital Region. Their arguments are summarised below.
SAV – Koninklijke Beroepsvereninging Goederenvervoerders Vlaams Gewest en Brusselse Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, katerih argumenti sovpadajo in so povzeti spodaj.
These parties essentially express their doubts regarding the compatibility of aid received by ABX and call for fair competition conditions to be restored, in particular in the light of the increase in aid notified and taking account of the considerable share of this highly competitive market held by ABX, particularly in Germany.
Te stranke v glavnem izražajo dvome o združljivosti pomoči, ki jo je prejel ABX, in zahtevajo ponovno vzpostavitev enakih konkurenčnih pogojev. To pa zlasti ob upoštevanju povečanja priglašenih pomoči in ob upoštevanju pomembnega položaja, ki ga ima ABX na trgih, kjer vlada ostra konkurenca, še zlasti v Nemčiji.
Any aid approved should, however, be accompanied by sufficient concessions from ABX.
Morebitno odobritev pomoči bi morali kljub temu spremljati zadostni izravnalni ukrepi s strani ABX.
Regarding the sale of part of ABX France, the parties call for checks to ensure the sale was made without giving rise to new aid payments.
Kar zadeva prodajo dela ABX France, te stranke zahtevajo, da se preveri, ali pri tej prodaji ni bilo novih izplačil pomoči.
Selling ABX is considered a positive step provided that it is done in line with market conditions. However, the sale should only lead the Commission to take a less severe decision regarding the aid received by ABX if it is not sold.
Prodaja ABX velja za pozitiven korak, če poteka pod tržnimi pogoji, vendar takšna prodaja Komisije ne bi smela voditi k sprejetju manj stroge odločitve glede pomoči za ABX, kot bi jo sprejela, če do prodaje ne bi prišlo.
Furthermore, Mr Ziegler indicated that one repayment of a EUR 140 million loan granted to ABX was not made, that there is a risk that ABX will be given an advantage when the ABX group is privatised given the conditions of this privatisation, that SNCB did not go through with the sale of ABX-France, that it is unrealistic to restructure ABX under current management and business strategy conditions and that the impact of ABX going bankrupt would be significant.
Sicer pa g. Ziegler navaja, da napovedano povračilo posojila v višini 140 milijonov EUR v korist ABX ni bilo izvedeno, da obstaja bojazen, da bo ABX med privatizacijo skupine ABX ob upoštevanju pogojev te privatizacije deležen ugodnosti, da SNCB ni začela s prodajo ABX France, da se prestrukturiranje ABX v trenutnih upravljavskih in strateških razmerah v podjetju ne zdi realno in da bi imel stečaj ABX velike posledice.
The following is a list of arguments put forward by a second group of interested third parties, namely 1.
Nadalje so navedeni argumenti druge skupine zainteresiranih tretjih strani, in sicer: 1.
Eddy Ommeslag. Their arguments are summarised below.
Eddy Ommeslag, katerih argumenti sovpadajo in so povzeti spodaj.
Most of these third parties indicated that they did not wish the Commission to jeopardise the jobs of thousands of subcontractors working for ABX by adopting a negative decision.
Te tretje strani so večinoma navedle, da ne želijo, da bi Komisija z morebitno negativno odločitvijo ogrozila zaposlitev tisočih podizvajalcev, ki delajo za ABX.
Cool Jet stated that the activities acquired in the MBO could be viable following recovery, and that this should be carried out in line with a detailed strategic plan of action within 3 years of work resuming; the sale price takes account of reasonably expected and budgeted losses; the activities taken over do not account for a significant market share (1,5 % of the parcel and express delivery market in France) and lastly that Cool Jet employs 1300 people, jobs which would have been lost if Cool Jet had not been able to purchase the activities in question.
Cool Jet navaja, da dejavnosti, kupljene v postopku odkupa podjetja s strani zaposlenih, lahko postanejo sposobne preživetja po sanaciji, to sanacijo pa bi bilo treba izvesti po natančnem strateškem načrtu v treh letih po oživitvi dejavnosti; prodajna cena upošteva razumno pričakovane in v proračunu predvidene izgube; oživljene dejavnosti nimajo velikega tržnega deleža (1,5 % trga prevozništva in hitrih pošiljk v Franciji) in nazadnje, da družba Cool Jet zaposluje 1300 delavcev, njihova delovna mesta pa bi bila izgubljena, če Cool Jet ne bi mogel pridobiti zadevnih dejavnosti.
However, UPTR states that it was able to access ABX's books in all transparency and notes the group's improved results. The group became profitable at operational level for the first time in 2004.
Sicer pa UPTR navaja, da mu je bil omogočen popolnoma pregleden vpogled v poslovne knjige ABX, in ugotavlja izboljšanje rezultatov skupine, ki je bila na operativni ravni prvič donosna leta 2004.
UPTR encourages the Commission to take a decision quickly in order to enable ABX to be privatised, thereby ensuring the stability of a loyal operator whose presence benefits the Belgian road transport sector.
UPTR spodbuja Komisijo, naj se hitro odloči in tako omogoči privatizacijo ABX, ki bo zagotovila stabilnost lojalnega akterja, katerega prisotnost ugodno vpliva na belgijski sektor cestnega prevoza.
The Commission also received, after the procedural deadlines, a complaint regarding the sale of ABX-WW claiming that SNCB Holding did not comply with the conditions of a transparent, open and non-discriminatory procedure when privatising ABX Logistics and thereby deterred the investors lodging the complaint.
Komisija je po preteku postopkovnega roka prejela tudi pritožbo v zvezi s prodajo ABX-WW, po kateri SNCB Holding ni upošteval pogojev transparentnega, odprtega in nediskriminacijskega postopka za privatizacijo ABX Logistics in naj bi tako zavrnil tožeče vlagatelje.
Initiating and extending the procedure
Sprožitev in razširitev postopka
The basic points made in Belgium's comments regarding the initiation and extension of the procedure are mainly set out in the descriptive section.
Bistveni elementi pripomb Belgije glede sprožitve in razširitve postopka so vključeni predvsem v opisni del.
The other points are summarised below.
Drugi elementi so predvsem povzeti spodaj.
Regarding the imputability of some actions to the Belgian State. The Belgian authorities have pointed out throughout this case that the Belgian State was in no way involved within the meaning of the Court of Justice's Stardust decision in SNCB's decision-making regarding ABX Logistics.
Glede pripisovanja nekaterih ukrepov belgijski državi: Belgijski organi so skozi vso zadevo navajali, da država Belgija ni bila vpletena v postopek odločanja družbe SNCB glede ABX Logistics v smislu sodne prakse Sodišča v zadevi Stardust.
They also reiterated that the onus is on the Commission to prove any such imputability.
Prav tako so opozorili, da mora takšno vpletenost po potrebi dokazati Komisija.
Regarding investments in ABX, the Belgian authorities have repeated throughout the proceeding that the State did not intervene in decisions taken by SNCB.
Glede naložb v ABX so belgijski organi skozi ves postopek ponavljali, da država ni posredovala pri sprejemanju odločitev družbe SNCB.
Regarding the press release from the Council of Ministers of 22 February 2002, the Belgian authorities pointed out that:
Belgijski organi so glede sporočila za javnost Sveta ministrov z dne 22. februarja 2002 opozorili:
‘the public authorities cannot legally impose decisions or guidelines on the managing bodies of autonomous public companies (such as the SNCB) in matters which do not concern their public service task (such as the management of ABX Logistics)’.
„da javni organi ne morejo pravno naložiti odločitev ali smernic organom upravljanja samostojnih javnih podjetij (kot SNCB) v zadevah, ki ne sodijo v okvir njihovih nalog javne službe (kot upravljanje ABX LOGISTICS)“.
‘in the press release of 22 February 2002 the Council of Ministers merely expressed its support for some guidelines on the restructuring of ABX Logistics (guidelines which in any case were not finally accepted by SNCB's board of directors, except for one which it had already adopted itself before 22 February 2002)’.
„da je v sporočilu za javnost z dne 22. februarja 2002 Svet ministrov samo izrazil podporo nekaterim smernicam glede prestrukturiranja ABX LOGISTICS (smernice, ki jih upravni odbor SNCB sicer ni upošteval, razen ene, ki jo je sam sprejel že pred 22. februarjem 2002)“.
‘the fact that at their inter-cabinet meetings or on other occasions the public authorities were made aware of reports or studies pertaining to SNCB and ABX Logistics is simply the normal behaviour of a shareholder who ensures that he keeps abreast of the major developments in his investments’.
„da je dejstvo, da so se javni organi na medresorskih srečanjih ali ob drugih priložnostih seznanili s poročili ali študijami o SNCB in ABX LOGISTICS, del običajnega ravnanja delničarja, ki skrbno sledi glavnim gibanjem svoje naložbe“.
Reply from the Belgian authorities on the observations made by third parties
Odgovor belgijskih organov na pripombe tretjih oseb
In response to the observations made by the interested parties regarding the selection of directors on the basis of their political affiliation, the Belgian authorities state that the operations of ABX Logistics do not concern SNCB's public service tasks.
Belgijski organi so v odgovor na pripombe zainteresiranih strani o izboru članov Upravnega odbora glede na njihovo politično pripadnost navedli, da dejavnosti ABX Logistics ne zadevajo nalog javne službe SNCB.
These activities, and management of them, therefore come completely under the autonomous management of the SNCB.
Te dejavnosti in njihovo upravljanje naj bi torej v celoti sodili v okvir neodvisnega upravljanja družbe SNCB.
Consequently, the procedure for appointing directors for ABX Logistics is simply that laid down in Belgian law for every public limited company to which that law applies.
Iz tega sledi, da se postopek imenovanja članov Upravnega odbora ABX Logistics ne razlikuje od tistega, ki je predpisan z belgijskim zakonom za vsako delniško družbo, ki jo ureja ta zakon.
The appointment of directors to ABX Logistics or its subsidiaries thus complies with transparent procedures laid down in law, and is therefore not done arbitrarily on the basis of political affiliation.
Člani Upravnega odbora ABX Logistics ali njegovih hčerinskih družb naj bi bili imenovani po preglednih postopkih, predpisanih z zakonom, in torej ne bi bilo rezultat samovoljne odločitve glede na politično pripadnost.
Regarding the funding of the ABX Logistics network. The Belgian authorities confirm that SNCB's balance sheet structure was healthy until 2001 and that the consolidated result was in the black between 1998 and 1999.
Glede financiranja mreže ABX Logistics: Belgijski organi zatrjujejo, da je bila struktura bilance družbe SNCB do leta 2001 zdrava in da je bil konsolidirani poslovni izid pozitiven med letoma 1998 in 1999.
Belgium's arguments regarding the (re)investments. In addition to the indications from the Belgian authorities regarding the (re)investments as summarised in the statement of facts, the Belgian authorities also point out that SNCB's timely intervention regarding the subsidiaries in question (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, Belgium) is in line with the principle of the private investor in a market economy.
Argumenti Belgije glede (ponovnih) naložb: Belgijski organi poleg navedb glede (ponovnih) naložb, kot so povzete v predstavitvi dejstev, tudi navajajo, da je posebna intervencija družbe SNCB v zvezi z zadevnimi hčerinskimi družbami (Nemčija, Francija, Nizozemska, Irska, Portugalska, Belgija) povsem združljiva z načelom zasebnega vlagatelja v tržnem gospodarstvu.
What is more, it should be noted that the interventions concerning ABX Logistics Singapore are not covered by Article 87 of the Treaty.
Poleg tega bomo videli, da intervencije glede ABX LOGISTICS Singapour ne sodijo v področje uporabe člena 87 Pogodbe.
Regarding the comments made by third parties on the extension of the procedure, the Belgian authorities point out that in their previous reactions they have already responded to comments which only echo the Commission's misgivings.
Belgijski organi v zvezi s pripombami tretjih oseb glede razširitve postopka navajajo, da so že v prejšnjih odgovorih odgovorili na pripombe, ki samo ponavljajo dvome Komisije.
Regarding the statement by Mr Robert Ziegler, the Belgian authorities state that the Commission has been notified of the temporary loan of EUR 140 million and the new measure aimed at capitalising this loan.
Glede intervencije Roberta Zieglerja belgijski organi navajajo, da sta bila začasno posojilo v višini 140 milijonov EUR in tudi nov ukrep za kapitalizacijo tega posojila priglašena Komisiji.
Neither SNCB nor ABX can make any commitment pending approval.
SNCB ali ABX med čakanjem na odobritev ne moreta sprejeti obveznosti.
The same applies to the contribution of EUR 157,4 million of own funds for restructuring ABX-Germany as well as for the other notified measures.
Isto velja za vložek 157,4 milijona EUR v lastni kapital za prestrukturiranje ABX Nemčija in druge priglašene ukrepe.
Regarding the potential advantage which ABX could gain through being privatised, the Belgian authorities refer to the ‘fairness opinion’ prepared by KPMG and sent to the Commission which indicates that ‘the terms of the proposed sale to [Yvan] are fair and reasonable and represent fair market value’.
V zvezi z morebitno ugodnostjo, ki bi jo ABX dobil s privatizacijo, se belgijski organi sklicujejo na „fairness opinion“, ki ga je pripravil KPMG in je bilo poslano Komisiji in ki navaja, da „the terms of the proposed sale to [Yvan] are fair and reasonable and represent fair market value“ („so pogoji prodaje, predlagane [Yvanu], pošteni in razumni ter predstavljajo pošteno tržno vrednost“).
Regarding the alleged failure to sell ABX France, the Belgian authorities note that they indicated which parts were sold.
Belgijski organi glede domnevne neprodaje ABX Francija opozarjajo, da so navedli, kateri so prodani deli.
Regarding the conditions of this sale, they refer in particular to the report by Ernst & Young which states that ‘the price valuation for Road Domestic Transport Activities amounting to (…) is fair’.
Glede pogojev te prodaje se sklicujejo zlasti na poročilo Ernst & Young, po katerem „the price valuation for Road Domestic Transport Activities amounting to (…) is fair“ („je vrednotenje cene dejavnosti notranjega cestnega prevoza, ki znaša (…), pošteno“).
Finally, regarding the question on the consequences of the possible bankruptcy of the ABX group, the Belgian authorities can only stress the serious consequences both for ABX Logistics Worldwide and for SNCB Holding were the Commission to adopt even a partially negative decision.
Nazadnje lahko belgijski organi o vprašanju glede posledic morebitnega stečaja skupine ABX samo poudarijo hude posledice celo samo delno negativne odločitve Komisije za ABX LOGISTICS Worldwide in tudi SNCB Holding.
Sale of ABX-WW. According to the Belgian authorities, SNCB Holding was under no obligation to privatise ABX Logistics Worldwide by issuing an invitation to tender.
Prodaja ABX-WW: Po mnenju belgijskih organov SNCB Holding nikakor ni bil dolžan privatizirati ABX Logistics Worldwide z javnim razpisom.
The Belgian authorities point out that close examination of the Commission's state aid practices relating to privatisations shows that, in the absence of an invitation to tender, the Commission only checks that assets are sold at market price on the basis of an assessment by an independent expert.
Belgijski organi navajajo, da preučitev prakse Komisije na področju državnih pomoči, kar zadeva privatizacije, kaže, da Komisija, če ni bilo javnega razpisa, samo preveri, ali se premoženje prodaja po tržni ceni na podlagi ocene neodvisnega izvedenca.