natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
On those grounds the Commission found that the Decree of 18 May 2001 constituted a new implementation or refinancing of the aid measure in question through the funds of the Fondo centrale per il credito peschereccio.
Komisija zato meni, da je uredba z dne 18. maja 2001 pomenila novo izvršitev ali refinanciranje zadevnega ukrepa pomoči s sredstvi iz osrednjega sklada za posojila v ribištvu.
On the other hand, by letter of 12 March 2003, Italy informed the Commission that the Regions rather than the Ministry now had powers for the implementation of that measure and that the funds from the Fondo centrale per il credito peschereccio had therefore been transferred to them.
Po drugi strani je Italija z dopisom z dne 12. marca 2003 sporočila, da izvajanje tega ukrepa ni več v pristojnosti ministra, ampak dežel, na katere so se v ta namen prenesla sredstva iz osrednjega sklada za posojila v ribištvu.
Italy also attached to the letter of 1 July 2004 two letters from the Regions of Sicily and Apulia concerning the aid measures implemented under the scheme at issue: in respect of Sicily a letter of 19 June 2004 which stated that that measure had been put into effect by decree of the regional minister for fisheries No 158 of 3 December 2003 and, in respect of Apulia, a letter of 19 May 2004 stating that the measure had been implemented by a dossier which had been submitted to the Region in 2001; Apulia’s letter also stated that the financial resources for 2003 had been received only at the end of the same year.
Poleg tega je Italija dopisu z dne 1. julija 2004 priložila dve sporočili iz dežel Sicilije in Apulije v zvezi z ukrepi pomoči, izvedenimi v okviru zadevne sheme: za Sicilijo dopis z dne 19. junija 2004, v katerem je bilo zapisano, da se je tak ukrep izvedel po odloku Odbora za ribištvo št. 158 z dne 3. decembra 2003, in za Apulijo dopis z dne 19. maja 2004, v katerem je bilo pojasnjeno, da je bil ukrep izveden na podlagi dokumentov, ki jih je dežela prejela v letu 2001; v dopisu Apulije je bilo še navedeno, da so finančna sredstva za leto 2003 prejeli šele konec istega leta.
Italy did not, however, provide any information on the amount of the funds used under that scheme.
Ne glede na to Italija ni predložila nobenih informacij o znesku sredstev, uporabljenih v okviru te sheme.
In any event, those letters confirmed that some of those funds were made available by the Regions, in accordance with Article 8 of the Decree of 18 May 2001, which means that that aid scheme had in fact been put into effect.
V vsakem primeru sta navedena dopisa potrdila, da so bila nekatera sredstva dana na razpolago deželam v skladu s členom 8 uredbe z dne 18. maja 2001, kar pomeni, da se je ta shema pomoči dejansko izvedla.
In addition, the Commission found that if, as maintained by Italy, an existing aid scheme were at issue and the Decree of 18 May 2001 did not alter that scheme, the aid scheme notified became a new aid scheme on 1 July 2001.
Poleg tega Komisija meni, da je priglašena shema pomoči postala nova shema pomoči dne 1. julija 2001, če je res šlo za obstoječo shemo pomoči, kot trdi Italija, in če uredba z dne 18. maja 2001 ni spremenila te sheme.
In fact, that aid scheme had been approved in the light of the Guidelines for the examination of State aid to fisheries and aquaculture [3], adopted by the Commission in 1997 (the 1997 Fisheries Guidelines).
Pravzaprav je bila ta shema pomoči odobrena ob upoštevanju smernic za pregled državnih pomoči za ribištvo in ribogojstvo, ki jih je Komisija sprejela leta 1997 (v nadaljnjem besedilu smernice za ribištvo iz leta 1997) [3].
On 1 January 2001 those Fisheries Guidelines were replaced by the Guidelines for the examination of State aid to fisheries and aquaculture [4] (the 2001 Fisheries Guidelines).
januarja 2001 so bile te smernice za ribištvo nadomeščene s smernicami za pregled državnih pomoči za ribištvo in ribogojstvo (v nadaljnjem besedilu smernice za ribištvo iz leta 2001) [4].
It was specified that in the event that a Member State failed to reply, under the third paragraph of point 3.2 the Commission would assume that the Member State concerned had accepted the proposal.
Pojasnjeno je bilo, da bo Komisija v skladu s tretjim odstavkom točke 3.2, če ne bo odgovora, štela, da je zadevna država članica predlog sprejela.
On the other hand, point 3.4 of the 2001 Fisheries Guidelines states that an unlawful aid is to be appraised in accordance with the guidelines prevailing at the time of the entry into force of the administrative measure setting up the aid.
Po drugi strani je v točki 3.4 smernic za ribištvo iz leta 2001 določeno, da se vsaka nezakonita pomoč preuči skladno s smernicami, ki so veljale v času, ko je začel veljati upravni akt, ki uvaja pomoč.
The Commission therefore took the view that Italy had accepted that proposal and that the existing aid schemes would be amended by 1 July 2001 at the latest.
Komisija je torej menila, da je Italija sprejela predlog in da so bile obstoječe sheme pomoči spremenjene pred 1. julijem 2001.
According to the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, where new guidelines are set out and accepted by the Member States, the acceptance of appropriate measures has the effect of converting existing aid into new aid.
V skladu s sodno prakso Sodišča Evropskih skupnosti povzroči sprejetje ustreznih ukrepov, v primeru izvajanja novih smernic, ki jih sprejmejo države članice, preoblikovanje obstoječih pomoči v nove pomoči.
The existing aid must be adapted in accordance with the appropriate measures or converted into new aid schemes and subjected to the obligation of prior notification to the Commission [5].
Obstoječe sheme pomoči morajo biti usklajene z ustreznimi ukrepi ali preoblikovane v nove sheme pomoči in jih je treba predhodno priglasiti Komisiji. [5]
The provisions in the 2001 Fisheries Guidelines accepted by Italy therefore had the effect of withdrawing the authorisation previously granted to the aid not adapted to those Guidelines and of classifying it as new aid.
Učinek določb smernic za ribištvo iz leta 2001, ki jih je Italija sprejela, je bil torej odvzem dovoljenja, predhodno izdanega za pomoči, ki niso prilagojene tem smernicam, in njihova opredelitev kot nove pomoči.
This was the case with the aid for the restructuring of cooperatives.
Tako je bilo pri pomočeh za prestrukturiranje zadrug.
The 1997 Fisheries Guidelines did not lay down any specific provision on aid for the restructuring of firms in the fisheries sector; they contained, in the last indent of the last paragraph of point 1.3, only a provision stating that operating aid would be examined on a case-by-case basis if it was directly linked to a restructuring plan.
Pravzaprav smernice za ribištvo iz leta 1997 niso vsebovale nobene posebne določbe o pomočeh za prestrukturiranje podjetij ribiškega sektorja; v zadnji alinei zadnjega odstavka točke 1.3 so imele le določbo o tem, da bo vsaka pomoč za delovanje preučena posebej, če bo neposredno povezana z načrtom prestrukturiranja.
On the other hand, the 2001 Fisheries Guidelines contain a specific provision, in point 2.2.4, on aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty which provided for the application of the Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty [6] (the 1999 Restructuring Guidelines) in force on that date.
Smernice za ribištvo iz leta 2001 pa so v točki 2.2.4 vsebovale posebno določbo o pomočeh za reševanje in prestrukturiranje podjetij v težavah, ki je predvidevala uporabo smernic o državni pomoči za reševanje in prestrukturiranje podjetij v težavah (v nadaljnjem besedilu smernice za prestrukturiranje iz leta 1999), ki so veljale v tistem času [6].
Consequently, since, according to the wording of Italy’s first letter, the aid measure provided for by the Decree of 18 May 2001 was put into effect on 17 October 2002, it became an unlawful aid measure in respect of the period after 1 July 2001, the date fixed for the amendment of existing State aid schemes.
Ker je bil glede na pogoje iz prvega dopisa Italije z dne 17. oktobra 2002 ukrep pomoči, predviden v uredbi z dne 18. maja 2001, izveden, je ta po 1. juliju 2001, roku za spremembo obstoječih shem državnih pomoči, postal nezakonit ukrep pomoči.
Both the 2001 Fisheries Guidelines (point 2.2.4) and the 2004 Fisheries Guidelines (point 4.1.2) lay down that State aid aimed at rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty is to be assessed in accordance with the Restructuring Guidelines.
Tako smernice za ribištvo iz leta 2001 (točka 2.2.4) kot smernice za ribištvo iz leta 2004 (točka 4.1.2), določajo, da se pomoči, namenjene reševanju in prestrukturiranju podjetij v težavah, vrednotijo skladno s smernicami za prestrukturiranje.
In respect of aid granted up to 9 October 2004 the 1999 Restructuring Guidelines are to apply and in respect of aid granted from 10 October 2004 the Community Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty [8] of 2004 (the 2004 Restructuring Guidelines) are to apply.
Za pomoči, dodeljene do 9. oktobra 2004, se uporabljajo smernice za prestrukturiranje iz leta 1999, za tiste, dodeljene po 10. oktobru 2004, pa se uporabljajo smernice Skupnosti o državni pomoči za reševanje in prestrukturiranje podjetij v težavah [8] iz leta 2004 (v nadaljnjem besedilu smernice za prestrukturiranje iz leta 2004).
In specific cases of firms whose principal activity is fishing at sea, both the 2001 and the 2004 Fisheries Guidelines add that that aid may be granted only when a plan designed to reduce fleet capacity has been submitted to the Commission.
Za posebne primere podjetij, katerih glavna dejavnost je morsko ribištvo, smernice za ribištvo iz leta 2001 in iz leta 2004 dodajajo, da se sme te pomoči dodeliti samo, če je bil Komisiji predstavljen načrt za zmanjšanje zmogljivosti flote.
Those Fisheries Guidelines provide that only firms in difficulty are eligible for restructuring aid.
Te smernice za ribištvo predvidevajo, da so prejemniki pomoči za prestrukturiranje lahko samo podjetja v težavah.
Even firms which did not fulfil the criteria referred to in those Guidelines could therefore benefit from the aid granted by Italy.
Prejemniki pomoči, ki jih je Italija dodelila, so bila torej lahko tudi podjetja, ki niso izpolnjevala meril iz teh smernic.
Further, the Commission observed that it did not have information on fulfilment of some of the criteria for implementing restructuring plans referred to in the aforesaid Guidelines: criteria on the restoration of long-term viability of beneficiary cooperatives (points 31 to 34 of the 1999 Restructuring Guidelines and points 34 to 37 of the 2004 Restructuring Guidelines), adoption of compensatory measures when medium-sized firms benefit under that aid scheme (point 82(b) of the 2004 Restructuring Guidelines) or contribution of beneficiaries to the financial restructuring of the firm (point 40 of the 1999 Restructuring Guidelines and point 43 of the 2004 Restructuring Guidelines).
Poleg tega je Komisija ugotovila, da nima nobene informacije o izpolnjevanju nekaterih meril za izvršitev načrtov za prestrukturiranje iz zgoraj navedenih smernic: merila v zvezi s ponovno vzpostavitvijo dolgoročne donosnosti zadrug upravičenk (točke od 31 do 34 smernic za prestrukturiranje iz leta 1999 in točke od 34 do 37 smernic za prestrukturiranje iz leta 2004), sprejetjem izravnalnih ukrepov, ko je prejemnik sheme pomoči srednje veliko podjetje (točka 82(b) smernic za prestrukturiranje iz leta 2004), ali prispevkom prejemnikov k finančnemu prestrukturiranju podjetja (točka 40 smernic za prestrukturiranje iz leta 1999 in točka 43 smernic za prestrukturiranje iz leta 2004).
The Commission also observed that, for firms whose principal activity is fishing at sea, Italy had not submitted a plan designed to reduce fleet capacity.
Komisija je prav tako ugotovila, da za podjetja, katerih glavna dejavnost je ribištvo, Italija ni predložila nobenega načrta za zmanjšanje zmogljivosti flote.
For all of those reasons the Commission decided to initiate the formal investigation procedure.
Komisija se je zaradi vsega navedenega odločila začeti formalni postopek preiskave.
ITALY’S COMMENTS
PRIPOMBE ITALIJE
Italy states, first of all, that it put the aid at issue into effect entirely in good faith.
Italija najprej poudarja, da je zadevno pomoč izvedla povsem dobronamerno.
For Italy, the Decree of 18 May 2001 was merely a renewal of measure NN 24/98 already approved at Community level.
Za Italijo je uredba z dne 18. maja 2001 pomenila enostavno obnovitev ukrepa NN 24/98, že potrjenega na ravni Skupnosti.
It did not consider it to be an unlawful aid scheme.
Ni menila, da gre za nezakonito shemo pomoči.
In contradictory fashion, Italy also observes that the Directorate-General of Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture, like the Regions, to which powers were transferred in 2000, in no case made provision to implement interventions on the basis of that Decree.
Italija protislovno poudarja tudi, da generalni direktorat za morsko ribištvo in ribogojstvo, tako kot dežele, na katere je bila leta 2000 prenesena pristojnost, nikakor ni predvidel, da bo izvrševal ukrepe na podlagi navedene uredbe.
Italy states that strict criteria were laid down for the implementation of that aid scheme.
Italija sporoča, da so bila za izvajanje te sheme pomoči določena stroga merila.
In particular, a significant contribution was required from the beneficiary, to ensure that the aid was limited to the minimum needed to restore the viability of the firm, keeping distortions of competition to the minimum.
Od prejemnika se je zlasti zahteval znaten prispevek kot zagotovilo, da je pomoč omejena na minimum, ki je nujno potreben za ponovno vzpostavitev donosnosti podjetja, ob čim manjšem izkrivljanju konkurence.
Italy adds that a large part of the aid concerns training and technological innovation programmes; moreover, more than half of the funds paid were not non-repayable but were subject to a repayment obligation since they were long-term loans subject to a special guarantee scheme.
Italija dodaja, da se velik del pomoči namenja za programe usposabljanja in tehnološke inovacije; poleg tega več kot polovica nakazanih sredstev ni bila nepovratnih, ampak so jih morala podjetja vrniti, ker je šlo za dolgoročna posojila, za katera je veljala posebna jamstvena shema.
In addition, a calculation of the aid intensity showed that the latter was well below the de minimis aid threshold.
Poleg tega bi izračun intenzivnosti pomoči pokazal, da je ta precej pod pragom za pomoč de minimis.
Moreover, the principle of one-off payment was strictly observed.
Med drugim se dosledno upošteva načelo una tantum.
The purpose of that aid, in accordance with the requirements of the Restructuring Guidelines, is to enable beneficiaries to cover their own costs after restoration of long-term economic capacity.
V skladu z vsebino smernic za prestrukturiranje je cilj te pomoči prejemnikom omogočiti kritje stroškov po ponovni vzpostavitvi dolgoročne gospodarske uspešnosti.
In Italy’s opinion, that restructuring aid scheme serves to contribute to the development of economic activities without adversely affecting trade to an extent contrary to the Community interest by meeting the conditions set out in those Guidelines: restructuring of firms within a reasonable period of time, avoidance of distortions of competition, proportionality of the aid, the spreading of payments on the basis of the implementation of the restructuring plan of the firm concerned, monitoring of the implementation of that plan.
Italija meni, da taka shema pomoči za prestrukturiranje prispeva k razvoju gospodarskih dejavnosti, ne da bi ta na trgovino vplivala v nasprotju s skupnim interesom in je hkrati v skladu s pogoji, določenimi v zgoraj navedenih smernicah: sanacija podjetij v razumnem času, preprečitev izkrivljanja konkurence, sorazmernost pomoči, razporeditev plačil glede na napredovanje načrta za prestrukturiranje zadevnega podjetja ter nadzor nad izvajanjem načrta.
Italy concludes its observations by referring to the Communication from the Commission on improving the economic situation in the fishing industry of 9 March 2006 (the Communication of 9 March 2006) [9] and observes that the unfavourable economic situation in the fisheries sector has been aggravated by a rapid rise in fuel costs.
Italija zaključuje svoje pripombe s sklicem na sporočilo Komisije o izboljšanju gospodarskih razmer v ribiški industriji z dne 9. marca 2006 (v nadaljnjem besedilu sporočilo z dne 9. marca 2006) [9] in dodaja, da je neugodno konjunkturo v ribiškem sektorju poslabšal strm porast cen goriva.
In addition, price trends in respect of various fish species has not followed production cost trends.
Poleg tega se cene številnih ulovljenih vrst rib niso prilagodile proizvodnim stroškom.
For those reasons, according to Italy it is necessary to retain that type of measure and interventions which have the sole purpose of supporting an economic sector in difficulty.
Zato Italija meni, da je treba ohraniti tako vrsto ukrepov, katerih edini cilj je podpora gospodarskemu sektorju v težavah.
Existence of unlawful State aid
Obstoj nezakonite državne pomoči
The Commission observes that that aid scheme, which is designed to grant funding for the restructuring of a particular category of firm which carries on its activities in a specific sector, has the effect of giving a financial advantage to those firms.
Komisija ugotavlja, da shema pomoči, katere cilj je zagotoviti financiranje prestrukturiranja določene kategorije podjetij, ki izvajajo svojo dejavnost v določenem sektorju, zagotavlja tem podjetjem finančno prednost.
Since the products of the beneficiary firms are sold on the Community market, that aid scheme strengthens their position, both on the Italian market in relation to the firms of other Member States who want to bring their products into that market and on the markets of other Member States in relation to firms who sell their products on those markets.
Glede na to, da se proizvodi podjetij, ki prejemajo pomoč, prodajajo na trgu Skupnosti, navedena shema pomoči krepi njihov položaj tako na italijanskem trgu glede na podjetja drugih držav članic, ki želijo prodajati svoje proizvode na tem trgu, kot tudi na trgih drugih držav članic glede na podjetja, ki prodajajo svoje proizvode na teh trgih.
Further, firms in a specific sector of the economy benefit from that aid scheme.
Poleg tega so prejemniki te pomoči podjetja iz določenega gospodarskega sektorja.
Consequently, given that the resources needed to put that scheme into effect are public resources, that scheme is a State aid scheme within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty.
Zato se ta shema, ker so potrebna sredstva za njeno izvajanje javna sredstva, oblikuje kot shema državne pomoči v smislu člena 87(1) Pogodbe ES.
The observations which Italy sent to the Commission in reply to the initiation of the formal investigation procedure does not call into question the classification of that State aid scheme as unlawful aid.
Pripombe, ki jih je Italija posredovala Komisiji v odgovor na začetek formalnega postopka preiskave, ne postavljajo pod vprašaj opredelitve te sheme za nezakonito shemo državne pomoči.
In fact, irrespective of the way in which Italy’s comments may be interpreted, the Commission observes that, in any event, that aid scheme reactivates the aid scheme set up by the Decree of 10 February 1998 and examined and approved by the Commission under number NN 24/98.
Pravzaprav Komisija, neodvisno od razlage iz pripomb Italije, ugotavlja, da ta shema pomoči v vsakem primeru pomeni ponovni začetek sheme pomoči, ki je bila uvedena z odlokom z dne 10. februarja 1998 in jo je Komisija preučila ter odobrila pod številko NN 24/98.
As stated in the decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure, that reactivation constitutes implementation of a new aid scheme, that is to say, an unlawful aid scheme.
Kot je navedeno v odločbi o začetku formalnega postopka preiskave, tak ponovni začetek pomeni izvršitev nove sheme pomoči, torej nezakonite sheme pomoči.
A change in the identity of the public authority which puts that scheme into effect does not affect its aid nature and the classification which the Commission may give to it; it is irrelevant that that aid scheme, based on the Decree of 1 February 1998, was reactivated by the Decree of 18 May 2001 or by the Regions, on the basis of other provisions of which the Commission is unaware.
Sprememba identitete javnega organa, ki izvaja tako shemo, ne vpliva na naravo pomoči in opredelitev, ki ji jo Komisija lahko določi; pri tem ni pomembno, ali so tako shemo pomoči, ki temelji na uredbi z dne 1. februarja 1998, obnovile uredba z dne 18. maja 2001 oziroma dežele, na podlagi drugih določb, ki Komisiji niso znane.
Further, as stated in the decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure, if the aid scheme notified were an existing aid scheme and the Legislative Decree of 18 May 2001 did not alter that scheme, as maintained by the Italian authorities, the Commission considers that it became a new aid scheme on 1 July 2001 when, following the adoption of the new Fisheries Guidelines applicable from 1 January 2001, the existing aid schemes which had not been adapted in line with those Guidelines could no longer benefit from the authorisation previously granted and had to be converted into new aid schemes subject to the obligation to notify the Commission.
Poleg tega, kot je določeno v odločbi o začetku formalnega postopka preiskave, če je bila priglašena shema pomoči, kot so trdile italijanske oblasti, res obstoječa shema pomoči in zakonska uredba z dne 18. maja 2001 ni spremenila te sheme, Komisija meni, da je postala nova shema pomoči 1. julija 2001, ko se po sprejetju novih smernic za ribištvo, ki veljajo od 1. januarja 2001, obstoječe sheme pomoči, ki niso bile prilagojene tem smernicam, niso več mogle sklicevati na dodeljeno dovoljenje in jih je bilo treba preoblikovati v nove sheme pomoči, ki jih je treba priglasiti Komisiji.
The Commission, in accordance with point 3.2 of the 2001 Fisheries Guidelines, proposed to the Member States by letter of 21 December 2000, under the appropriate measures mechanism, that they amend their existing aid schemes relating to aids in the fisheries sector by 1 July 2001 at the latest, stating that in the event that the Member State concerned failed to reply it would be assumed that that it had accepted the proposal.
Komisija je z dopisom z dne 21. decembra 2000 v skladu s točko 3.2 smernic za ribištvo iz leta 2001 državam članicam v okviru mehanizma ustreznih ukrepov predlagala, naj spremenijo obstoječe sheme pomoči za ribištvo do 1. julija 2001, pri čemer je pojasnila, da se bo v primeru, če država članica ne odgovori štelo, da je zadevna država članica predlog sprejela.
Italy did not reply to the Commission’s letter of 21 December 2000 nor to the reminder of 7 May 2001 informing it that, from that time, the Commission considered that Italy’s failure to indicate its disagreement in writing meant that it had accepted the proposal for appropriate measures.
Italija na dopis Komisije z dne 21. decembra 2000 ni odgovorila, niti na ponovni poziv z dne 7. maja 2001, v katerem je bila obveščena, da bo za Komisijo od tistega trenutka naprej odsotnost negativnega odgovora pomenila soglasje k predlogu ustreznih ukrepov.
The Commission therefore took the view that Italy had accepted that proposal and that the existing aid schemes had been amended by 1 July 2001 at the latest.
Komisija je torej menila, da je Italija sprejela predlog in so bile obstoječe sheme pomoči spremenjene pred 1. julijem 2001.
The rules contained in the 2001 Fisheries Guidelines and accepted by Italy had therefore had the effect of withdrawing from certain aid falling within its scope the authorisation previously granted and of classifying it as new aid.
Določbe smernic za ribištvo iz leta 2001, ki jih je Italija sprejela, so torej nekaterim pomočem odvzele predhodno dodeljeno dovoljenje in preklicale njihovo opredelitev novih pomoči.
This was the case with the restructuring aid for cooperatives.
Tako je bilo pri pomočeh za prestrukturiranje zadrug.