natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Such an approach is in conformity with the findings of the jurisprudence (Solar Tech and Pollmeier cases, see footnotes 20 and 21), where the Courts of the European Union have accepted that the Commission shall refuse the SME bonus where this would lead to circumvention.
Ta pristop je v skladu s sodno prakso v primerih Solar Tech in Pollmeier (glej opombi 20 in 21 zgoraj), v katerih so sodišča Evropske unije odločila, da Komisija ne more odobriti dodatka za MSP, če gre za izigravanje.
It is therefore inherent in the definition of an SME that it does not apply where such a risk exists and the criteria are only formally respected.
Tako je v definiciji MSP izrecno predvideno, da ta ne velja, če obstaja tako tveganje in se merila upoštevajo le formalno.
The argumentation of Germany that the situation of Sovello is different from that of Solar Tech and Pollmeier, and that this jurisprudence refers to the SME Recommendation of 1996 and hence is not applicable to the current SME definition is not relevant.
Trditev Nemčije, da se dejansko stanje v primeru Sovello razlikuje od dejanskega stanja v primerih Solar Tech in Pollmeier in da naj bi sodna praksa temeljila na Priporočilu MSP iz leta 1996 in naj je zato ne bi bilo mogoče uporabiti v sedanji definiciji MSP, ni utemeljena.
The key elements of the SME Recommendation of 1996 for the determination of a partner enterprise (share of 25 % or more of the capital or the voting rights) have been taken up and just refined by SME Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
Najpomembnejša merila iz Priporočila MSP iz leta 1996 za partnerska podjetja (25-odstotni delež kapitala oziroma glasovalnih pravic ali več) so bila ponovno prevzeta v Priporočilu MSP 2003/361/ES in le natančneje določena.
Nevertheless as even the most sophisticated criteria may always be circumvented, a control of attempts to circumvent the applicable definition of an SME must in any case be possible.
Ker pa še vedno obstaja nevarnost, da se še tako izčrpna in natančna merila obidejo, mora biti vsekakor mogoče preprečiti poskuse izigravanja veljavne definicije MSP.
Indeed, it is rather a general principle — no circumvention — which the Courts have accepted.
V tem smislu so sodišča potrdila tudi splošno načelo, ki nasprotuje vsakemu izigravanju.
Company documents and factual situation
Dokumenti podjetja in dejansko stanje
There are clear indications in the company documents (Heads of Agreement, Articles of Association of Sovello dated 13 January 2005, and MJVA1) that the initial corporate architecture was designed and aimed at obtaining the SME bonus.
Iz dokumentov podjetja (Heads of Agreement, statut podjetja Sovello z dne 13. januarja 2005 in SSP1) je jasno razvidno, da je bila prvotna struktura podjetja sestavljena z namenom pridobitve dodatka za MSP. Točka 5 pogodbe Heads of Agreement v zvezi s tem jasno določa:
Point 5 of the Heads of Agreement is most explicit on this issue:
„The Parties understand that, in order to qualify for maximum grants, it is in the interest of JVCo that Q restricts its equity portion of JVCo until such time that either E or JVCo are no longer categorised as ‚small or medium enterprises‘ under the rules for investment grants etc., or that this restriction becomes null and void.
‘The Parties understand that, in order to qualify for maximum grants, it is in the interest of JVCo that Q restricts its equity portion of JVCo until such time that either E or JVCo are no longer categorised as “small or medium enterprises” under the rules for investment grants etc., or that this restriction becomes null and void.
As such, Q’s ownership of JVCo must be less than 25 % in order to qualify for certain German government subsidies.“ (Da bi pridobili čim večjo pravico do pomoči, je po mnenju strank v interesu JVCo, da je delež Q v JVCo tako dolgo omejen, dokler se ali E ali JVCo v skladu s pravili o dodatkih za naložbe ipd. ne uvrščata več k „malim ali srednje velikim podjetjem“ ali dokler velja ta omejitev.
As such, Q’s ownership of JVCo must be less than 25 % in order to qualify for certain German government subsidies’.
V zvezi s tem mora biti delež Q v JVCo manjši od 25 odstotkov, da se v Nemčiji lahko uveljavlja pravica do določenih državnih pomoči.)
(Underlining added) [28])(87) This clear intention is confirmed by Article 2.5(c) of the MJVA1:
[28](poudarek Komisije) (87) Ta jasen namen potrjuje člen 2.5(c) SSP1:
‘The Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain the Government Investment Grant Approval as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date, including, but not limited to, making changes to the overall structure of the joint venture, this Agreement, the shareholdings in VentureCo, the Articles of Association and the Concurrent Agreements in order to ensure that the maximum amount of Government Investment Grants available for small and medium size enterprises will be secured by VentureCo; and to obtain the funds necessary to fund to VentureCo the amounts specified in Section 2.4 (b) and 2.4 (c) when due.’(Underlining added)
„The Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain the Government Investment Grant Approval as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date, including, but not limited to, making changes to the overall structure of the joint venture, this Agreement, the shareholdings in VentureCo, the Articles of Association and the Concurrent Agreements in order to ensure that the maximum amount of Government Investment Grants available for small and medium size enterprises will be secured by VentureCo; and to obtain the funds necessary to fund to VentureCo the amounts specified in Section 2.4 (b) and 2.4 (c) when due.“ (Stranke vložijo vse primerne napore, da bi v čim krajšem času po koncu roka prejele odobritev državnih dodatkov za naložbe; to vključuje tudi, vendar ne samo spremembo celotne strukture skupnega podjetja, te pogodbe, deležev v skupnem podjetju, statuta in drugih pomembnih pogodb, da bi skupnemu podjetju zagotovile pravico do najvišjega mogočega zneska državnih dodatkov za naložbe za mala in srednje velika podjetja; in da bi skupno podjetje po zapadlosti v skladu z oddelkom 2.4., točki (b) in (c), prejelo sredstva, ki so potrebna za njegovo financiranje.) (poudarek Komisije)
Several elements suggest that from the start the intention of Evergreen and Q-Cells was to give equal power to both partners as soon as the SME bonus was secured:
Več elementov kaže na to, da sta podjetji Evergreen in Q-Cells že od začetka obema partnerjema nameravali dodeliti enake pravice, takoj ko bi bila zagotovljena odobritev dodatka za MSP:
The MJVA1 lays down in its Article 3(6) that, ‘if it is possible under the applicable grant regulations, that Q-Cells increases its ownership interest in Sovello to 50 %, without such increase of Q-Cells’ ownership interest in Sovello possibly resulting in an application for Government Investment Grants being turned down, (…), then Q-Cells shall be offered to increase its ownership interest in Sovello to a level equal to the percentage’ then held by Evergreen.
V členu 3(6) SSP1 je določeno, da če naj bi podjetje Q-Cells v skladu z veljavnimi pravili o subvencijskih sredstvih imelo možnost povečanja svojega deleža v podjetju EverQ na 50 odstotkov, ne da bi to povzročilo […] zavrnitev prošnje za dodelitev državnih dodatkov za naložbe s strani pristojnih organov […], se mu ponudi enak odstotni delež v podjetju EverQ, kot ga ima podjetje Evergreen.
In this context, a preferential price shall apply.
V tem okviru velja preferenčna cena.
The MJVA1 contains in its Article 3(6) even an emergency plan, foreseeing to find other ways than shareholding participation to increase Q-Cells ownership, if necessary:
V členu 3(6) SSP1 je celo predviden načrt za izredne primere, v skladu s katerim se lastništvo podjetja Q-Cells po potrebi lahko poveča drugače kot s povečanjem deleža:
The Commission considers that the provisions contained in the Articles of Association, the Heads of Agreement, and the MJVA1 give Q-Cells a level of influence on Sovello’s business decisions that goes beyond what a minority shareholder with a participation of 24,9 % could expect under normal company law (though in a joint venture arrangement, this is not necessarily unusual).
Po mnenju Komisije določila statuta, pogodbe Heads of Agreement in SSP1 podjetju Q-Cells dajejo možnost vpliva na poslovne odločitve podjetja Sovello, ki je večja od možnosti, ki jo ima v skladu s tradicionalnim pravom družb manjšinski družbenik s 24,9-odstotnim deležem (v skupnem podjetju to vsekakor ni nujno neobičajno).
The Heads of Agreement stipulates that:
V pogodbi Heads of Agreement je predvideno:
‘The Governance of JVCo will generally be structured and balanced to take into account each Party’s relative economic interest in JVCo and the fact that E needs initially to have a higher degree of control of JVCo as a result of the materiality of the operations of JVCo relative to E’s operations on a consolidated basis.
„The Governance of JVCo will generally be structured and balanced to take into account each Party’s relative economic interest in JVCo and the fact that E needs initially to have a higher degree of control of JVCo as a result of the materiality of the operations of JVCo relative to E’s operations on a consolidated basis. At the same time, the JVCo governance structure will include provisions that ensure that both E and Q have a shared voice in major actions of JVCo.“(Vodstvo JVCo je na splošno sestavljeno in razdeljeno tako, da se upoštevajo vsi gospodarski interesi partnerjev v JVCo in dejstvo, da mora biti E zaradi odločilnega pomena poslovne dejavnosti JVCo za poslovno dejavnost E na konsolidirani podlagi najprej omogočen večji nadzor nad JVCo.
At the same time, the JVCo governance structure will include provisions that ensure that both E and Q have a shared voice in major actions of JVCo.’(Underlining added)
Hkrati je struktura vodstva JVCo pogojena s tem, da morata imeti E in Q možnost sodelovanja pri pomembnih poslovnih odločitvah.) (poudarek Komisije)
In addition, the Heads of Agreement mentions that the parties will agree to identify certain major corporate actions that require the consent of both parties in a mutually agreed upon manner.
V Heads of Agreement je še navedeno, da partnerji sporazumno določijo, da se morata z določenimi pomembnimi poslovnimi odločitvami strinjati obe stranki.
Indeed, the initial Articles of Association of Sovello foresee that:
Prvoten statut podjetja Sovello predvideva:
The Supervisory Board is composed of three persons (two nominated by Evergreen, of which the president, who should be ‘acceptable’ for Q-Cells; one by Q-Cells, who is at the same time the substitute president).
Nadzorni svet sestavljajo trije člani (dva člana, vključno s predsednikom, ki ga mora „potrditi“ podjetje Q-Cells, imenuje podjetje Evergreen; tretjega člana (podpredsednika) pa imenuje in odpokliče podjetje Q-Cells).
The agreement of at least one of each of both Evergreen and Q-Cells nominees is required for several important corporate actions (approval of annual plan and balance sheet; strategic decisions concerning timing and volume of production, capacity extension, sale of wafers/cells additionally to module; definition of brands and brand names; agreements concerning intellectual property…).
Z različnimi pomembnimi poslovnimi odločitvami (odobritev letnega načrta in bilance; strateške odločitve o časovnem načrtu in količini proizvodnje, povečanju zmogljivosti, prodaji rezin/celic, vključno z moduli; izbira znamk in imen znamk; pogodbe na področju intelektualne lastnine itn.) se mora strinjati vsaj en vodilni član, ki ga imenujeta Evergreen in Q-Cells.
As a consequence, since Q-Cells has substantial decisional rights, the German argument that Evergreen needed a participation exceeding 75 % to protect its interests (and thus the 24,9 % participation of Q-Cells is justified by other than circumvention-considerations) cannot be upheld.
Ker ima torej podjetje Q-Cells pomembna pooblastila odločanja, je trditev Nemčije, da naj bi podjetje Evergreen, da bi zaščitilo svoje interese, potrebovalo več kot 75-odstotni delež (in da naj bi bil 24,9-odstotni delež podjetja Q-Cells posledica drugih prizadevanj in ne izigravanja), neutemeljena.
The Commission notes that Evergreen indeed desired to initially have a majority interest in Sovello (as stated in point 5 of the Heads of Agreement: ‘E will be required to own a majority interest in the equity of JVCo in the near term’), but such majority could also be achieved with another participation percentage (between 51 % and 75 %).
Komisija opaža, da si je podjetje Evergreen najprej dejansko prizadevalo za večinski delež v podjetju Sovello (glej točko 5 pogodbe Heads of Agreement: „E will be required to own a majority interest in the equity of JVCo in the near term“ [E mora v bližnji prihodnosti postati lastnik večinskega deleža osnovnega kapitala JVCo], taka večina pa bi bila odstotkovno lahko tudi drugačna (med 51 in 75 odstotkov).
The influence of Q-Cells on strategic decisions is confirmed by Evergreen’s annual report 2004 which mentions that:
Da je imelo podjetje Q-Cells možnost vpliva na strateške odločitve, je potrjeno tudi v letnem poročilu podjetja Evergreen za leto 2004, v katerem je navedeno:
‘although initially a minority shareholder in the strategic partnership, Q-Cells will have the ability to influence the strategic direction of the strategic partnership and other material decisions of the strategic partnership; as a result, we may be unable to take certain actions that we believe would be in our best interests, which, given the expected materiality of the strategic partnership to our combined operations, could significantly harm our business; further, we may be liable to third parties for the material decisions and actions of Q-Cells in the strategic partnership, which actions may harm the strategic partnership and our business’.
„although initially a minority shareholder in the strategic partnership, Q-Cells will have the ability to influence the strategic direction of the strategic partnership and other material decisions of the strategic partnership; as a result, we may be unable to take certain actions that we believe would be in our best interests, which, given the expected materiality of the strategic partnership to our combined operations, could significantly harm our business; further, we may be liable to third parties for the material decisions and actions of Q-Cells in the strategic partnership, which actions may harm the strategic partnership and our business.“ (Čeprav je bilo podjetje Q-Cells na začetku manjšinski družbenik v strateškem partnerstvu, bo imelo možnost vpliva na strateško načrtovanje in druge ključne odločitve strateškega partnerstva; zaradi tega v nekaterih primerih določenih odločitev, ki so po našem mnenju v našem interesu, ne bomo mogli sprejeti, kar bi glede na predvideni pomen strateškega partnerstva lahko močno škodilo dejavnosti, ki je skupna vsem našim poslovnim dejavnostim; tretjim strankam bi lahko bili odgovorni tudi za ključne odločitve in ukrepe podjetja Q-Cells v strateškem partnerstvu, ukrepi podjetja Q-Cells pa lahko škodijo strateškemu partnerstvu in naši poslovni dejavnosti.)
(Underlining added)
(poudarek Komisije)
The following extracts from the Heads of Agreement demonstrate that the role of Q-Cells in Sovello was essential for the operability of the joint venture:
Naslednji izvlečki iz pogodbe Heads of Agreement kažejo, da je bila vloga podjetja Q-Cells v podjetju Sovello odločilna za delovanje skupnega podjetja: „It is anticipated that because the facility will be located in Germany near Q’s current operations, that Q will be a major source of transferred and seconded employees for JVCo.
‘It is anticipated that because the facility will be located in Germany near Q’s current operations, that Q will be a major source of transferred and seconded employees for JVCo.
In addition, initially Q will take primary responsibility for recruiting new employees for the facility.“ (Predvidoma bo podjetje Q zaradi lokacije obrata v Nemčiji v bližini Q-jevih sedanjih obratov glavni vir premeščenih in napotenih delavcev za JVCo.
In addition, initially Q will take primary responsibility for recruiting new employees for the facility.’
Poleg tega bo podjetje Q v začetku prevzelo glavno odgovornost za zaposlitev novih delavcev v obratu.)
In particular for the early phases of JVCo, both Parties commit to enter into agreements to supply necessary services to JVCo for a period of at least 2 years, until JVCo is in a position to function cost effectively without this support from its owner entities.’
In particular for the early phases of JVCo, both Parties commit to enter into agreements to supply necessary services to JVCo for a period of at least 2 years, until JVCo is in a position to function cost effectively without this support from its owner entities.“ (JVCo lahko izvedbo določenih storitev (infrastruktura, menedžment, podpora na področju obratovanja in tehnologije ter razvoj itn.) dolgoročno ali prehodno odda partnerju, ki te storitve lahko izvede ugodneje kot JVCo.
‘For example, it is anticipated that because of the proximity of the JVCo facility to Q, that Q will be in a position to effectively provide JVCo with infrastructure services until such time as JVCo is able to provide such services independently.’
Oba partnerja se zavezujeta, da bosta predvsem v začetnem obdobju poslovanja JVCo pogodbe o izvedbi potrebnih storitev sklepala za dobo vsaj dveh let, dokler ne bo podjetje JVCo sposobno brez podpore svojih lastnikov samostojno delovati stroškovno učinkovito.) „For example, it is anticipated that because of the proximity of the JVCo facility to Q, that Q will be in a position to effectively provide JVCo with infrastructure services until such time as JVCo is able to provide such services independently.“ (Tako se na primer predpostavlja, da bo podjetje Q zaradi svoje geografske lege v bližini obratov JVCo sposobno za JVCo izvajati storitve, povezane z infrastrukturo, dokler JVCo ne bi moglo samo prevzeti teh storitev.)
The MJVA1 also lists a whole range of services which may be provided to Sovello (by both parties Q-Cells and Evergreen): general advice regarding management issues, assistance with respect to Government investment grant application process, assistance with German permit applications, assistance with German management staff selection and recruitment process, Assistance with tax issues, advice regarding corporate and organizational structure, Advice and support regarding financing activities, making the parties’ suppliers available, advice in connection with the transfer of the Parties’ technology, technology support, local infrastructure purchasing, human resources and recruitment support (Article 9.9 of the MJVA1).
V SSP1 je naveden še celoten seznam storitev, ki se jih (prek obeh partnerjev, podjetjij Q-Cells in Evergreen) lahko izvede za podjetje Sovello: Splošno svetovanje pri vodenju, podpora pri prošnjah za državni dodatek za naložbe, podpora pri prošnjah za odobritev v Nemčiji, podpora pri izbiri in zaposlitvi nemškega vodilnega kadra, podpora pri davčnih vprašanjih, podpora pri vprašanjih, povezanih s strukturo poslovanja in obratovanja, svetovanje in podpora pri pridobivanju kapitala, posredovanje dobaviteljev partnerjev, svetovanje v povezavi s prenosom tehnologij partnerjev, tehnološka podpora, podpora pri nakupu lokalne infrastrukture ter pridobivanju človeških virov in zaposlitvi delavcev (člen 9.9 SSP1).
It is true that the texts mention that these services will be provided on a market-rate or cost-plus basis, but the above shows that there are close relations between Sovello and Q-Cells.
Sicer drži, da je v teh dokumentih določeno, da se te storitve izvajajo po tržnih cenah ali metodi stroški plus, vendar vse to kaže na ozko povezavo med podjetjema Sovello in Q-Cells.
A press release issued by the parties on 24 January 2005 states that ‘The proposed facility is expected to be constructed on property near Q-Cells’ existing solar cell factories, and should therefore capture strong synergies with Q-Cells’ operations.’
V izjavi za javnost partnerjev z dne 24. januarja 2005 je navedeno, da „bo načrtovani obrat predvidoma zgrajen na zemljišču v bližini obstoječih tovarn za proizvodnjo sončnih celic podjetja Q-Cells in bo zato mogoča znatna sinergija z dejavnostjo tega podjetja“.
Furthermore, Q-Cells acquired the shelf-company for the creation of Sovello, and the managing directors of this company were the CEO of Q-Cells and the CFO of Q-Cells, whereas the COO of Q-Cells had signing authority.
Poleg tega je podjetje Q-Cells kupilo slamnato podjetje, da bi ustanovilo podjetje Sovello, vodilna kadra te družbe pa sta bila predsednik upravnega odbora in finančni direktor podjetja Q-Cells, pri čemer je bil poslovodja podjetja Q-Cells pooblaščen za podpisovanje.
Q-Cells provided an executive officer to Sovello, and even if Germany argues that this was only a transitional arrangement, and that Evergreen also provided an executive officer, this nevertheless is again an indication that the relations between Q-Cells and Sovello were very close, at least at the start of the joint venture.
Podjetje Q-Cells je imenovalo vodilnega moža v podjetju Sovello in ne glede na trditev Nemčije, da je bilo to stanje le prehodno in da je tudi podjetje Evergreen imenovalo vodilnega moža, tudi to kaže na zelo tesno sodelovanje med podjetjema Q-Cells in Sovello vsaj v začetku delovanja skupnega podjetja.
Germany argued that Evergreen had negotiated with other possible joint venture partners on the basis of a participation exceeding 75 %, but failed to submit evidence in writing of such negotiations.
Nemčija je trdila, da naj bi se podjetje Evergreen na podlagi več kot 75-odstotnega deleža pogajalo z drugimi možnimi partnerji v skupnem podjetju, vendar v zvezi s tem ni predložila ustreznih pisnih dokazov.
Germany offered in some correspondence to provide declarations under oath by representatives of Evergreen and Q-Cells on the considerations behind the 24,9 % share, but did finally not submit them.
Nemčija je v nekaterih dopisih sicer predlagala, da bi predložila zaprisežene izjave zastopnikov podjetij Q-Cells in Evergreen o razlogih za 24,9-odstotni delež, vendar tega na koncu ni storila.
For these reasons, the Commission cannot follow the argument that the participation of 24,9 % of Q-Cells results necessarily from German company law and is not determined by the intention to obtain an SME bonus.
Iz teh razlogov se Komisija ne more strinjati s trditvijo, da je 24,9-odstotni delež podjetja Q-Cells nujna posledica uporabe nemškega prava družb, in ne namena pridobitve dodatka za MSP.
The Commission is not convinced by the German argument that the possibility in the MJVA1 for Q-Cells to increase its participation to 50 % was not only conditional to the maintenance of the State subsidy, but also to a capacity expansion decision of both partners based on economic success of Sovello1, since the provisions of Article 3(6)(c) of the MJVA1 state:
Trditev Nemčije, da naj možnost podjetja Q-Cells, da svoj delež poveča na 50 odstotkov, ki je določena v SSP1, ne bi bila odvisna le od tega, da se ohrani možnost prejetja državne pomoči, ampak tudi od odločitve obeh partnerjev o gradnji obrata na podlagi gospodarske uspešnosti obrata Sovello1, Komisije ni prepričala, saj člen 3(6)(c) SSP1 določa:
‘Additional Financing.
„Dodatna finančna sredstva.
If, be it in relation to a Capacity Expansion or otherwise, VentureCo requests in writing from both E and Q additional financing in addition to the Aggregate Equity Funding or Alternative Funding (an “Additional Financing”), and the Shareholders approve the corresponding capital increase in accordance with the Articles of Association (an “Additional Financing Request”), the following shall apply:
Če bo VentureCo glede na povečanje zmogljivosti ali iz katerega drugega razloga v podjetjih E in Q pisno zaprosilo za dodatna finančna sredstva (‚dodatna finančna sredstva‘), ki bi presegala ‚Aggregate Equity Funding‘ (financiranje celotnega lastniškega kapitala) in ‚Alternative Funding‘ (drugo financiranje) in če bodo družbeniki ob upoštevanju določil družbene pogodbe odobrili ustrezno povečanje kapitala (‚zahtevek za dodatna finančna sredstva‘), velja: