natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
However, it was up to national authorities to check whether in this case effective competition for the award of the public service delegation contract was likely to fulfil the fourth Altmark criterion, particularly in the light of these additional conditions that could restrict participation in the tender procedure, and, if not, to draw the necessary legal consequences.
Kljub temu so lahko lokalni organi v tem primeru zlasti ob upoštevanju dodatnih pogojev, ki bi lahko omejili sodelovanje na javnem razpisu za zbiranje ponudb, preverili, ali učinkovita konkurenca za dodelitev pogodbe o PPJS omogoča izpolnjevanje četrtega merila sodbe Altmark in bi v primeru neizpolnjevanja tega merila lahko sprejeli ustrezne pravne ukrepe.
In the light of all of the above, the Commission considers that the conditions of the procedure followed in this case failed to ensure effective competition for awarding the public service delegation, and therefore for selecting the bid that would provide the service at the least cost to the community [112].
Na podlagi vseh teh dejavnikov Komisija meni, da pogoji postopka v tem primeru niso omogočili učinkovite konkurence za dodelitev PPJS in posledično izbire ponudbe, ki bi omogočila izvajanje storitve z najnižjimi stroški za skupnost [112].
The second sub-criterion
Drugo pomožno merilo
It was therefore up to the French authorities to demonstrate that the compensation was established by reference to a medium-sized, well run undertaking adequately equipped with the necessary resources [113].
Francoski organi so torej morali dokazati, da je bilo nadomestilo določeno na podlagi primerjave s povprečnim dobro vodenim podjetjem, ki razpolaga z ustreznimi viri [113].
France failed to provide such information.
Francija takih informacij ni zagotovila.
Moreover, as noted in Section 2.5 above, compensation was not defined by reference to a base cost established in advance, or by comparison with the cost structure of other comparable shipping companies, but with reference to forecast revenue and fuel costs, which refer only to a portion of the income and expenses of the service.
Poleg tega, kakor je poudarjeno v oddelku 2.5 zgoraj, nadomestilo ni bilo določeno na podlagi vnaprej določenih stroškov ali na podlagi primerjave s strukturo stroškov drugih primerljivih pomorskih podjetij, ampak ob upoštevanju predvidenih prihodkov in stroškov goriva, ki zajemajo samo del prihodkov in stroškov storitve.
Moreover, as indicated in the report from the Regional Audit Chamber of Corsica [114], the Commission observes that the forecast compensation of the public service delegation for 2007-2013 was significantly higher than that forecast for the period 2002-2006, for similar obligations, or in fact slightly less demanding ones in terms of available capacity.
Poleg tega Komisija v skladu z ugotovitvami iz poročila regionalnega računskega sodišča Korzike [114] ugotavlja, da so bila predvidena nadomestila za PPJS za obdobje 2007–2013 bistveno višja od nadomestil, predvidenih za obdobje 2002–2006 za podobne obveznosti, ki so celo nekoliko manjše, kar zadeva ponujene zmogljivosti.
Despite the change to the economic situation between 2001 and 2007, a comparison with the costs incurred by a well-run undertaking was all the more necessary since there were certain elements to suggest that SNCM, which was emerging from a period of intense restructuring at that time [115], did not meet such requirements.
Čeprav se je gospodarski položaj med letoma 2001 in 2007 spremenil, je bila primerjava s stroški dobro vodenega podjetja pomembna zlasti, ker je bilo iz nekaterih elementov mogoče sklepati, da SNCM, ki je zaključevala obdobje intenzivnega prestrukturiranja [115], ni bila tako podjetje.
In the light of the above, the Commission considers that the fourth Altmark criterion is not fulfilled in this case.
Glede na zgoraj navedeno Komisija meni, da v tem primeru četrto merilo sodbe Altmark ni upoštevano.
Conclusion on the existence of a selective advantage
Ugotovitev o obstoju selektivne prednosti
As the Altmark criteria are cumulative, failure to satisfy the first criterion for the additional service, and, in any event, the fourth criterion by the public service delegation contract as a whole are sufficient to establish the presence of a selective economic advantage granted to the joint concession holders.
Ker so merila sodbe Altmark kumulativna, dejstvo, da se pri dodatni storitvi ne upošteva prvo merilo in da se v vsakem primeru v pogodbi o PPJS v celoti ne upošteva četrto merilo, zadostuje za ugotovitev, da sta imela pooblaščena izvajalca selektivno ekonomsko prednost.
EFFECT ON TRADE BETWEEN MEMBER STATES AND DISTORTION OF COMPETITION
POGOJI VPLIVA NA TRGOVINO MED DRŽAVAMI ČLANICAMI IN IZKRIVLJANJE KONKURENCE
As indicated in the opening decision, SNCM and CMN operate lines between the French mainland and Corsica in direct competition with operators such as Corsica Ferries, Moby Lines and Saremar.
Kot je navedeno v sklepu o začetku postopka, SNCM in CMN delujeta na linijah med francosko celino in Korziko in sta neposredno konkurenčni izvajalcem, kot so Corsica Ferries, Moby Lines in Saremar.
As a result, the Commission finds that the public compensation under review is liable to strengthen the position of SNCM and CMN in relation to maritime transport competitors in the EU and thereby threaten to distort competition and affect trade between Member States.
Zato Komisija ugotavlja, da bi lahko obravnavana javna nadomestila okrepila položaj SNCM in CMN v primerjavi s konkurenčnimi podjetji za pomorski prevoz v EU ter tako izkrivljala konkurenco in vplivala na trgovino med državami članicami.
CONCLUSION ON THE PRESENCE OF STATE AID WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 107(1) TFEU
UGOTOVITEV O OBSTOJU DRŽAVNE POMOČI V SMISLU ČLENA 107(1) PDEU
Based on the foregoing, the Commission considers that all compensation received by SNCM and CMN under the public service delegation contract constitutes state aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU.
Na podlagi zgoraj navedenega Komisija meni, da vsa nadomestila, ki sta jih na podlagi pogodbe o PPJS prejeli SNCM in CMN, pomenijo državno pomoč v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU.
To the extent that the aid was granted without prior notification to the Commission, it is illegal.
Če je bila ta pomoč dodeljena brez predhodne priglasitve Komisiji, je nezakonita.
ANALYSIS OF COMPATIBILITY UNDER ARTICLE 106(2) TFEU
ANALIZA ZDRUŽLJIVOSTI V SMISLU ČLENA 106(2) PDEU
As set out in the opening decision [116], passenger traffic under the public service delegation amounts to more than 300000 passengers a year and the compensation provided by the public service delegation contract is in excess of EUR 30 million a year.
Kot je navedeno v sklepu o začetku postopka [116], potniški promet v okviru PPJS presega 300000 potnikov na leto, nadomestila, predvidena v pogodbi o PPJS, pa presegajo 30 milijonov EUR na leto.
The SGEI decisions of 2005 [117] and 2011 [118] are not applicable to the public service delegation contract by virtue of their Articles 2(1)(c) and 2(1)(d) respectively.
Odločba SSGP iz leta 2005 [117] in sklep SSGP iz leta 2011 [118] torej ne veljata za pogodbo o PPJS na podlagi člena 2(1)(c) in 2(1)(d).
In so doing, and in the absence of any indication by France of any other basis for compatibility [119], the Commission considers that the compatibility with the internal market of the compensation granted under the public service delegation contract must be assessed in the light of the SGEI Framework.
Komisija s tem ob upoštevanju, da Francija ni predlagala nobene druge podlage za združljivost [119], meni, da je treba združljivost nadomestil, dodeljenih na podlagi pogodbe o PPJS, z notranjim trgom presoditi na podlagi Okvira SSGP.
However, it should be recalled that, in accordance with paragraph 69 of the SGEI Framework, the principles set out in paragraphs 14, 19, 20, 24, 39 and 60 thereof shall not apply to unlawful aid granted prior to 31 January 2012.
Kljub temu je treba opozoriti, da v skladu z odstavkom 69 Okvira SSGP načela iz odstavkov 14, 19, 20, 24, 39 in 60 zadevnega okvira ne veljajo za nezakonito pomoč, dodeljeno pred 31. januarjem 2012.
In accordance with point 11 of the SGEI Framework, State aid that does not fall within the scope of the 2011 decision may be declared compatible with Article 106(2) TFEU if it is necessary for the functioning of the services of general economic interest concerned and does not affect the development of trade to an extent contrary to the interests of the Union.
V skladu z odstavkom 11 Okvira SSGP je mogoče državno pomoč, ki ni zajeta v sklepu iz leta 2011, razglasiti za združljivo s členom 106(2) PDEU, če je potrebna za opravljanje zadevne storitve splošnega gospodarskega pomena in ne vpliva na razvoj trgovine v obsegu, ki je v nasprotju z interesi Unije.
Such a balance is possible only when the conditions set out in sections 2.2 to 2.10 of the Framework are met.
Za dosego takšnega ravnovesja morajo biti izpolnjeni pogoji iz oddelkov 2.2 do 2.10 Okvira.
First it is necessary to examine the definition of services of general interest alleged here.
Najprej je treba proučiti opredelitev storitve splošnega gospodarskega pomena, ki je navedena v tem primeru.
GENUINE SERVICE OF GENERAL ECONOMIC INTEREST
RESNIČNA STORITEV SPLOŠNEGA GOSPODARSKEGA POMENA
Insofar as the characterisation of the additional service as a SGEI is vitiated by a manifest error of assessment (see paragraphs 151-167 above), the compensation paid for this service cannot be declared compatible with Article 106(2) TFEU.
Če je pri opredelitvi SSGP glede dodatne storitve prišlo do očitne napake pri presoji (glej uvodne izjave 151 do 167 zgoraj), nadomestila, dodeljena v zvezi s to storitvijo, ne morejo biti združljiva s členom 106(2) PDEU.
Conversely, on the basis of the analysis carried out in paragraphs 145 to 150 above, the Commission has established that the basic service corresponded to a well-defined SGEI.
Nasprotno je Komisija na podlagi analize iz uvodnih izjav 145 do 150 zgoraj dokazala, da osnovna storitev natančno ustreza opredelitvi SSGP.
OTHER CONDITIONS OF THE SGEI FRAMEWORK
DRUGI POGOJI OKVIRA SSGP
It is necessary to examine whether the other conditions of the SGEI Framework are met for the basic service, which alone is a well-defined SGEI.
Proučiti je treba, ali so izpolnjeni drugi pogoji Okvira SSGP v zvezi s samo osnovno storitvijo, ki sama natančno ustreza opredelitvi SSGP.
Mandate
8.1.2.1. Mandat
Regarding the need for a mandate specifying the obligations of the public service and the methods for calculating compensation, the public service delegation contract specifies the obligations at stake and the compensation parameters.
V zvezi s potrebo po mandatu, ki bi določal obveznosti gospodarske javne službe in načine izračuna nadomestila so v pogodbi o PPJS določene zadevne obveznosti in merila nadomestila.
In this respect, it should be clarified at the outset that the mere existence of the safeguard clause [120], applicable in the event of significant changes in the technical, regulatory or economic conditions of the contract, does not call into question the preliminary nature of the definition of the parameters of the compensation.
V zvezi s tem je treba najprej pojasniti, da sam obstoj zaščitne klavzule [120], ki se uporablja pri večjih spremembah tehničnih, ureditvenih ali ekonomskih pogojev pogodbe, ni v nasprotju s predhodno določeno opredelitvijo meril nadomestila.
Indeed, above all it allows the parties to conclude amendments in the event of significant changes in the conditions for operating services which could undermine the objectives of the public service delegation contract.
Klavzula strankam dejansko omogoča, da sprejemajo dopolnilne pogodbe v primeru znatnih sprememb pogojev za opravljanje storitev, ki bi lahko vplivali na cilje pogodbe o PPJS.
It therefore equates to an amendment clause in common law, the possible application of which should nevertheless be analysed in relation to the law on State aid.
Podobna je torej klavzuli o dopolnilni pogodbi iz splošnega prava, ki pa bi jo bilo treba v primeru uporabe analizirati v smislu pravice do državne pomoči.
The purpose of this clause is to ‘re-establish the initial financial equilibrium’ primarily by modulating the maximum fares and nature of the services.
Ta klavzula je namenjena „ponovni vzpostavitvi začetnega finančnega ravnovesja“, ki se izvaja zlasti ob prilagajanju najvišjih tarif in narave storitev.
The possibility of changing the compensation, which is not stated explicitly in the text, can therefore be understood only within the context of changing the services provided.
Možnost prilagajanja nadomestila, ki v besedilu ni eksplicitno navedena, je torej mogoče razumeti samo v smislu prilagajanja opravljenih storitev.
As stated in the above-mentioned judgment of the Council of State, the safeguard clause cannot therefore open the way to overcompensation for services rendered.
Kot je navedeno v zgoraj navedeni sodbi državnega sveta, ta zaščitna klavzula sama po sebi ne more omogočiti čezmernega nadomestila za opravljene storitve.
This would not be the case if, contrary to the present circumstances, the application and renegotiation situations were clearly too wide, or if the clause provided for the possibility of additional compensation in respect of services already performed when the clause providing for meetings were invoked without specifying the parameters of this additional compensation.
Drugače pa bi bilo, če bi bile v nasprotju z okoliščinami v obravnavanem primeru možnosti uporabe in ponovnega pogajanja očitno preširoke ali če bi bila v klavzuli predvidena možnost dodatnega nadomestila za storitve, že opravljene ob sklicevanju na prilagoditveno klavzulo, če pri tem ne bi bila določena merila tega dodatnega nadomestila.
Neither does the presence of the adaptation clause [121] call into question this conclusion, since the application of the clause provided firstly for preserving the general economy of the public service delegation contract, limiting itself to small-scale changes and adjustments, and secondly to the parallel decrease in compensation and services.
Obstoj prilagoditvene klavzule [121] tudi ne izpodbija te ugotovitve, če njena uporaba na eni strani predvideva ohranitev splošne ekonomije pogodbe o PPJS in se tako omeji na prilagoditve in ureditve manjšega obsega ter na drugi strani vzporedno zmanjšanje nadomestil in storitev.
Even assuming that the amendment of 28 December 2009 substantially altered the compensation parameters and the type of service, it is nonetheless true that these parameters were defined prior to the performance of services for the period 2010-2013, to which they apply.
Tudi ob upoštevanju, da bi dopolnilna pogodba z dne 28. decembra 2009 znatno spremenila merila nadomestila in okoliščine storitev, še vedno velja, da so bila ta merila določena pred opravljanjem storitev za obdobje 2010–2013, na katerega se nanašajo.
Furthermore, the changes in the amount of forecast revenues among the various bids by the joint concession holders do not seem unjustified.
Poleg tega se zdi, da razlike v višini predvidenih prihodkov med različnimi ponudbami pooblaščenih soizvajalcev niso neupravičene.
The Commission considers that the inclusion of more optimistic revenue forecasts may indeed reflect the revised forecasts based on market prospects.
Komisija meni, da bi lahko vključitev bolj optimističnih napovedi glede prihodkov ustrezala ponovni proučitvi napovedi na podlagi perspektiv trga.
It also notes that the traffic forecasts given under the terms of the negotiations were generally lower than those presented by the competing bid [122].
Opozarja tudi, da je bil predvideni promet, ki se je upošteval med pogajanji, na splošno manjši od prometa iz konkurenčne ponudbe [122].
Given actual and forecast revenues between 2002 and 2006 [123] and the favourable market trends for services to Corsica in 2006, the Commission considers that the reference parameters on the basis of which the compensation adjustments were forecast by the public service delegation contract are in any event plausible in the light of paragraph 23 of the SGEI Framework.
Ob upoštevanju realnih in predvidenih prihodkov od leta 2002 do leta 2006 [123] ter ugodnega razvoja trga povezav s Korziko leta 2006 Komisija meni, da so referenčna merila, na podlagi katerih so bile v pogodbi o PPJS predvidene prilagoditve nadomestila, v vsakem primeru sprejemljiva v smislu uvodne izjave 23 Okvira SSGP.
As regards the other points raised by the complainant on the grounds of the existence of a set of adjustment clauses [124], it is worth recalling that, according to the Court's case-law, the complexity of mechanisms for adjusting compensation is unlikely to undermine the objective and transparent nature of the compensation mechanism [125].
Kar zadeva druge točke, na katere je opozoril pritožnik na podlagi sklopa obstoječih prilagoditvenih klavzul [124], je treba navesti, da glede na sodno prakso Sodišča kompleksnost mehanizma za prilagajanje nadomestil ne more ogroziti objektivnosti in preglednosti mehanizma nadomestil [125].
Finally, the Commission no longer has any doubts regarding financial compensation allegedly allocated to the concession holders outside the scope of the public service delegation contract, as the French authorities have provided proof that the amounts mentioned in the opening decision corresponded to simple requests from the concession holders, which were ultimately refused by the Corsican Transport Board.
Pomisleki Komisije v zvezi s finančnimi nadomestili, ki naj bi bila dodeljena pooblaščenima izvajalcema zunaj okvira pogodbe o PPJS, so bili odpravljeni, ko so francoski organi dokazali, da so zneski iz sklepa o začetku postopka le zahteve pooblaščenih izvajalcev, ki jih je na koncu zavrnil OTC.
Duration of the mandate
Trajanje mandata
The duration of the mandate, of six and a half years, is in accordance with EU guidelines on the matter [126], which refer to a limit of six years.
Trajanje mandata šest let in pol je v skladu s smernicami Skupnosti na tem področju [126], ki predlagajo omejitev šestih let.
Compliance with Directive 2006/111/EC
Skladnost z Direktivo 2006/111/ES
As regards compliance with Directive 2006/111/EC on financial transparency, the concession holding companies have set up a separate cost accounts for their activities under the public service delegation.
Kar zadeva skladnost z Direktivo 2006/111/ES o finančni preglednosti, sta pooblaščena izvajalca vzpostavila ločen analitični račun za dejavnosti v okviru PPJS.
For SNCM, this account strikes a further distinction between the activities of the basic service and those related to the additional service (see paragraphs 46 and 47 above).
Pri SNCM ta račun omogoča dodatno razlikovanje med dejavnostmi v okviru osnovne storitve in dejavnostmi, povezanimi z dodatno storitvijo (glej uvodni izjavi 46 in 47 zgoraj).
Amount of compensation
Znesek nadomestila
As for the absence of overcompensation, the public service delegation contract included a cap on the gross margin (excluding depreciation, chartering costs and other capital charges) at 15 % of the market value of the vessels.
Kar zadeva odsotnost čezmernega nadomestila, je bila v pogodbi o PPJS predvidena določitev zgornje meje bruto marže (brez amortizacij, stroškov zakupa in drugih stroškov kapitala) na 15 % tržne vrednosti ladij.
In the opening decision, the Commission noted that it had no information that would allow it to exclude overcompensation a priori.
V sklepu o začetku postopka je Komisija opozorila, da ne razpolaga z informacijami, na podlagi katerih bi lahko vnaprej izključila obstoj kakršnega koli čezmernega nadomestila.
The formal examination procedure clarified first of all that the market value of the vessels was established according to experts, with several evaluations obtained to reach the contractual parameters.
Na podlagi formalnega postopka preiskave je bilo najprej pojasnjeno, da je bila tržna vrednost ladij določena na podlagi mnenj strokovnjakov, za določitev pogodbenih meril pa je bilo pridobljenih več ocen.
The asset base used for capping the compensation therefore represents the residual market value of the vessels used under the public service delegation [127].
Osnovna sredstva, uporabljena za določitev zgornje meje nadomestila, torej predstavljajo preostalo tržno vrednost ladij, uporabljenih v okviru PPJS [127].
By considering that the residual market value of the ships under the public service delegation is amortised in eight years [128], as French tax law allows, the capping clause effectively limited the ratio of return on assets (ROA) and net return on capital employed (ROCE) to 2,5 % [129].
Ob upoštevanju preostale tržne vrednosti ladij v okviru PPJS, ki se amortizira v osmih letih [128], pri čemer je ta možnost predvidena v francoskem davčnem pravu, je bilo s klavzulo za določanje zgornje meje povprečno razmerje med čistim donosom sredstev (ROA) in čistim donosom na vloženi kapital (ROCE) dejansko omejeno na 2,5 % [129].
The ‘safe harbour’ charge provided by the SGEI Framework [130] on the date the public service delegation was awarded was more than 5 % [131], while a substantial part of the commercial risk of the services was actually borne by the joint concession holders SNCM and CMN.
Stopnja „varnega pristana“, zagotovljena z Okvirom SSGP [130] na datum dodelitve koncesijske pogodbe, je znašala več kot 5 % [131], medtem ko sta znatni delež poslovnega tveganja storitev dejansko nosila pooblaščena soizvajalca, tj. SNCM in CMN.
In addition, it appears that in practice the result before capital charges of the concession holders was significantly lower than this limit (see below).
Poleg tega se zdi, da je bil v praksi rezultat pred stroški kapitala pooblaščenih izvajalcev znatno nižji od te zgornje meje (glej spodaj).
The conditions of the public service delegation contract did not therefore lead to overcompensation.
Pogoji pogodbe o PPJS torej niso omogočali čezmernih nadomestil.
The distribution of compensation between the basic service and the additional service for SNCM is unlikely to undermine this conclusion with regard to the basic service in the light of the conditions for analytical distribution of compensation between both services (see paragraph 46 above).
Porazdelitev nadomestil med osnovne storitve in dodatne storitve za SNCM ni v nasprotju s to ugotovitvijo v zvezi z osnovno storitvijo glede na pogoje analitične razdelitve nadomestil med obe storitvi (glej uvodno izjavo 46 zgoraj).
Indeed, from the figures provided by France and SNCM it appears that SNCM's result before capital charges attributable to the basic service remained significantly lower than the 15 % limit mentioned above.
Na podlagi podatkov, ki sta jih predložili Francija in SNCM, je očitno, da je rezultat brez stroškov kapitala SNCM, ki ga je mogoče pripisati osnovni storitvi, ostal znatno nižji od zgoraj navedene zgornje omejitve v višini 15 %.
Result before capital costs by company and service
Rezultat brez stroškov kapitala na družbo in na storitev
SNCM basic service
Osnovna storitev SNCM
SNCM overall
Skupaj SNCM
Finally, an external audit for overcompensation was performed for the Corsican Transport Board after three years of delegation (in 2010).
Nadzor nad čezmernimi nadomestili z zunanjo revizijo je bil za OTC izveden po treh letih opravljanja storitev (za leto 2010).
Furthermore, an independent trust company checks the operating accounts of concession holders each year on behalf of the Corsican Transport Board.
Neodvisna družba za upravljanje poleg tega vsako leto v imenu OTC preveri poslovni račun pooblaščenih izvajalcev.
Additional requirements that may be necessary to ensure that the development of trade is not affected to an extent contrary to the interests of the Union
Dodatne zahteve, ki so lahko nujne za preprečevanje vpliva na razvoj trgovine, ki bi bil v nasprotju z interesi Unije