natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In the opening decision the Commission expressed doubts for the following five reasons: a risk of circumvention of the prohibition on restructuring aid to newly created firms; a risk of circumvention of the obligation to reimburse incompatible aid; doubt about the restoration of the firm’s long-term viability; inadequacy of the compensatory measures; and doubt about whether the aid was limited to the necessary minimum, and in particular about the aid recipient’s contribution.
Komisija je v sklepu o začetku postopka izrazila pomisleke iz naslednjih petih razlogov: nevarnosti izigravanja prepovedi dodeljevanja pomoči za prestrukturiranje za nova podjetja; nevarnosti izigravanja obveznosti vračila nezdružljive pomoči; dvoma o ponovni vzpostavitvi dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja podjetja; nezadostnosti izravnalnih ukrepov; dvoma o omejitvi pomoči na najmanjšo potrebno in še zlasti o prispevku upravičenca.
Risk of circumvention of the prohibition on restructuring aid to newly created firms
Nevarnost izigravanja prepovedi dodeljevanja pomoči za prestrukturiranje za nova podjetja
FagorBrandt was established in January 2002: accordingly, for the purposes of point 12 of the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (‘the restructuring aid guidelines’) [9], it was a ‘newly created firm’ until January 2005, that is, three years after it was set up.
Ker je bilo podjetje FagorBrandt ustanovljeno januarja 2002, je v smislu točke 12 Smernic Skupnosti o državni pomoči za reševanje in prestrukturiranje podjetij v težavah (v nadaljnjem besedilu: smernice o pomoči za prestrukturiranje) [9] veljalo za novo podjetje do januarja 2005, to je do treh let po ustanovitvi.
This means that, both at the time when the company benefited from the tax exemption provided for in Article 44 septies of the French General Tax Code (‘the Article 44 septies aid’) and at the time when, in December 2003, the Commission declared that that aid was incompatible and ordered its recovery [10], FagorBrandt was a newly created firm.
To pomeni, da je bilo podjetje FagorBrandt novo podjetje ob davčni oprostitvi, ki mu je bila odobrena na podlagi člena 44f splošnega davčnega zakonika (v nadaljnjem besedilu: pomoč na podlagi člena 44f), pa tudi decembra 2003, ko je Komisija navedeno pomoč razglasila za nezdružljivo in odredila njeno vračilo [10].
Pursuant to point 12 of the restructuring aid guidelines, therefore, it was ineligible for restructuring aid.
V skladu s točko 12 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje podjetje torej ni bilo upravičeno do pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
Consequently, the delay by France in recovering the aid declared incompatible in December 2003 until the time when the company no longer constituted a newly created firm, and became eligible for restructuring aid, might constitute a circumvention of the prohibition in point 12 of the restructuring aid guidelines
Zato bi lahko dejstvo, da je Francija tako dolgo odlašala z izterjavo pomoči, ki je bila decembra 2003 razglašena za nezdružljivo, da se podjetje ni več štelo za novo podjetje in je bilo tako upravičeno do pomoči za prestrukturiranje, pomenilo izigravanje prepovedi iz točke 12 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
Observing that the notified aid seemed to serve largely to finance the reimbursement of the Article 44 septies aid, the Commission expressed concerns that it might constitute a circumvention of the obligation to reimburse that incompatible aid, rendering its recovery meaningless and redundant.
Ker se je Komisiji zdelo, da je večina priglašene pomoči namenjena financiranju vračila pomoči na podlagi člena 44f, je izrazila sum, da priglašena pomoč pomeni izigravanje obveznosti vračila navedene nezdružljive pomoči, njeni izterjavi pa jemlje bistvo in polni učinek.
First, observing that the turnover forecast for 2007 was approximately 20 % up on the previous year, it wondered what factors that forecast was based on.
Komisija je po eni strani ob ugotovitvi, da je bil pričakovani promet za leto 2007 za približno 20 % večji v primerjavi s predhodnim letom, zanimalo, na katerih podatkih temelji ta napoved.
Secondly, it noted that the restructuring plan did not indicate how FagorBrandt intended to reimburse the incompatible aid received by its Italian subsidiary.
Po drugi strani je Komisija opozorila, da v načrtu prestrukturiranja ni navedeno, kako namerava FagorBrandt vrniti nezdružljivo pomoč, ki jo je prejela njegova italijanska podružnica.
The Commission doubted whether the absence of compensatory measures additional to those already taken as part of the restructuring plan was acceptable.
Komisija je tudi dvomila, ali je sprejemljivo, da se poleg že sprejetih izravnalnih ukrepov na podlagi načrta prestrukturiranja ne izvajajo dodatni izravnalni ukrepi.
It drew attention to the following:
Komisija je opozorila, da:
the restructuring aid guidelines (points 38 to 41) obliged aid recipients fulfilling the ‘large enterprise’ criterion to take compensatory measures;
smernice o pomoči za prestrukturiranje (točke od 38 do 41) nalagajo upravičencem, ki izpolnjujejo merilo za „veliko podjetje“, da morajo uvesti izravnalne ukrepe;
without aid, FagorBrandt would be forced out of the market, but on the other hand FagorBrandt’s competitors were for the most part European; the disappearance of FagorBrandt would accordingly enable its European competitors to increase their sales and output significantly;
bi po eni strani podjetje FagorBrandt brez pomoči zapustilo trg, po drugi strani pa so njegovi konkurenti večinoma evropska podjetja. Zaradi izginotja podjetja FagorBrandt bi lahko evropski konkurenti bistveno povečali svojo proizvodnjo in prodajo;
it would appear, in the light of point 40 of the restructuring aid guidelines, that not all the measures already taken could be counted as compensatory measures; and
se zdi, da vseh že izvedenih ukrepov na podlagi točke 40 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje ni mogoče šteti za izravnalne ukrepe;
the guidelines applicable when the Bull [11] and Euromoteurs [12] cases cited by France were examined did not require companies to take compensatory measures.
je nazadnje sama poudarila, da se s smernicami, ki so se uporabljale ob proučitvi primerov Bull [11] in Euromoteurs [12], na katera se sklicuje Francija, niso nalagale obveznosti izvajanja izravnalnih ukrepov.
Finally, the Commission expressed doubts about whether the requirements of points 43 and 44 of the restructuring aid guidelines were met.
Nazadnje je Komisija izrazila dvome o izpolnitvi pogojev iz točk 43 in 44 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
To remain competitive, the company has had to take drastic measures such as closing eight plants in western Europe, the output of which has been mainly relocated to other existing plants in Europe and to new plants in Poland and Hungary.
Za ohranitev konkurenčnosti je bilo podjetje prisiljeno sprejeti drastične ukrepe, kot je zaprtje osmih tovarn v zahodni Evropi, katerih proizvodnja se je večinoma preselila v druge že delujoče tovarne po Evropi ter nove tovarne na Poljskem in Madžarskem.
Consequently, Electrolux is unhappy at the possibility of FagorBrandt receiving a subsidy to help it cope with a situation which the rest of the sector is having to manage without similar assistance.
Zato je navedeno podjetje izrazilo pomisleke, ker bi podjetje FagorBrandt lahko prejelo podporo za reševanje iz položaja, ki ga mora preostali sektor urediti brez podobne pomoči.
Secondly, it considers that the aid is not limited to the necessary minimum, inasmuch as FagorBrandt could obtain the financing needed for its restructuring from its shareholder and from the cooperative to which its shareholder belongs (MCC, of which the bank Caja Laboral forms part).
Drugič, konkurent meni, da pomoč ni omejena na najmanjšo potrebno, saj bi lahko podjetje FagorBrandt potrebna finančna sredstva za prestrukturiranje dobilo pri svojem delničarju in v zadrugi (to je skupini MCC, katere del je banka Caja Laboral), v katero je slednji vključen.
FagorBrandt is the fifth largest operator at European level, with a strong position in the French, Spanish and Polish markets.
Po drugi strani je FagorBrandt peti akter na evropski ravni in ima močan položaj na francoskem, španskem in poljskem trgu.
The competitor considers, therefore, that in the absence of compensatory measures the Commission cannot declare the aid compatible.
Zato konkurent meni, da brez izravnalnih ukrepov Komisija pomoči ne more razglasiti za združljivo.
Fourthly, the granting of unlawful aid by France and Italy in the past leads to two conclusions: firstly, FagorBrandt’s difficulties are recurring, raising the question of its viability; and secondly, the notified aid will probably be used to reimburse unlawful aid, thereby circumventing the reimbursement obligation.
Četrtič, pretekla dodelitev nezakonitih pomoči Francije in Italije vodi do dveh ugotovitev: po eni strani se težave podjetja FagorBrandt ponavljajo, kar postavlja pod vprašaj njegovo sposobnost preživetja, po drugi strani pa se bo priglašena pomoč verjetno uporabila za vračilo nezakonitih pomoči, kar bi pomenilo izigravanje obveznosti vračila.
Comments from France on the opening decision
Stališča Francije v zvezi s sklepom o začetku postopka
Regarding a possible circumvention of the prohibition on restructuring aid to newly created firms, the French authorities do not contest that, in accordance with point 12 of the restructuring aid guidelines, FagorBrandt was to be considered ‘a newly created firm’ during the three years following its formation.
Kar zadeva morebitno izigravanje prepovedi dodelitve pomoči za prestrukturiranje za nova podjetja, francoski organi ne zanikajo, da je treba FagorBrandt v skladu z točko 12 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje v prvih treh letih po ustanovitvi šteti za „novo podjetje“.
Regarding the restoration of long-term viability and the two corresponding doubts raised in the opening decision, the French authorities make a number of comments.
Francoski organi v zvezi s ponovno vzpostavitvijo dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja in s tem povezanima dvomoma iz sklepa o začetku postopka opozarjajo na naslednje.
FagorBrandt has a [0-5] % [13] share of the European market, which is very little compared with its main competitors.
FagorBrandt ima namreč manj kot [0–5]-odstotni [13] tržni delež na evropski ravni, kar je zelo malo v primerjavi z njegovimi glavnimi konkurenti.
As for the ‘recipient’s own share’, as it is called in the notification (effort propre du bénéficiaire), the French authorities explain that this consists of bank loans.
Glede „lastnega stroška upravičenca“, kot je poimenovan v priglasitvi, francoski organi pojasnjujejo, da so to bančna posojila.
In response to Electrolux’s comments, France states that the restructuring measures taken by Electrolux and other competitors were aimed not at remedying a difficult economic situation but at bolstering positions in the large electrical household appliance market.
Francija v zvezi s stališči podjetja Electrolux poudarja, da ukrepi prestrukturiranja, ki so jih uvedli Electrolux in drugi konkurenti, niso bili namenjeni reševanju iz težkega gospodarskega položaja, temveč krepitvi položaja na trgu bele tehnike.
In response to the comments concerning FagorBrandt’s long-term viability put forward by the company requesting anonymity, the French authorities state, firstly, that FagorBrandt has taken measures aimed initially at stemming losses and strengthening margins so as to be able ultimately to attain a better position in the market, notably by developing […].
Francoski organi v zvezi s stališči podjetja, ki je želelo ostati anonimno, glede dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja podjetja FagorBrandt poudarjajo, prvič, da je podjetje FagorBrandt sprejelo ukrepe, ki so bili namenjeni „predvsem omejevanju izgub in povečanju varnostne rezerve, da bi lahko v nekaj letih dosegli boljši položaj na trgu, zlasti z razvojem […]“.
Concerning, secondly, the assertion that the aid is not limited to the minimum, inasmuch as FagorBrandt could obtain financing from its shareholders, the French authorities point out that MCC is a cooperative movement, not a holding company.
Francoski organi v zvezi s trditvijo, da pomoč ni omejena na najmanjšo, ker bi FagorBrandt lahko financirali njegovi delničarji, poudarjajo, da MCC ni holding, ampak zadružna organizacija.
FagorBrandt can therefore count on the financial support only of Fagor, to the extent of the latter’s existing capabilities.
FagorBrandt tako lahko računa samo na finančno pomoč družbe Fagor, ki je omejena na svoje trenutne zmogljivosti.
The acquisition of FagorBrandt has reduced the amount of cash available to Fagor, and Fagor cannot now provide any financing above a certain threshold.
Zaradi prevzema podjetja FagorBrandt se je manevrski prostor družbe Fagor pri razpolaganju z likvidnimi sredstvi zmanjšal, in Fagor danes ne more odobriti finančnih sredstev nad določenim pragom.
On the one hand, that party asserts that the aid would affect competition in the European market, while on the other it states that FagorBrandt is too small compared with the majors and that this threatens its viability.
Ta po eni strani trdi, da naj bi pomoč vplivala na pogoje konkurence na evropskem trgu. Po drugi strani pa trdi, da je podjetje FagorBrandt premajhno v primerjavi z največjimi podjetji, kar ogroža njegovo sposobnost preživetja.
Fourthly, in answer to the statements based on the earlier award of unlawful aid by France and Italy, France points out that those unlawful aid measures were directed, not at a restructuring programme for the company, but at a scheme to promote the maintenance of employment in France.
Četrtič, Francija v odgovor na trditve, ki se opirajo na predhodno dodelitev nezakonite pomoči Francije in Italije, opozarja, da ta nezakonita pomoč ni bila namenjena programu prestrukturiranja podjetja, ampak sistemu spodbujanja ohranjanja delovnih mest na njenem ozemlju.
It stresses, moreover, that, on the basis of the information FagorBrandt provided to the Commission on 17 December 2007, there is no actual relationship between the amount of aid granted (approximately EUR 20 million net after tax) and the amount of incompatible aid (approximately EUR 27,3 million including interest).
Sicer pa Francija na podlagi informacij, ki jih je podjetje FagorBrandt Komisiji predložilo 17. decembra 2007, poudarja, da ni prave povezave med zneskom dodeljene pomoči (približno 20 milijonov EUR neto pomoči po odbitku davkov) in zneskom nezdružljive pomoči (približno 27,3 milijona EUR po izračunu obresti).
Furthermore, the restructuring costs are estimated at EUR 62,5 million and hence are significantly higher than the amount of restructuring aid sought.
Poleg tega se stroški prestrukturiranja ocenjujejo na 62,5 milijona EUR, torej močno presegajo znesek zaprošene pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
The Commission considers that the measure constitutes state aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU.
Komisija ugotavlja, da ukrep pomeni državno pomoč v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU.
It takes the form of a grant given by the French Government, and is consequently financed out of state resources and is imputable to the State.
Pomoč se izvaja v obliki subvencije francoske vlade, zato se financira iz državnih virov in jo je mogoče pripisati državi.
It is aimed solely at FagorBrandt, and is thus a selective measure.
Ukrep se nanaša samo na podjetje FagorBrandt in je torej selektiven.
The grant favours FagorBrandt by providing it with additional resources and preventing it from having to cease trading.
S subvencijo se je podjetju FagorBrandt zagotovila prednost, saj je tako to podjetje dobilo dodatna sredstva in mu ni bilo treba prenehati z izvajanjem svojih dejavnosti.
It therefore threatens to distort competition between manufacturers of large electrical household appliances.
Ta ukrep bi torej lahko izkrivljal konkurenco med proizvajalci bele tehnike.
In the market for large electrical household appliances there is extensive trade between Member States.
Za trg bele tehnike so namreč značilni pomembni trgovinski tokovi med državami članicami.
The Commission concludes that the notified measure constitutes state aid.
Zato Komisija ugotavlja, da priglašeni ukrep vključuje državno pomoč.
France does not dispute that conclusion.
Francija te ugotovitve ne izpodbija.
Legal basis for a finding of compatibility
Pravna podlaga združljivosti pomoči
Article 107(1) of the TFEU imposes a general ban on state aid, and Article 107(2) and (3) provide for exceptions.
Člen 107(2) in (3) PDEU določa odstopanja od splošne nezdružljivosti, določene v odstavku 1 navedenega člena.
The exceptions in Article 107(2) of the Treaty are clearly not applicable here.
Odstopanja, določena v členu 107(2) PDEU, se v obravnavanem primeru očitno ne uporabljajo.
As for the exceptions in Article 107(3), the Commission would point out that the objective of the aid is not regional, and the exception in point (b) is clearly not applicable, so that only the exception in point (c) can apply.
Komisija v zvezi z odstopanji, določenimi v členu 107(3) PDEU, ugotavlja, da se uporablja samo odstopanje iz točke (c) navedenega odstavka, ker cilj pomoči ni regionalen in ker se odstopanje iz točke (b) navedenega odstavka očitno ne uporablja.
This provides for the authorisation of state aid granted to facilitate the development of certain economic activities, where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.
Ta točka določa odobritev državne pomoči za pospeševanje razvoja določenih gospodarskih dejavnosti, kadar takšna pomoč ne spreminja trgovinskih pogojev v obsegu, ki bi bil v nasprotju s skupnimi interesi.
It is common ground that the aid at issue was granted with a view to restoring the long-term viability of a firm in difficulty.
V tem primeru ni dvoma, da je bila pomoč dodeljena za ponovno vzpostavitev dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja podjetja v težavah.
How the Commission assesses the compatibility of such aid is explained in the restructuring aid guidelines.
Komisija je v smernicah o pomoči za prestrukturiranje pojasnila, kako ocenjuje združljivost takih pomoči.
France has, moreover, invoked no other exception provided for in the TFEU.
Sicer pa se Francija ni sklicevala na nobeno drugo odstopanje od PDEU.
Nor has any of the interested parties criticised this choice of legal basis, which was already announced in the opening decision.
Poleg tega nobena od zainteresiranih strani ni nasprotovala izbiri te pravne podlage, ki je bila navedena že v sklepu o začetku postopka.
The relevant period for purposes of the assessment
Časovni okvir analize
The General Court has held that when one of its decisions is annulled the Commission is required to base its new analysis solely on information which was available to it at the time it adopted the decision [14], which in this case is 21 October 2008.
Potem ko Komisija eno od svojih odločb razglasi za nično, mora v skladu s sodno prakso Splošnega sodišča [14] njena nova analiza temeljiti izključno na informacijah, ki jih je imela v času sprejetja odločbe, ki je bila razglašena za nično, tj. v obravnavanem primeru 21. oktobra 2008.
No account is to be taken of events that may have taken place after 21 October 2008.
Dogodki, ki so se morda zgodili po 21. oktobru 2008, se torej ne smejo upoštevati.
Changes that may have taken place in the market or in the situation of the recipient of the aid must be excluded from the analysis.
Spremembe v zvezi s tržnim gibanjem ali položajem upravičenca do pomoči je treba izključiti iz analize.
Nor will the Commission consider the period of implementation of the restructuring plan from October 2008 onward [15].
Prav tako Komisija ne upošteva obdobja izvajanja načrta prestrukturiranja po oktobru 2008 [15].
In the same way, the Commission is not under an obligation to start the investigation of the case afresh or even to supplement it by resorting to new technical expertise [16].
Komisija poleg tega ni dolžna ponovno preiskati zadeve niti je dopolniti z novim tehničnim strokovnim znanjem [16].
The annulment of an act concluding an administrative proceeding which comprises several stages does not necessarily entail the annulment of the entire procedure prior to the adoption of the contested act.
Razglasitev ničnosti akta, ki pomeni konec večfaznega upravnega postopka, ne povzroči nujno ničnosti celotnega postopka.
In cases, such as the present one, where, in spite of the fact that investigation measures have been taken allowing an exhaustive analysis to be made of the compatibility of the aid, the analysis carried out by the Commission is incomplete, thus making the decision unlawful, the procedure for replacing that decision can be resumed at that point by means of a fresh analysis of the investigation measures taken previously [17].
Če se, tako kot v obravnavanem primeru, analiza Komisije kljub preiskovalnim dejanjem, ki omogočajo izčrpno analizo združljivosti pomoči, izkaže za nepopolno, in tako povzroči nezakonitost odločbe, je mogoče postopek za nadomestitev te odločbe nadaljevati na podlagi že izvedenih preiskovalnih dejanj [17].
Since the Commission is required to base its new analysis solely on information which was available to it in October 2008, information in respect of which both the French authorities and FagorBrandt have already defined their position, it is unnecessary to consult them afresh [18].
Ker mora nova analiza Komisije temeljiti izključno na informacijah, ki so bile na voljo oktobra 2008, to je na informacijah, o katerih so se francoski organi in FagorBrandt že opredelili, se z njimi ni treba ponovno posvetovati [18].
Finally, the right of interested parties to submit their comments was ensured when the opening decision was published in the Official Journal [19], and there is no provision in Regulation No 659/1999 requiring that that opportunity be made available to them again where the original plan has been amended during the investigation procedure [20].
Nazadnje, pravica tretjih zainteresiranih strani, da predložijo svoja stališča, je bila zagotovljena z objavo obvestila o začetku postopka v Uradnem listu [19], nobena določba Uredbe št. 659/1999 pa ne določa, da jim je treba to možnost dati ponovno, če se začetni načrt prestrukturiranja spremeni med presojo [20].
The present decision is accordingly based solely on the information available on 21 October 2008.
Ta sklep tako temelji izključno na elementih, ki so bili na voljo 21. oktobra 2008.
In order to be eligible for restructuring aid, the company must first qualify as a firm in difficulty as defined in section 2.1 of the restructuring aid guidelines.
Podjetje je upravičeno do pomoči za prestrukturiranje, če se, prvič, lahko šteje za podjetje v težavah, kot je določeno v oddelku 2.1 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
In paragraph 24 of the opening decision, the Commission indicated that the company appeared to be in difficulty within the meaning of point 11 of the restructuring aid guidelines.
Komisija je v točki 24 sklepa o začetku postopka navedla, da gre verjetno za podjetje v težavah v smislu točke 11 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
In paragraph 27 of the opening decision, the Commission also indicated that, in line with the scenario in point 13 of the restructuring aid guidelines, the company’s difficulties had become too serious to be dealt with by its Spanish shareholder.
V točki 27 sklepa o začetku postopka je tudi navedla, da se je v skladu s točko 13 smernic o pomoči za prestrukturiranje podjetje znašlo v prevelikih težavah, da bi ga lahko financiral njegov španski delničar.
Disagreeing with this preliminary assessment, the competitor requesting anonymity took the view that FagorBrandt could obtain from Fagor and MCC whatever financial support it needed to overcome its difficulties.
V nasprotju s to predhodno oceno pa konkurent, ki je želel ostati anonimen, meni, da bi lahko podjetje FagorBrandt od družbe Fagor in skupine MCC prejelo potrebno finančno pomoč za rešitev težav.
It must therefore be considered whether the preliminary assessment contained in the opening decision needs to be modified.
Preučiti je torej treba, ali je treba spremeniti predhodno oceno iz sklepa o začetku postopka.