natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In the event that this amount were categorised as State aid compatible with Article 86(2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission took the view that it had to be assessed in the light of the Community Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (hereinafter: ‘the 2004 guidelines’) [73].
Francija meni, da je prek navedenega deleža ravnala kot preudaren vlagatelj, saj je po eni strani kot manjšinska delničarka posredovala sočasno z BCP in VT, po drugi pa navedeni delež zagotavlja plačilo v fiksnem kapitalu v višini […] [60] Zaupen podatek.
In so far as the amount of restructuring aid is noticeably lower than that notified in 2002 and approved in 2003, the Commission expressed doubts as to whether it was appropriate to maintain all of the compensatory measures imposed on SNCM by the 2003 decision.
% na leto, kar ščiti državo pred tveganji, povezanimi z izvajanjem poslovnega načrta.
The Commission also expressed doubts about whether the conditions imposed by the 2003 decision had been complied with, namely the principle of price leadership and the frequency of services to Corsica.
Francija trdi, da je navedena stopnja donosa zelo zadovoljiva za zasebnega vlagatelja [85].
As regards the negative price at which SNCM was sold, the Commission had doubts about whether the recapitalisation by the State prior to the sale of SNCM complied with the principle of the private investor in a market economy.
Vendar poudarja, da v primeru stečaja ali prisilne likvidacije družbe SNCM ali če bi kupci uveljavili razvezno klavzulo, ne bi bilo treba izvršiti nobenih plačil.
In particular, the Commission expressed doubts as to the validity of the calculation of the liquidation costs which the State as shareholder would be required to pay in the event of SNCM being liquidated.
O dodatnih socialnih ukrepih (pomoč osebam)
The Commission questioned whether the financial measures could be justified under the 2004 guidelines.
Na podlagi prakse Komisije pri preteklih odločbah, zlasti zadevi SFP (Société française de production) [86], Francija meni, da to financiranje pomeni pomoč za osebe in ne koristi podjetju.
It also cast doubts on the second recapitalisation of EUR 8,75 million in relation to observance of the principles of concomitance of the private and public investment and the similarity of the subscription conditions within the meaning of the case-law.
Zato je izvedba dodatnih socialnih ukrepov v korist odpuščenih oseb, za katere se uporabijo javna sredstva in ki delodajalca ne razbremenijo njegovih običajnih obveznosti, del socialne politike držav članic in ne pomeni državne pomoči.
Finally, the Commission expressed doubts as to whether the additional social measures of EUR 38,5 million in aid to individuals could constitute an indirect advantage for the undertaking.
O odpravi omejitev, določenih z razveljavljeno odločbo iz leta 2003
It also highlighted the risk of conflict with the supplementary redundancy payments as part of the risks borne by a prudent investor.
SKLEP
OBSERVATIONS BY THE FRENCH AUTHORITIES ON THE OPENING DECISION
Če bi Komisija vseeno vse nove ukrepe ali del teh ukrepov opredelila kot državno pomoč, bi Francija Komisijo opozorila, da novi ukrepi z zagotavljanjem obnove sposobnosti preživetja družbe SNCM omogočajo ohranitev konkurenčnosti na zadevnih trgih, zlasti na trgu povezav s Korziko.
ON THE 2002 RECAPITALISATION
Po mnenju Francije je ta element eno izmed načel smernic pri reševanju podjetja v težavah, kot sta v obravnavanem primeru na to opozorila Komisija (uvodna izjava 283 razveljavljene odločbe) in Splošno sodišče v svoji sodbi z dne 15. junija 2005 v zadevi T-349/03 (točka 117).
The restructuring plan notified in 2002 consisted of a capital contribution of EUR 76 million, of which EUR 53,48 million was public service compensation.
Sodišče je poudarilo zlasti, da lahko Komisija pri izvajanju svoje široke diskrecijske pravice presodi, da je bila prisotnost podjetja potrebna za preprečitev okrepljene oligopolne strukture zadevnih trgov.
Allowing for the sale of shares carried out by SNCM [74], the amount of aid actually paid becomes EUR 69292400.
Francija v zvezi z določitvijo kakršnih koli izravnalnih ukrepov, ki se bodo naložili družbi SNCM, predlaga, naj Komisija upošteva strukturo trga.
The French authorities take the view that, if the amount of EUR 53,48 million is compatible aid, then the amount of aid to be regarded as restructuring aid under the notification in 2002 is EUR 15,81 million.
Tako bi zmanjšanje zmogljivosti družbe SNCM okrepilo položaj družbe CFF na trgu povezav s Korziko, s tem pa bi ta pridobila prevladujoči položaj [87].
ON THE MEASURES SUBSEQUENT TO THE 2002 RECAPITALISATION
PRIPOMBE ZAINTERESIRANIH STRANI
Under the relevant Community case-law at the time, the French authorities call upon the Commission to take the view that the negative sale price of SNCM of EUR 158 million does not contain any measure which may be classified as aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty because the French State acted like a private investor in a market economy.
Družba CFF, ki izpodbija trditev, da je družba SNCM podjetje v težavah v smislu smernic [88], se sprašuje o sposobnosti družbe SNCM, da postane donosna na nesubvencioniranih linijah.
First of all, France observes that the final price of EUR 158 million, which is lower than the negative price that the buyers initially asked for after their audit of SNCM, is the result of a negotiation of transfer of control conducted under an open, transparent and non-discriminatory competitive tendering procedure and, for that reason, does in fact constitute a market price.
Ugotavlja še, da se v nasprotju z navedbami iz načrta prestrukturiranja [89] še vedno opravljajo povezave z Livornom.
France takes the view that, because the search for a private partner for SNCM was conducted under an open, transparent and non-discriminatory competitive tendering procedure at the end of which the best bid was chosen, the sale price is a market price.
Kar zadeva zmanjšanje stroškov, družba CFF obžaluje, da nima dostopa do posebnih delov načrta prestrukturiranja, v zvezi s katerimi so njeni predstavniki izrekli kritike [90].
According to the French authorities, the sale at the negative price of EUR 158 million took place under the most favourable conditions for the State in accordance with Community case-law at the time and the Commission’s decision-making practice and therefore contains no aid element.
Družba CFF meni, da je izračun francoskih organov, ki je privedel do zneska v višini 76 milijonov EUR, popolnoma fiktiven [91], razmerje lastnega kapitala do finančnih dolgov v višini 79 %, ki so ga določili francoski organi, pa se ji zdi pretirano [92].
France takes the view that that negative price is lower than the liquidation cost which the State would have had to bear in the event of the liquidation of the undertaking.
V zvezi z deleži družbe SNCM družba CFF ugotavlja, da nekatere izmed hčerinskih družb niso pomembne za dejavnosti pomorske družbe [93].
That is, in France’s view, the only conclusion which can be reached irrespective of whether the approach followed is that stemming from the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Communities (hereinafter: ‘the Gröditzer case-law’ [76]) or that based on the analysis of the actual costs of liquidating SNCM (the ABX decision [77]).
Družba CFF sklepa, da načrtovana pomoč vodi v neupoštevanje uredbe o kabotaži in nesmiselnost javnega razpisa za povezave iz Marseilla na Korziko.
As regards the first method, based on the Gröditzer case-law, France argues that that judgment confirmed the Commission’s assessment in its decision of 8 July 1999, to the effect that ‘the cost of liquidation comprises only the liquidation value of the assets’ [78].
Poudarja, da načrtovana pomoč ne sme omogočiti agresivnejše komercialne ponudbe družbe SNCM.
In that respect, the reports by CGMF [79] and Oddo-Hastings [80] estimate the liquidation value of the assets at a minimum of EUR 190,3 million on 30 September 2005 [81].
Predlaga, naj se pomoč za prestrukturiranje dodeli šele leta 2007 in samo v primeru neuspeha družbe SNCM na javnem razpisu leta 2006, kar je edini scenarij, po katerem bi družba resnično zašla v težave.
Accordingly, given that the State as the owner and shareholder of a company is liable for its debts only up to the liquidation value of its assets (Hytasa case-law [82]), France asserts that the liquidation value of the company’s assets estimated to be at least EUR 190,3 million is considerably higher than the negative sale price of EUR 158 million.
Pripombe družbe STIM
On the second method, France points out that it follows from the Commission decision on the State aid implemented by Belgium for ABX Logistics, in which the Commission examined a negative sale price having, as in this case, the character of a market price by comparing it to the costs which the State as shareholder would actually bear in the event of a voluntary liquidation or compulsory liquidation as assessed by an independent third party.
Družba STIM, glavna delničarka družbe CMN, trdi, da bi bilo treba deleže, ki jih ima družba SNCM v družbi CMN, analizirati kot popolnoma finančna sredstva.
According to France, the Commission recognises in particular in that decision the validity of a certain number of costs which can result from an action by creditors to make good a shortfall in assets (action en comblement de passif) or from the liquidation for other divisions of the group liquidating its subsidiary.
Po mnenju družbe STIM sta družbi CMN in SNCM neodvisni in si konkurirata na linijah, ki niso linije z odhodom iz Marseilla, čeprav sta sopogodbenici na podlagi pogodbe o prenosu pooblastil javne službe.
On the basis of the CGMF and Oddo-Hastings reports cited above, the French authorities submit that the actual costs which the French Republic would have to bear as shareholder amount to between EUR 312,1 million and EUR 361 million on 30 September 2005, broken down as follows:
V dopisu je navedeno, da si bo STIM prizadevala, da „odkupi vse deleže ali del deležev družbe SNCM v družbi CMN, a najraje celotni delež“, katerega vrednost ocenjuje na od 15 do 17 milijonov EUR, če bi Komisija pod pogoji, ki bi jih lahko določila v svoji končni odločbi, menila, da „je taka prodaja potrebna za zagotovitev ustrezne uravnoteženosti načrta prestrukturiranja“.
EUR [70-80] [60] Confidential information.
Pripombe predstavnikov regionalnih in lokalnih organov
EUR [30-40] [60] Confidential information.
Predsednik regionalnega sveta Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur je dodal, da se zdi, da so pogoji za to, da načrt prestrukturiranja družbe SNCM zagotovi sposobnost preživetja podjetja, izpolnjeni.
million under the social plan not under collective agreement, which covers all the costs associated with the flanking measures to SNCM’s statutory and regulatory redundancy obligations and the indirect costs of the social plan under collective agreement,
Predsednik izvršnega sveta skupščine Korzike je predstavil posvetovanja skupščine z dne 18. decembra 2002, med katerimi je skupščina izdala „ugodno mnenje“ za načrt dokapitalizacije družbe SNCM.
Between EUR [200-210] [60] Confidential information.
Pripombe prometnega urada Korzike
million and EUR [250-260] [60] Confidential information.
Prometni urad Korzike ugotavlja, da bi izginotje družbe SNCM „nemudoma povzročilo veliko zmanjšanje storitev“, saj je družba zdaj edina, ki je zmožna izpolniti zahteve iz pogodbe glede prevoza potnikov.
million as payment of supplementary redundancy payments for which the State would be held liable by the court, in addition to the compensation paid under the social plan under collective agreement and the social plan not under collective agreement, following the Aspocomp Group Oyj judgment of 22 March 2005 of the Rouen Court of Appeal.
Poleg tega opozarja, da je družba SNCM pomembna za gospodarstvo Korzike.
That method takes account, in particular, of the risk that the French State would be required to make good a shortfall in assets if the court were to consider it to be the de facto manager of SNCM.
O ODLOČBI IZ LETA 2006 O RAZŠIRITVI POSTOPKA
Accordingly, in several letters to the Commission, the French authorities submitted that a situation in which a national court orders the State to make good a shortfall in the assets of the undertaking which it manages is a scenario which is more than plausible and that it had to be taken into account in calculating the actual cost of a possible liquidation of SNCM.
Družba CFF poudarja obseg zadevnih zneskov, njihovo nesorazmernost glede na promet družbe SNCM in dejstvo, da so bili družbi SNCM izplačani, preden je Komisija odločila o opredelitvi pomoči na podlagi člena 87(1) Pogodbe ES.
On 30 September 2005, the residual value of SNCM’s assets (EUR 190,3 million) was, after payment of preferential debts, EUR 36,5 million.
Komisijo opozarja, da ima podpora francoske države družbi SNCM strateški pomen za razvoj družbe CFF.
Other cost elements taken into account under the action to make good a shortfall in assets against the State include, inter alia, the costs of termination of the principal operating contracts, the costs related to the cancellation of the lease purchasing conditions of vessels and the payment of unsecured debts, which would result in a shortfall in assets of EUR 134,4 million.
Ti nepooblaščeni ukrepi družbi SNCM omogočajo izvajanje zelo agresivne tarifne politike na linijah, na katerih CFF deluje že deset let in v zvezi s katerimi se prvič od svoje ustanovitve srečuje z izgubo tržnega deleža.
The French authorities consider that the State would have been ordered to pay between 85 % and 100 % of that amount.
CFF v zvezi s konkurenčnim razpisnim postopkom za prodajo družbe meni, da ni bil popolnoma pregleden, ker izbrano podjetje BCP nima več operativnega nadzora nad družbo SNCM, saj ga je predala skupini VT.
Furthermore, the French authorities take the view that, because of SNCM’s dependence on the State, and in the light of another French case [84], the liquidation of the undertaking might have led the court to order the payment of damages to employees.
Poleg tega zaradi spremembe finančnih pogojev v korist kupcev družba CFF dvomi o načelu enake obravnave vlagateljev, ki bi moralo prevladovati v celotnem postopku.
According to that case-law, the French authorities believe that it would be very likely that a court would set the amount of additional compensation on the basis of the compensation which would be paid under a social plan submitted prior to the liquidation.
CFF v zvezi z negativno prodajno ceno 158 milijonov EUR dvomi, da se je v zadevnem primeru uporabilo merilo preudarnega vlagatelja v tržnem gospodarstvu.
Under that approach, the analysis of actual costs which the State as shareholder would have had to pay shows that the cost to the State of the sale of SNCM at a negative price of EUR 158 million is lower than the actual cost which it would have had to bear in the event of the compulsory liquidation of the undertaking.
Prvič, CFF se sprašuje, ali je mogoče šteti, da je država zadevni postopek izvedla vzporedno s pomembnim in sočasnim posredovanjem zasebnih subjektov v primerljivih razmerah, medtem ko je dokapitalizirala družbo pred skupno dokapitalizacijo delničarjev in novim načrtom prestrukturiranja.
In conclusion, the French authorities consider that this amount cannot be classified as State aid.
Drugič, CFF meni, da bi preudaren vlagatelj zaradi resnih finančnih razmer v družbi SNCM posredoval prej, da bi preprečil izgubo vrednosti svoje naložbe [94].
On the joint capital contribution by the shareholders
CFF meni, da je sklicevanje na zadevo ABX Logistics brezpredmetno.
France takes the view that, through that shareholding, it acted like a prudent investor because, first, it intervened concurrently as a minority shareholder alongside BCP and VT and, second, that shareholding enjoys a fixed capital return of […] [60] Confidential information.
Poleg tega, da okoliščin navedene zadeve ni mogoče prenesti na obravnavani primer, CFF izpostavlja pomemben prispevek upravičenca pomoči v navedeni zadevi, ki se očitno ni pojavil v primeru družbe SNCM.
% per year, which protects the State from the risks associated with the implementation of the business plan.
Meni še, da se v odločbi Komisije iz leta 2006 niso upoštevali stroški v zvezi s tveganjem sodnih postopkov zaradi likvidacije zadevnega podjetja.
France argues that that rate of return is very satisfactory for a private investor [85].
V zvezi s tem trdi, da v zadevnem primeru ni mogoče uporabiti nacionalne sodne prakse, na katero se sklicuje Francija pri utemeljitvi stroškov, povezanih z likvidacijo SNCM.
It points out, however, that no payment would be due in the event that SNCM is put into receivership or compulsory liquidation or that the buyers exercise the cancellation clause.
Po mnenju družbe CFF se kasacijsko sodišče v zadevi Mines et produits chimiques de Salsignes nikjer ne sklicuje na neposredno odgovornost države delničarke v primeru likvidacije podjetja, v katerem ima delež, ampak izpostavlja možnost tožbe za plačilo dolgovanih plač in dolgov za socialno varnost, vložene zoper industrijsko in komercialno javno podjetje, ter nezmožnost, da se njeni vodje izognejo svojim obveznostim s sklicevanjem na posredovanje javnih organov.
On the additional social measures (aid to individuals)
CFF v zvezi z neuporabnostjo sodne prakse, ki jo je uporabilo pritožbeno sodišče v Rouenu v zadevi Aspocomp, v zadevnem primeru trdi, da je predmet navedene sodbe, ki se nanaša na odredbo, da mora matična družba zaposlenim v hčerinski družbi zaradi „neupoštevanja sporazuma“ izplačati socialne prejemke, ki jo je ustanoviteljica potrdila, povsem drugačen od dejstev v primeru SNCM.
France takes the view, relying on the Commission’s practice in previous decisions, in particular the SFP (Société française de production) case [86], that this financing constitutes aid to individuals which does not benefit the undertaking.
Zato ne obstaja zanesljivo tveganje, da bi bila družba CGMF ali država obsojena na plačilo odpravnin v primeru prisilne likvidacije.
Accordingly, the implementation from public funds of additional social measures for persons laid off, without those measures relieving the employer from its usual responsibilities, falls within the scope of the social policy of the Member States and is not State aid.
Poleg tega CFF dvomi o oceni drugih socialnih stroškov, ker se zdi, da se razlikujejo glede na strokovnjake, ki so bili pozvani, naj jih ocenijo.
On the lifting of the restrictions imposed by the annulled decision of 2003
CFF meni, da lahko uporaba sodne prakse Skupnosti v zadevah Gröditzer in Hytasa v obravnavanem primeru privede samo do ugotovitve, da država ni ravnala kot zasebni vlagatelj, kolikor je bil v skladu z navedeno sodno prakso kapitalski vložek države povezan s prodajo 75 % njenega deleža v družbi SNCM, pri čemer so se sorazmerno zmanjšale možnosti za dobiček.
The French authorities point out, on the one hand, that the conditions imposed by the 2003 decision were all implemented and complied with in the period from 2003 to 2006.
Končno, CFF meni, da bi bilo treba pri primerjavi stroškov likvidacije in stroškov dokapitalizacije upoštevati vrednost sredstev, ki se v obeh primerih prenese na kupca.
On the other hand, the French authorities consider that those measures are no longer necessary to prevent a distortion of competition and that maintaining them would be contrary to the principle of proportionality, having regard to the limit on the amount of restructuring aid, henceforth reduced to EUR 15,81 million.
CFF meni, da je vrednost prodanih sredstev med 640 milijonov EUR in 755 milijonov EUR [95], prodajna vrednost ladjevja, ki jo je uporabila družba SNCM, pa je po mnenju CFF iz avgusta 2006 med 644 milijonov EUR in 664 milijonov EUR.
In particular, the French authorities take the view that it is necessary to lift the conditions which might still apply, namely those relating to the prohibition on modernising SNCM’s fleet, the observance of the principle of price leadership in tariff matters and the maintenance of frequency of services.
Kar zadeva opredelitev ukrepov po dokapitalizaciji iz leta 2002 kot pomoči za prestrukturiranje, CFF meni, da čeprav SNCM v obdobju pred prvo dokapitalizacijo v višini 142,5 milijona EUR izpolnjuje pogoje podjetja v težavah iz smernic iz leta 2004, ta opredelitev postane zelo sporna za obdobje pred drugim povečanjem kapitala za 8,75 milijona EUR, ker je bil kapital podjetja obnovljen.
CONCLUSION
CFF v zvezi s sposobnostjo preživetja družbe poudarja, da je prodaja družbe SNCM samo delna in ni nepreklicna glede na razvezne klavzule, dogovorjene s kupci.
If the Commission were, however, to classify all or part of the new measures as State aid, France would draw the Commission’s attention to the fact that the new measures, by ensuring that SNCM becomes viable again, allow competition to be maintained in the relevant markets, in particular the market for services to Corsica.
Navedeni dejavniki pomembno vplivajo na negotovost glede volje in sposobnosti kupcev, da zagotovijo okrevanje družbe SNCM in možnosti dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja podjetja.
According to France, that aspect is one of the principles of the guidelines in the rescue of an undertaking in difficulty as noted, in the present case, by the Commission (recital 283 of its annulled decision) and by the General Court in its judgment of 15 June 2005 in Case T-349/03 (paragraph 117).
CFF še navaja, da v nasprotju z zahtevami smernic iz leta 2004 francoski organi niso predvideli opustitve dejavnosti, ki so tudi po prestrukturiranju strukturno deficitne [96].
In particular, the latter pointed out that the Commission could consider, in the exercise of its wide discretion, that the presence of an undertaking was necessary in order to prevent the emergence of a strengthened oligopolistic structure in the relevant markets.
Poleg tega je CFF skeptična glede načrta znižanja stroškov, medtem ko naj bi se ladjevje družbe SNCM povečalo [97], in glede načrta zmanjšanja števila zaposlenih, zlasti glede na neuspeh socialnega načrta iz leta 2002.
As regards the determination of any compensatory measures to be imposed on SNCM, France suggests that the Commission take into account the structure of the market.
Da bi se preprečilo neupravičeno izkrivljanje konkurence, CFF meni, da je treba obnoviti in natančno določiti izravnalne ukrepe, naložene družbi SNCM leta 2003, ter dodati nove, ki se nanašajo na zmanjšanje prisotnosti družbe SNCM na trgu [98].
Accordingly, a reduction in SNCM’s capacity would be such as to strengthen the position of CFF in the market for services to Corsica, which would be dominant from then on [87].
CFF še meni, da del ukrepov, naloženih družbi SNCM z odločbo iz leta 2003, ni bil upoštevan.
According to the French authorities, the restructuring plan, as updated, complies with the compatibility criteria set out by the Commission in its 1999 and 2004 guidelines.
Nazadnje, SNCM od leta 2003 izvaja agresivno tarifno politiko z nižjimi cenami, kot jih uporablja CFF, kar je v nasprotju s členom 4 odločbe (do 30 % cenejše vozovnice za enake ali podobne storitve).
The French authorities maintain that all of the measures laid down in the context of SNCM’s privatisation should also serve to restore SNCM’s long-term viability from the end of 2009 and are restricted to the minimum necessary for that return to viability.
CFF v zvezi z naravo druge dokapitalizacije v znesku 8,75 milijona EUR meni, da mora biti poleg sočasnosti javne in zasebne naložbe zasebno posredovanje pomembno in opravljeno pod primerljivimi pogoji, da bi bilo posredovanje države veljavno.
COMMENTS BY INTERESTED PARTIES
Navedena pogoja v obravnavanem primeru nista izpolnjena.
ON THE DECISION TO INITIATE THE 2002 FORMAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
Prvič, delež kupcev, ki je tesno povezan s prvim povečanjem kapitala za 142,5 milijona EUR, ni pomemben.
Comments by Corsica Ferries (CFF)
Drugič, posredovanje kupcev ni bilo opravljeno pod pogoji, primerljivimi s pogoji države, zlasti zaradi razveznih klavzul in pričakovane donosnosti manjšinskega deleža družbe CGMF.