natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
However, intervention by a public authority does not necessarily confer an advantage on the beneficiary, and as such does not constitute aid if it is carried out under normal market conditions, in other words, if the public authority acted as a prudent operator in a market economy would have done in similar circumstances.
Poleg posebnosti posojila, odobrenega družbi Groupe Brandt, je prevzem posla na željo javnih organov banki Natixis omogočil nadaljevanje dejavnosti upravljanja drugih posojil iz sklada FDES tudi v prihodnje, zato njen položaj ni primerljiv s položajem Francije.
In this regard, the presence of significant investments of the same kind, carried out at the same time as the State intervention by other private operators taking similar risks (‘pari passu’), may provide an indication that France behaved as a prudent investor.
Poleg tega je sklad FDES za podporo družbi Fagor Brandt in nato družbi Groupe Brandt porabil skoraj 20 % svojega proračuna v višini 300 milijonov EUR, predvidenega v zakonu o financah za leto 2014, medtem ko sta se zasebna posojilodajalca glede na njuni posojilni sposobnosti izpostavila v veliko manjšem deležu.
For example, two days before the court-supervised administration procedure was initiated, on 5 November 2013, the French Government announced that: ‘Every effort must be made to preserve the industrial facilities of the household appliances group Fagor, which has a future in France’ [22].
Ker ni razlogov, da bi podvomili v obrestne mere iz sporočila iz leta 2008, Komisija meni, da se obrestna mera lahko izračuna na podlagi tržne obrestne mere.
On 6 November 2013, as a central works council met to discuss the future of the group, the Minister for Economic Regeneration explained that ‘the government wants to rescue as many industrial sites and jobs as it can at FagorBrandt’ [23].
Ker se lahko poroštva štejejo za običajna v smislu sporočila iz leta 2008 in ob upoštevanju dejstva, da se lahko družba Groupe Brandt šteje bodisi za novo podjetje bodisi za gospodarsko naslednico družbe FagorBrandt, je treba referenčni obrestni meri Francije (0,53 %) ob dodelitvi posojila prišteti 650 bazičnih točk.
On 19 December 2013, the Minister for Economic Regeneration, on a visit to one of FagorBrandt's plants, proclaimed: ‘Our aim is to manage the takeover, to show that this company is in working order … The government will prevent predators from taking over the group solely for its trademarks and patents’.
Komisija v skladu s preteklo prakso meni, da znesek pomoči ustreza razliki med 7,03-odstotno obrestno mero (0,53-odstotna obrestna mera Francije + 650 bazičnih točk), uporabljeno za glavnico posameznega obroka posojila, in sicer 11,2 milijona EUR, 23,8 milijona EUR oziroma 12,5 milijona EUR, in obrestnimi merami za obroke A, B, in C ([0–5] %, [0–5] %, [0–5] %), uporabljenimi za glavnico obrokov A, B in C, in sicer 11,2 milijona EUR, 23,8 milijona EUR oziroma 12,5 milijona EUR, izračunano za obdobje, v katerem je bil znesek na voljo družbi Groupe Brandt [30].
On 22 January 2014, the French Government stated: ‘The currently most competitive offer, in social and industrial terms, made by Cevital … has room for improvement by the time the Commercial Court hearing is held on 13 February’ [24].
Vpliv na konkurenco in trgovino med državami članicami
On 11 April 2014, a press release by the Minister for the Economy, Economic Regeneration and the Digital Economy — issued further to the decision of the Commercial Court in San Sebastian (Spain) which opened the way for the sale of FagorBrandt's trademarks to the Cevital group — explained that: ‘The government has stood by FagorBrandt since the beginning and will provide financial backing for the takeover bid so as to ensure the sustainability of its industrial facilities and protect jobs’.
Z ukrepi se daje prednost družbama FagorBrandt in Groupe Brandt, ker se jima zagotavljajo dodatna sredstva in izognitev prenehanju dejavnosti.
On 14 April 2014, a further press release by the Minister for the Economy, Economic Regeneration and the Digital Economy and the Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations — this time following the ruling of the Nanterre Commercial Court in favour of the takeover of FagorBrandt by the Cevital group — announced: ‘The Minister will keep a close eye on the restart of production on each site’.
Ukrepi so jima namreč omogočili ohranitev močnejšega konkurenčnega položaja, kot bi ga imeli, če pomoči ne bi bilo.
Accordingly, the Commission notes that, at each stage of the court-supervised administration procedure, France has publicly and repeatedly demonstrated its determination to ensure that FagorBrandt stays in business, for reasons relating to the preservation of business and jobs that a private investor would not be able to rely on and which contradict the supposed prudent nature of the lending transactions.
Ti ukrepi bi torej lahko izkrivljali konkurenco med proizvajalci bele tehnike.
In addition, the Commission notes that the assets of Fagor Electrodomésticos (under a safeguard procedure since October 2013 in Spain), which were previously allocated to FagorBrandt, were acquired by CATA-CAN without public support.
Za trg bele tehnike so sicer značilni pomembni trgovinski tokovi med državami članicami.
CATA-CAN took over the industrial production of household appliances in September 2014.
Komisija zato ugotavlja, da gospodarska prednost, z obravnavanimi ukrepi dodeljena podjetju, ki deluje na trgu, odprtem za konkurenco, izkrivlja ali bi lahko izkrivljala konkurenco in vplivala na trgovino med državami članicami.
Finally, Cevital's commitment to purchase FagorBrandt was conditional on the obtainment of financing, including the second FDES loan.
Sklep glede obstoja državne pomoči v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU
The delay of one month in the repayment of tranche B confirms the risk analysis carried out by the private lenders [26].
Zlasti odstavka 2 in 3 člena 107 PDEU sta pravni podlagi, na podlagi katerih se lahko nekatere vrste pomoči štejejo za združljive z notranjim trgom.
On the other hand, the FDES incurred exposure of EUR 10 million, then EUR 47,5 million, despite the delay in repaying tranche B.
Komisija v obravnavani zadevi meni, da je bila pomoč dodeljena za ponovno vzpostavitev dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja podjetja v težavah.
Moreover, the FDES loan of EUR 10 million bears interest at the same level as the loan for half that amount granted by Thémis (EUR 5 million).
Zato je treba preučiti, ali bi se obravnavani ukrepi lahko šteli za združljive na podlagi člena 107(3) PDEU.
The Commission also notes that France did not contest this point in its reply to the opening decision, even though this was one of the main doubts raised by the Commission in the decision.
Veljavna pravna podlaga
In granting tranche B of the FDES loan, France conferred an economic advantage that a prudent lender would not have granted, or at least not on the same terms.
Točka 137 Smernic o državni pomoči za reševanje in prestrukturiranje nefinančnih podjetij v težavah [31] določa: „Komisija bo preverila združljivost kakršne koli pomoči za reševanje ali prestrukturiranje, ki je bila dodeljena brez njene odobritve in je zato v nasprotju s členom 108(3) Pogodbe, z notranjim trgom na podlagi teh smernic, če je del pomoči ali vsa pomoč dodeljena po objavi smernic v Uradnem listu Evropske unije“.
Tranche B has collateral which, though not weak (part of it is first-rank), cannot be considered strong, given that tranche B competes in this respect with tranche A of the FDES and Thémis loans (for the first-ranked guarantees) and benefits from a lower rank with regard to the pledge on immovable property.
Točka 138 dalje določa: „V vseh drugih primerih bo pomoč proučila na podlagi smernic, veljavnih ob dodelitvi pomoči“.
The collateral can therefore be considered normal within the meaning of the 2008 Communication.
Ker so bili obravnavani ukrepi odobreni novembra 2013 in aprila 2014, je treba njihovo združljivost preučiti z vidika smernic iz leta 2004.
Given its financial situation when the loan was granted, FagorBrandt must be considered a CCC-rated undertaking within the meaning of the 2008 Communication.
Francija ni predložila pripomb v zvezi z združljivostjo ukrepov.
In the absence of any evidence that would call into question the interest rates set out in the 2008 Communication, the Commission takes the view that the market rate can be calculated in accordance with it, giving a rate of 7,03 % (0,53 %, the reference rate for France at the time the loan was granted + 650 basis points).
Ker namreč posojila, dodeljena družbama FagorBrandt in Groupe Brandt, po njenem mnenju niso državna pomoč v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU, meni, da ni treba preveriti njihove skladnosti z načeli, določenimi v smernicah iz leta 2004.
The FDES loan of EUR 47,5 million is divided into three tranches: tranche A (EUR 11,2 million), tranche B (EUR 23,8 million) and tranche C (EUR 12,5 million).
Na podlagi te obveznosti je zlasti dolžna posredovati vse podatke, na podlagi katerih bo lahko ta institucija preverila, ali so izpolnjeni vsi pogoji za uporabo izjeme.“ [32]
The loans from Société Générale and Natixis are both for EUR 7,5 million and each one is divided into two tranches: tranche A (EUR 2,4 million) and tranche B (EUR 5,1 million).
Posojilo iz sklada FDES v višini 10 milijonov EUR družbi FagorBrandt
In the light of the information provided by France following the opening decision, it would appear that the value of the property collateral recently underwent an independent appraisal, which estimated it at EUR [30-50] million.
V obravnavani zadevi je družba FagorBrandt leta 2008 prejela pomoč za prestrukturiranje, ki jo je Komisija razglasila za združljivo.
Moreover, Groupe Brandt purchased the trademarks held by Fagor Ireland for EUR [20-30] million.
Komisija zato ugotavlja, da državna pomoč za družbo FagorBrandt na podlagi posojila iz sklada FDES z dne 25. novembra 2013 ni združljiva z notranjim trgom na podlagi pravil o uporabi člena 107(3)(c) PDEU, ki jih določajo smernice iz leta 2004.
The other collateral was not the subject of independent appraisals allowing the Commission to evaluate its quality.
Posojilo iz sklada FDES v višini 47,5 milijona EUR družbi Groupe Brandt
Accordingly, the Commission estimates that the collateral can be considered normal within the meaning of the 2008 Communication.
Kot je prikazano v oddelku 8.2, je treba družbo Groupe Brandt šteti za gospodarsko naslednico družbe FagorBrandt.
Interest rates.
Družba Groupe Brandt tako v skladu z načelom enkratnosti pomoči iz točk 72 in 73 smernic iz leta 2004 ni mogla prejeti pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
In response to the opening decision, France claims that the Commission was wrong to give Groupe Brandt a CCC rating because the company is part of the Cevital group, which is rated BB or even B. This argument is surprising to say the least.
Družba Groupe Brandt nikakor ne bi mogla prejeti državne pomoči iz naslova pomoči za prestrukturiranje.
Cevital is neither the borrower nor the guarantor of the FDES loan.
Komisija zato ugotavlja, da državna pomoč za družbo Groupe Brandt, dodeljena s posojilom iz sklada FDES z dne 24. aprila 2014, ni združljiva z notranjim trgom na podlagi pravil o uporabi člena 107(3)(c) PDEU, kot jih določajo smernice iz leta 2004.
The fact that the Cevital group is in such good financial health that it has a BB or even a B rating may reassure financial institutions thinking of lending to a subsidiary of the Cevital group, but in no way guarantees against the risk represented by Groupe Brandt's CCC rating.
IZTERJAVA IN GOSPODARSKA KONTINUITETA
On that basis, if France's argument that Groupe Brandt's borrowing capacity should be measured against that of Cevital is accepted, it is surprising to say the least that no private investor felt inclined to lend to Groupe Brandt.
Okvir analize
Moreover, as described in section 7.1.3.1, the statements of France's various representatives show that the sole purpose of the support measures was to come to the rescue of FagorBrandt and Groupe Brandt.
Komisija je v skladu z določbami PDEU in ustaljeno sodno prakso Sodišča pristojna za odločanje, ali mora zadevna država članica ukiniti ali spremeniti pomoč, če ugotovi, da ta ni združljiva z notranjim trgom [33].
This was what was stated publicly to the creditors.
Prav tako je v skladu s stalno sodno prakso Sodišča namen obveznosti na strani države članice, da ukine pomoč, za katero Komisija meni, da ni združljiva z notranjim trgom, ponovna vzpostavitev prejšnjih razmer [34].
This argument cannot therefore be upheld.
Sodišče je v okviru tega odločilo, da je ta cilj dosežen, če je upravičenec vrnil zneske, dodeljene z nezakonito pomočjo, in se tako odpovedal prednosti, ki jo je imel v primerjavi s konkurenti na trgu, ter če se ponovno vzpostavi stanje pred izplačilom pomoči [35].
In addition, given the difficulties encountered by Groupe Brandt's predecessor, Groupe Brandt cannot be considered to be an undertaking with no credit history within the meaning of the 2008 Communication.
V skladu s sodno prakso člen 14(1) Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 659/1999 [36] določa: „Če se v primerih nezakonite pomoči sprejmejo negativne odločbe, Komisija odloči, da mora zadevna država članica sprejeti vse potrebne ukrepe, da upravičenec vrne pomoč […]“.
This is illustrated firstly by the fact that no private lender wished to take the risk of supplying cash to the company and secondly by the fact that Groupe Brandt should be considered to be FagorBrandt's economic successor, as demonstrated in section 8.2.
Ker so bili zadevni ukrepi izvedeni v nasprotju s členom 108 PDEU in jih je treba šteti za nezakonito in nezdružljivo pomoč, je torej treba zadevno pomoč vrniti, da se ponovno vzpostavi stanje na trgu, kakršno je bilo pred njeno dodelitvijo.
Moreover, France asserts that the private lenders lent the money for each tranche at the same rate as the FDES.
Vračilo mora torej zajemati obdobje, v katerem je imel upravičenec prednost, tj. obdobje od datuma, ko mu je bila pomoč dana na voljo, do datuma njenega dejanskega vračila.
Although the A tranches of the FDES and private loans benefit from the same terms (EURIBOR + [300-600] basis points) and the same collateral, the amount of tranche A of the FDES loan is almost five times higher than that of the A tranches of the private loans.
Zneskom, ki jih je treba vrniti, se prištejejo obresti do datuma dejanskega vračila.
Similarly, the B tranches of the FDES and private loans are subject to the same terms (EURIBOR + [300-600] basis points), even though, again, the amount of tranche B of the FDES loan is almost five times higher.
V skladu s sodno prakso začnejo obresti za vračilo teči od datuma, ko je bila pomoč dejansko dana na voljo [37].
As regards tranche C, the Commission notes that the remuneration rate is higher than that of tranches A ([0-5] %) and B ([0-5] %), while its maturity is shorter than that of the other tranches.
Francija bi torej morala od družbe FagorBrandt izterjati nezdružljivo pomoč, ki jo pomeni posojilo iz sklada FDES z dne 25. novembra 2013, in od družbe Groupe Brandt nezdružljivo pomoč, ki jo pomeni posojilo iz sklada FDES z dne 24. aprila 2014.
Although the loans are divided into different tranches, the public and private loans should be analysed in their entirety.
Izterjava nezdružljive pomoči od družbe FagorBrandt – gospodarska kontinuiteta
Examining the FDES loan and the loans from Société Générale and Natixis as a whole clearly reveals the asymmetry between each creditor's exposure: France lent six times more than each of the banks, which — unlike France — are precisely in the business of providing companies with cash.
V skladu s sodno prakso je mogoče obveznost vračila razširiti na novo podjetje, na katero je podjetje, ki je prejelo pomoč, preneslo del svojih sredstev, če ta prenos kaže na gospodarsko kontinuiteto med podjetjema [38].
This occurred even though Société Générale and Natixis have long conducted business deals with FagorBrandt, of which Group Brandt may be considered the successor [28], and even though they belong to a pool of financiers set up to support the company [29].
Ni namreč mogoče izključiti, da se obveznost vračila razširi na drug subjekt, če se ugotovi, da ima ta zaradi gospodarske kontinuitete med subjektoma dejansko korist od zadevnih pomoči.
France, which does not appear to have any interest in the continuation of FagorBrandt, first lent EUR 10 million to the company and then, despite the late repayment of tranche B of this loan, granted a further loan more than four times the size of the first.
V takem primeru bi morali pomoč, ki se šteje za nezdružljivo z notranjim trgom, torej vrniti tudi prevzemniki dejavnosti upravičencev.
No prudent lender would have done such a thing; witness the fact the Thémis did not grant any loans other than the loan of EUR 5 million.
Posojilo iz sklada FDES v višini 10 milijonov EUR je bilo dodeljeno družbi FagorBrandt.
Moreover, although it was six times the size of the loans from Société Générale and Natixis, the FDES loan benefited from the same collateral as the latter.
V skladu z odločitvijo Sodišča v zadevi Italija in SIM2 proti Komisiji [39], na podlagi katere je Komisija sprejela sklepe v zadevah Olympic Airlines, Alitalia in Sernam [40], analiza gospodarske kontinuitete med subjekti temelji na sklopu indicev.
In addition, given the public statements made by representatives of France, Société Générale and Natixis, the two banks could not have been unaware of France's wish to lend financial support to Groupe Brandt.
Med elemente, ki se lahko upoštevajo, sodna praksa prišteva naslednje dejavnike: (i) obseg prenesenih sredstev, (ii) ceno, po kateri so sredstva prenesena, (iii) identiteto prevzemnikov, (iv) trenutek, ko je prevzem izveden, in (v) ekonomsko upravičenost prevzema.
Their decision to grant their respective loans would therefore inevitably have been influenced by the near-certainty that France would support the continuation of the business taken over by Groupe Brandt, which would reduce their risk.
Ta sklop indicev je Sodišče potrdilo v sodbi z dne 28. marca 2012 v zadevi Ryanair proti Komisiji [41], s katero je bil potrjen sklep Komisije v zadevi Alitalia.
Furthermore, Natixis acts on behalf of France in the management of FDES loans, which is liable to influence its decision.
V obravnavani zadevi se glede na izredno omejen obseg sredstev, ki sta jih prevzela družba Variance Technologies (obrat v Aizenayju) in Pierre Jullien (proizvodni obrat v Roche-sur-Yonu), ta prevzemnika ne moreta šteti za gospodarska naslednika družbe FagorBrandt.
Apart from the intrinsic merits of the loan granted to Groupe Brandt, the acceptance of the transaction wished for by the public authorities enabled Natixis to continue its activity of managing other FDES loans in the future, which means that its position is not comparable to that of France.
Nasprotno pa je družba Groupe Brandt prek svoje matične družbe Cevital prevzela vsa opredmetena in neopredmetena sredstva, ki so bila v popolni lasti družbe FagorBrandt, ter vso zalogo.
In addition, by supporting FagorBrandt, then Groupe Brandt, the FDES used nearly 20 % of its EUR 300 million budget allocated by the Finance Act for 2014, while the private lenders, given their respective lending capacities, took far lower risks.
Nazadnje, družba Groupe Brandt je pridobila tudi blagovne znamke in patente družbe FagorBrandt.
The unconditional, public backing shown by France's representatives could therefore only be justified on other grounds: it appears from their successive statements that France's goal was to safeguard jobs and keep FagorBrandt's production in France — reasons far removed from the considerations of a private creditor.
Poleg tega je družba Groupe Brandt po likvidaciji družbe FagorBrandt prevzela skoraj 90 % njenih pogodb o zaposlitvi.
France did not therefore behave like a prudent private lender and the rates applied to the three tranches of the EUR 47,5 million FDES loan are not in line with market conditions.
Poleg tega je ceno, po kateri je družba Groupe Brandt pridobila sredstva, določilo gospodarsko sodišče v Nanterru v okviru kolektivnega postopka zoper družbo FagorBrandt in ni bila določena v okviru tržne transakcije.
In the absence of any evidence calling into question the interest rates set out in the 2008 Communication, the Commission considers that the market rate can be calculated in accordance with it.
Cena, po kateri je bila izvedena prodaja, torej ni temeljila na primerjavi več konkurenčnih ponudb.
Since the collateral can be deemed normal within the meaning of the 2008 Communication and given that Groupe Brandt can be considered either a new company or the economic successor to FagorBrandt, 650 basis points must be applied to the reference rate for France (0,53 %) at the time the loan was granted.
Ni torej mogoče šteti, da je cena, po kateri je družba Groupe Brandt pridobila sredstva družbe FagorBrandt, temeljila na tržni transakciji.
In the light of its previous practice, the Commission considers that the amount of aid is equal to the difference between 7,03 % (reference rate for France of 0,53 % + 650 basis points) applied to the principal of each tranche of the loan, i.e. EUR 11,2 million, EUR 23,8 million and EUR 12,5 million respectively, and the rates of tranches A, B and C ([0-5] %, [0-5] %, [0-5] %) applied to the principals of tranches A, B and C, i.e. EUR 11,2 million, EUR 23,8 million and EUR 12,5 million respectively, calculated for the period during which the amount was made available to Groupe Brandt [30].
Poleg tega je družba Groupe Brandt nameravala nadaljevati iste proizvodne dejavnosti kot družba FagorBrandt in to z istimi blagovnimi znamkami.
Effect on competition and trade between Member States
V zvezi s tem je treba navesti, da je družba Groupe Brandt prevzela vse zaloge družbe FagorBrandt [42] ter vse dobavne zaveze in stranke v okviru prodanih dejavnosti.
The measures favour FagorBrandt and Groupe Brandt by providing them with additional resources and avoiding a cessation of business activity.
Poleg tega je skupina Cevital jasno in javno [43] navedla, da namerava sredstva družbe FagorBrandt vključiti v svojo poslovno strategijo, pri čemer so električni gospodinjski aparati že predstavljali 10 % prometa skupine Cevital.
They have allowed them to maintain a stronger competitive position than they would have had unaided.
Nazadnje, zelo pomenljivo je, da je družba Groupe Brandt prevzela pravico do uporabe najbolj znanih blagovnih znamk družbe v Franciji, in sicer Brandt, De Dietrich, Vedette, Sauter in Easycook.
They therefore threaten to distort competition between manufacturers of large electrical household appliances.
Komisija zato glede na obseg prenesenih sredstev, ceno, po kateri so sredstva prenesena, in ekonomsko upravičenost prevzema sklepa, da obstaja gospodarska kontinuiteta med družbama FagorBrandt in Groupe Brandt.
Moreover, in the market for large electrical household appliances there is extensive trade between Member States.
Na splošno je namen vračila pomoči odpraviti izkrivljanje konkurence, povzročeno zaradi določene konkurenčne prednosti (v obravnavani zadevi element pomoči, zajet v posojilu iz sklada FDES v višini 10 milijonov EUR), in tako ponovno vzpostaviti stanje pred izplačilom pomoči [44].
Therefore, the Commission concludes that the advantage conferred by the measures in question on an undertaking operating in a market that is open to competition distorts or threatens to distort competition and is likely to affect trade between Member States.
Zato od družbe Groupe Brandt ni več treba zahtevati vračila nezdružljive državne pomoči, ki jo je prejela družba FagorBrandt.
The Commission considers that the loans granted to FagorBrandt and Groupe Brandt by France constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU.
Kar zadeva posojilo iz sklada FDES v višini 47,5 milijona EUR, dodeljeno družbi Groupe Brandt, mora neupravičeno prejeto pomoč vrniti samo navedena družba.
Assessment of the compatibility of the measures with the applicable State aid rules
Vprašanje gospodarske kontinuitete med skupino Cevital in družbo Exagon na eni strani ter družbo Groupe Brandt na drugi strani se torej ne postavlja.