natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The aim of applying the first Altmark criterion is to establish that the payments constitute compensation awarded in exchange for the discharge of clearly defined PSOs.
Zato je treba mehanizem regije analizirati bolj klasično kot shemo, ki je omogočila dodelitev subvencij za naložbe.
In the case in point, the Commission finds that only state-owned companies and undertakings supplying transport which were subject to PSOs could apply for subsidies from the Region.
Regija je s tem, ko je prevzela del naložbenih stroškov, ki jih običajno nosijo prevozna podjetja, sprostila finančni manevrski prostor prejemnikov teh subvencij, ki so lahko lastna sredstva uporabili za druge namene.
The PSOs had been defined in the operating agreements reached between each transport operator and the local authority or authorities acting as contractor(s).
Prejemniki subvencij so tako pridobili gospodarsko prednost.
These operating agreements provided for compensation for the losses sustained in discharging the PSOs, net of any receipts and subsidies.
Nekatere zainteresirane tretje strani so trdile, da je bila ta prednost izničena z dejstvom, da so bile subvencije, povečane za stroške financiranja, ki se jim je izvajalec izognil, amortizirane v nadomestilu za opravljanje javne službe, ki ga je izplačevala skupnost, nosilka projekta.
The subsidies from the Region were grafted onto this contractual mechanism in order to stimulate investment and, in so doing, to spur a quantitative and qualitative improvement in the supply of transport.
Komisija v odgovor na to trditev ugotavlja, da v zaporednih sklepih, s katerimi je bila urejena zadevna shema, nista bila opredeljena ključna parametra te amortizacije: trajanje in obrestna mera.
The amount of the subsidies was fixed on a flat-rate scale by applying a set percentage to a category of capped costs (e.g. the price of a bus excluding tax).
Tako ni nič v pravni podlagi sheme zanesljivo zagotavljalo, da so bile subvencije pravilno amortizirane glede na obdobje, ki ustreza uporabi opreme, in ob upoštevanju stroškov financiranja, ki se jim je izvajalec izognil in so bili usklajeni s stroški financiranja, ugotovljenimi na trgu.
To be able to apply for the subsidy, the local authorities acting as contractors had to undertake to tighten up the content of the PSOs which they imposed in any case on the transport operators.
Zato analiza ustreznega upoštevanja subvencij v nadomestilu za opravljanje javne službe, ki so ga dodelile skupnosti, nosilke projekta, spada v analizo navedenih nadomestil, ki se opravi za vsak primer posebej, in ne v analizo subvencij.
As is clear from the actual title of the 1994 decision, the object of the scheme was to bring about an ‘improvement in public transport services by road’.
Ta postopek pa se nanaša samo na subvencije in ne na dodeljena nadomestila za opravljanje javne službe.
This does not mean, however, that the subsidies from the Region were awarded in compensation for PSOs.
Komisija glede na navedeno potrjuje, da je bila s subvencijami regije, obravnavanimi ločeno, njihovim prejemnikom dodeljena gospodarska prednost.
As with a traditional subsidy, their purpose was more simply to encourage investment by the undertakings and state-owned companies operating the transport services.
Subvencije za naložbe, dodeljene v okviru pogodb CT1
The contracting authorities, on the other hand, remained responsible for compensating transport operators for the full amount of the deficit resulting from the full range of obligations they imposed on them (including those that were added so that operators could apply for subsidies from the Region).
Pogodba CT1 je bila pogodba o izvajanju javne službe, s katero so bile izvajalcu naložene jasno opredeljene obveznosti javne službe.
The deficit would certainly have been larger without the subsidies from the Region, since it was calculated by deducting receipts and any subsidies from costs.
Tako je bilo v členu 4-2 pogodbe CT1 določeno, da „izvajalec opravlja javno storitev potniškega prevoza“.
But there is still a conceptual difference between, on the one hand, the system of PSOs and compensation payments which were the responsibility of the contracting authorities (and which are not the subject of this investigation) and, on the other, a system of subsidies designed, in general terms, to encourage investment in the improvement of transport services.
Pri tem je za podjetje veljala obveznost vzdrževanja in upravljanja linij, katerih upravljanje mu je bilo zaupano, ter prevoza potnikov v skladu s pogoji prevoza in tarif, ki jih je določilo združenje STIF.
Therefore, notwithstanding the economic link which rightly existed between the subsidies from the Region and the calculation of the public-service compensation, the Commission considers that the subsidies from the Region were not awarded as compensation for clearly defined PSOs.
V členu 12-1 pogodbe CT1 je bilo povsem jasno določeno: „oblikovanje tarif je v izključni in neprenosljivi pristojnosti združenja STIF“.
It follows that the first Altmark criterion is not met.
Izvajalec je v zameno prejemal nadomestilo za izgube, izhajajoče iz izpolnjevanja obveznosti javne službe, brez upoštevanja morebitnih prihodkov in subvencij.
As the four Altmark criteria are cumulative, the test is not passed once one criterion is missing.
Subvencije, uvedene z dodatkom št. 3 k pogodbi CT1, so bile povezane s temi nadomestili enako kot v predhodnem obdobju sistem subvencij regije z nadomestili, določenimi s pogodbami o izvajanju prevozov.
The mechanism set up by the Region must therefore be analysed more conventionally as a scheme for granting investment subsidies.
Glavna razlika se je nanašala na dejstvo, da je isti subjekt (združenje STIF) izplačevalo hkrati (i) nadomestilo za opravljanje javne službe v pravem pomenu besede, pri čemer je bila metoda njegovega izračuna namenjena pokritju primanjkljaja, povezanega z izpolnjevanjem obveznosti javne službe, in (ii) subvencijo za naložbe, določeno na podlagi razmerja zgornja cena/najvišja stopnja subvencije.
By taking responsibility for part of the investment costs normally borne by the transport undertakings, the Region freed up margins for financial manoeuvre for the recipients of the subsidies, who were able to use their own resources for other purposes.
Poleg tega tako kot v predhodnem obdobju tudi tu v pravni podlagi, ki je omogočala dodelitev subvencij, tj. v obravnavani zadevi vzorec dodatka št. 3 k pogodbi CT1, niso bili opredeljeni ključni parametri amortizacije subvencij v nadomestilu za opravljanje javne službe, ki se je izplačevalo.
The recipients of the subsidies thereby gained an economic advantage.
Glede na te podobnosti, ki jih je poudarila tudi večina zainteresiranih tretjih strani, Komisija meni, da je treba uporabiti enako razlogovanje kot za predhodno obdobje.
Certain interested third parties have emphasised that this advantage was rendered null by the fact that the subsidies, plus the financing cost which the operator avoided, were written off in the public-service compensation also paid by the local authority acting as contractor.
Subvencije, izplačane na podlagi dodatka št. 3 k pogodbi CT1, imajo torej naravo „klasičnih“ subvencij za naložbe, zato je bila z njimi prejemnikom dodeljena gospodarska prednost.
In response to that argument, the Commission finds that the successive decisions setting up the scheme in question did not define the key parameters for that write-off: duration and interest rate.
Prispevek C2 iz pogodb CT2
Thus nothing in the legal basis guaranteed with certainty that the subsidies would be properly written off, over a period in keeping with the use made of the equipment and having regard to a financial cost avoided which would be in line with the financial cost seen on the market.
Pogodba CT2 je pogodba o izvajanju javne službe, s katero so prevozniku naložene jasno opredeljene obveznosti javne službe tako v zvezi z izvajanjem storitev kot v zvezi z naložbami.
An assessment of whether the subsidies were correctly taken into account in the public-service compensation otherwise awarded by the contracting authorities therefore involves analysing, on a case by case basis, the compensation concerned, not the subsidies.
Člen 5-2 pogodbe CT2 tako določa splošne obveznosti za izvajalca:
The current investigation in fact only concerns the subsidies, not the public-service compensation which was also awarded.
„da vzdržuje in upravlja, pri čemer se ta pojma razlagata kot obveznost podjetja, da v zvezi z linijami in napravami, katerih upravljanje mu je bilo zaupano, sprejme vse ukrepe za zagotovitev storitve prevoza, ki ustreza standardom kontinuitete, rednosti, pogostosti, obsega, varnosti in kakovosti;
In the light of the above, the Commission confirms that the subsidies from the Region, considered in isolation, conferred an economic advantage on the beneficiaries.
da prevaža, kar pomeni obveznost podjetja, da sprejme opravljanje potniškega prevoza po javnih tarifah in pogojih prevoza, ki jih določi združenje STIF;
Investment subsidies awarded under the CT1s
da uporablja oblikovanje tarif, ki se šteje za obveznost podjetja, da prodaja in sprejema tarifne proizvode po splošnih pogojih prodaje in uporabe, ki jih določi združenje STIF;
The CT1 was a public-service contract which imposed clearly defined PSOs on the operator.
da sodeluje v integriranih sistemih na področju obveščanja, izdaje vozovnic, voznih redov in uporabe povezav;
Article 4-2 of the CT1 laid down that ‘the operator shall run a public passenger transport service’.
da prispeva k varnosti in varstvu potnikov.“
As such, the undertaking was under an obligation to maintain and operate the routes with which it had been entrusted, and to carry passengers on conditions of carriage and at fares set by STIF.
V členu 41 pogodbe CT2 so poleg tega opredeljene obveznosti izvajalca v zvezi s sredstvi, ki vključujejo predvsem obveznost uporabe vseh sredstev, obveznost vzdrževanja in ohranjanja sredstev, namenjenih za izvajanje javne storitve prevoza, ter obveznost izdelave naložbenega načrta za vozni park za celotno obdobje pogodbe, ki omogoča, da se predvsem iz varnostnih razlogov zagotovijo zanesljivost, razpoložljivost vozil ter optimizacija stroškov vzdrževanja in ohranjanja, pri čemer povprečna starost voznega parka ne presega sedem let.
Article 12-1 of the CT1 stated without room for ambiguity: ‘fare setting is an exclusive competence of STIF which cannot be delegated’.
Združenje STIF je s pogodbo CT2 prekinilo vzorec iz predhodnih obdobij, tako da je uvedlo pogodbo o izvajanju javne službe, v kateri so od začetka in skupaj obravnavane obveznosti, ki se nanašajo na izvajanje storitev in naložbe, zlasti na podlagi združenega „finančnega računa storitve“.
In exchange, the operator received compensation for the losses incurred in discharging the PSOs, net of any receipts and subsidies.
Prispevek C2 je izrecno zasnovan kot nadomestilo za stroške, ki izhajajo iz obveznosti, povezanih z naložbami.
The subsidies introduced by Rider No 3 to the CT1 were granted alongside this compensation in the same way as, during the preceding period, the system of subsidies from the Region had complemented the compensation provided for by the operating agreements.
Komisija na podlagi tega sklepa, da je prispevek C2 dodeljen v zameno za izpolnjevanje jasno opredeljenih obveznosti javne službe na področju naložb in da je torej prvo merilo iz sodbe Altmark izpolnjeno.
The main difference was that a single entity (STIF) paid both (i) the public-service compensation properly speaking, the method of calculating which was designed to cover the deficit associated with discharging the PSOs; and (ii) the investment subsidy, which was determined on the combined basis of a price ceiling and a maximum subsidy rate.
Ker je bilo ugotovljeno, da je prispevek C2 skladen s prvim merilom iz sodbe Altmark, je treba preučiti še njegovo skladnost z drugim, tretjim in četrtim merilom iz sodbe Altmark.
What is more, as in the preceding period, the legal basis for the award of subsidies, i.e. in this case the standard Rider No 3 to the CT1, also failed to define the key parameters for write-off of the subsidies in the public-service compensation which was also paid.
Ker so merila kumulativna, se bo Komisija omejila na dokazovanje, da četrto merilo ni izpolnjeno, da bi ugotovila, da je s tem prispevkom zagotovljena gospodarska prednost.
In view of these similarities, which have also been stressed by most of the interested third parties, the Commission considers that the same reasoning should be applied as for the preceding period.
Namen četrtega merila iz sodbe Altmark je preveriti, ali je, če podjetje, ki se mu naloži izpolnjevanje obveznosti javne službe, ni izbrano s postopkom oddaje javnega naročila, ki omogoča, da se izbere tisti ponudnik, ki lahko te storitve opravlja z najnižjimi stroški za skupnost, raven potrebnega nadomestila določena na podlagi analize stroškov, ki bi jih povprečno, dobro vodeno podjetje, ki je ustrezno opremljeno s sredstvi, da lahko zadosti zahtevam javne službe, imelo pri izpolnjevanju teh obveznosti ob upoštevanju realiziranih prihodkov in razumnega dobička zaradi izpolnjevanja teh obveznosti.
The subsidies paid pursuant to Rider No 3 to the CT1 are therefore ‘conventional’ investment subsidies, and they conferred an economic advantage on their recipients.
V zvezi s tem je treba priznati, da je združenje STIF pred sklenitvijo pogodb z izvajalci izvedlo primerjalno analizo stroškov.
The C2 contribution in the CT2s
Ta primerjalna analiza temelji hkrati na (i) natančnih številkah po posameznih pogodbah, (ii) pravnih instrumentih, ki zagotavljajo primerljivost stroškov in opreme, (iii) obsežnem poznavanju trga potniškega prevoza v regiji Île-de-France in (iv) primerjavi tako s podatki „iz stroke“, splošno priznanimi v sektorju, kot s pogodbami, dodeljenimi po javnem razpisu.
The CT2 is a public-service contract which expressly imposed clearly defined PSOs on the transport operator, as regards both operation and investment.
Vendar pa se ta poglobljena analiza nanaša predvsem na spremenljivke izvajanja prevozov, kot je komercialna hitrost avtobusa ali število ur vožnje posameznega vozila.
Article 5-2 of the CT2 determines the general obligations incumbent on the operator as follows:
Na podlagi študije teh spremenljivk, čeprav je zelo koristna za pogajanja o stroških poslovanja in opredelitev prispevka C1, se ni mogoče prepričati, ali stroški naložb, kriti s prispevkom C2, ustrezajo stroškom povprečnega, dobro vodenega podjetja.
‘to maintain and operate, concepts understood as meaning the obligation upon the undertaking to adopt, in respect of the routes and installations entrusted to it, all proper measures to guarantee a transport service which complies with standards of continuity, regularity, frequency, capacity, safety and quality,
Poleg tega nič ne kaže, da bi bil vzorec, ki ga je uporabilo združenje STIF, reprezentativno za dobro vodena podjetja.
to transport, referring to the obligation upon the undertaking to accept and carry out all passenger transport at public fares and on conditions of carriage laid down by STIF,
Čeprav torej analiza, ki jo je opravilo združenje STIF, nedvomno pomeni nesporen napredek k premišljenemu upravljanju nadomestil, dodeljenih izvajalcem javne službe, ta analiza ne zadostuje za to, da bi prispevek C2 izpolnjeval četrto merilo iz sodbe Altmark.
to apply the system of fares, regarded as the obligation upon the undertaking to sell and accept fare products in accordance with the general conditions of sale and use decided upon by STIF,
Ker četrto merilo iz sodbe Altmark ni izpolnjeno, Komisija ugotavlja, da je s prispevkom C2, dodeljenim v okviru pogodbe CT2, njegovim prejemnikom dodeljena gospodarska prednost.
to take part in integrated systems with respect to the provision of information, the issuance of tickets, timetabling and the use of interchange points,
Iz ustaljene sodne prakse [29] izhaja, da se ukrep šteje za selektiven, če ga ne morejo izkoristiti vsi gospodarski sektorji v njegovem referenčnem okviru.
to contribute to passenger safety and security.’
Tako ukrepi, ki jih je izvajala regija, kot ukrepi, ki jih je izvajalo združenje STIF, zadevajo izključno režijske obrate javnih skupnosti in zasebna podjetja, s katerimi so te skupnosti ali združenje STIF sklenili pogodbo o upravljanju linije ali prevoznega omrežja v regiji Île-de-France.
Article 41 of the CT2 also sets out the operator's obligations with regard to assets, which mainly involve an obligation to use all the assets, an obligation to carry out maintenance and upkeep works on the property earmarked for implementation of the public transport service, and an obligation to draw up a plan of investment in the vehicle fleet for the full term of the contract such as to ensure, particularly for reasons of safety, reliability, availability of the vehicles and optimisation of the maintenance and upkeep costs, that the average age of the fleet does not exceed seven years.
Zadevni ukrepi se torej nanašajo samo na sektor rednega javnega prevoza v cestnem prometu v regiji Île-de-France.
Through the CT2, STIF breaks with the model followed in previous years by introducing a public-service contract which, from the outset and in an integrated manner, sets out obligations in respect of both operation and investment, in particular through a unified ‘financial account for the service’.
Poleg tega Komisija ugotavlja, da so podjetja v tem sektorju izbrana pred dodelitvijo subvencij, in sicer ob izbiri podjetij za izvajanje obveznosti javne službe.
The C2 contribution is explicitly designed to compensate for the costs flowing from the obligations linked to investment.
Ker je bila selektivnost ugotovljena tako na ravni sektorja kot znotraj tega sektorja, ni treba dokazovati še geografske narave te selektivnosti, v nasprotju s predlogom družbe RATP Dev, ki se sklicuje na sodno prakso v zadevi Azores [30].
The Commission deduces from this that the C2 contribution is given in exchange for clearly defined PSOs relating to investment, and that the first Altmark criterion is therefore met.
Komisija zato ugotavlja, da so ukrepi, ki sta jih izvajala regija in združenje STIF v okviru pogodb CT1 in CT2, selektivni.
Now that it has been established that the C2 contribution satisfies the first Altmark criterion, it remains to be assessed whether it satisfies the second, third and fourth Altmark criteria.
Preveriti je treba, ali lahko ukrepi izkrivljajo konkurenco, ker lahko vplivajo na trgovino med državami članicami.
As the criteria are cumulative, the Commission will confine itself to demonstrating that the fourth criterion is not satisfied in order to conclude that the contribution concerned confers an economic advantage.
Kar zadeva mehanizem regije, Komisija ugotavlja tako kot upravno sodišče v Parizu [31], da „podjetja, ki delujejo v sektorju rednega potniškega prevoza, delujejo tudi v sektorju občasnega potniškega prevoza […], zaradi česar se lahko podjetja za redni potniški prevoz, ki so prejela zgoraj navedene subvencije, znajdejo v konkurenci s podjetji za občasni potniški prevoz, ki niso mogla prejeti teh subvencij, ki so, kot je bilo navedeno, pridržane za podjetja, ki prevoze opravljajo na rednih linijah“.
The object of the fourth Altmark criterion is to verify that, where the undertaking which is to discharge PSOs is not chosen following a public procurement procedure to select a tenderer capable of providing these services at the least cost to the public authority, the level of compensation needed must be determined on the basis of an assessment of the costs which a typical undertaking, well-run and adequately equipped to be able to meet the public-service requirements, would have incurred in discharging those obligations, taking into account the relevant receipts and a reasonable profit for discharging the obligations.
V prvih petih letih se je torej lahko ta oprema zunaj običajnih obdobij uporabljala za druge namene, tudi na trgu občasnega prevoza.
In this connection it should be pointed out that STIF carried out a comparative analysis of costs prior to the signing of contracts with operators.
Po petem letu regija ni več nalagala obveznosti glede uporabe subvencioniranih sredstev.
This comparative analysis is based on (i) accurate costed figures for each contract; (ii) legal instruments which guarantee that costs and equipment are comparable; (iii) a thorough knowledge of the passenger transport market in Île-de-France; and (iv) a comparison both with the ‘trade’ figures generally accepted in the sector and with contracts awarded after being put out to tender.
Poleg tega ni bilo podjetjem, ki so prejela subvencijo in so upravljala linije rednega javnega prevoza v cestnem prometu v regiji Île-de-France, z nobeno določbo prepovedano, da se prijavijo na druge razpise za oddajo naročil za redni ali občasni potniški prevoz, ki so bili odprti za konkurenco v Franciji ali Evropi.
Nevertheless, this detailed analysis is mainly concerned with operating variables such as the commercial speed of buses or the number of hours driven per vehicle.
Nacionalno sodišče, ki je odločalo v upravnem sporu, opisanem v uvodnih izjavah od 27 do 32, je ugotovilo enako, na podlagi česar je nato sklenilo, da so lahko subvencionirana podjetja „zaradi prihrankov pri nakupu subvencioniranih vozil in opreme izkoristila konkurenčno prednost v primerjavi s podjetji, ki niso prejela pomoči,“ in da je zato zadevni mehanizem „lahko vplival na trgovino med državami članicami in izkrivljal ali bi lahko izkrivljal konkurenco“ [32].
A study of these variables is extremely useful when it comes to negotiating the operating costs and fixing the C1 contribution, but it does not make it possible to ensure that the investment costs covered by contribution C2 correspond to those of an average well-managed undertaking.
Komisija se strinja s to ugotovitvijo in potrjuje, da so lahko subvencije za naložbe regije od vzpostavitve regionalnega mehanizma in a fortiori v celotnem obravnavanem obdobju izkrivljale konkurenco in vplivale na trgovino med državami članicami.
Nor is there anything to show that the sample chosen by STIF is representative of well-managed undertakings.
V obdobju, ki je sledilo, so morala biti sredstva, za katera je bila na podlagi dodatka št. 3 k pogodbi CT1 dodeljena subvencija združenja STIF, namenjena izključno opravljanju dejavnosti javne službe, navedenih v prometnem načrtu združenja STIF, in sicer najmanj osem let [33].
Therefore, although the analysis conducted by STIF certainly constitutes undeniable progress towards sound management of compensation granted to public-service operators, it is not enough to satisfy the fourth Altmark criterion as regards the C2 contribution.
Vendar Komisija navaja, da razlogovanje iz uvodne izjave 226 ostaja veljavno po osmem letu uporabe.
As the fourth Altmark criterion is not satisfied, the Commission concludes that the C2 contribution awarded under the CT2 confers an economic advantage on the beneficiaries.
Poleg tega tudi če bi se avtobusi, ki jih je subvencioniralo združenje STIF, uporabljali samo za izvajanje nalog javne službe na trgu rednega javnega prevoza v cestnem prometu v regiji Île-de-France, to ne bi zadostovalo za izključitev vsake možnosti, da bi zadevni ukrep izkrivljal konkurenco in vplival na trgovino med državami članicami.
The Court of Justice has consistently held [29] that a measure is ruled to be selective if not all the sectors of the economy to which it applies can take advantage of it.
S tem ko javni organ prevzame stroške, ki bi jih običajno moralo nositi podjetje, namreč to podjetje pridobi prednost v primerjavi s svojimi neposrednimi konkurenti na različnih trgih, na katerih lahko deluje, kar posledično izkrivlja konkurenco.
Whether measures implemented by the Region or by STIF are involved, they only concern state-owned companies under public authority control and private undertakings with which such authorities or STIF have signed an operating agreement for a transport route or network in Île-de-France.
Kot je navedeno v sodbi Altmark, je od leta 1995 več držav članic odprlo nekatere trge prevoza konkurenci podjetij s sedežem v drugih državah članicah.