natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Commission stated that, owing to the lack of a reply or to the incomplete replies from the French authorities, the question of the legal basis applicable for the purpose of analysing the compatibility of the arrangements referred to in the opening decision had not been addressed.
Celo sam francoski organ za konkurenco je menil, da je trg rednega javnega prevoza v cestnem prometu v regiji Île-de-France specifičen trg zaradi njegovega posebnega pravnega okvira.
In addition, because of doubts as to the type of aid granted (subsidies or compensation), it appeared premature to choose a legal basis.
Poleg tega oprema, ki se je uporabljala na trgu občasnih avtobusnih prevozov, ni bila enaka kot na trgu rednega prevoza.
If the measures in question were to be considered to be compensation, the Commission was doubtful whether they were compatible with Articles 3, 4 and 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council [13].
Neobstoj vpliva na trgovino med državami članicami
COMMENTS BY FRANCE ON THE OPENING DECISION
Po mnenju Francije iz sodne prakse Sodišča izrecno izhaja, da shema pomoči, uvedena na trgu, zaprtem za konkurenco, ne spada na področje uporabe člena 107(1) PDEU [14].
France maintained that the criteria of selectivity and the effect on trade between Member States were not met.
V obravnavani zadevi so bila podjetja, upravičena do zadevnih ukrepov, v monopolnem položaju na vsaki od linij, na katerih so opravljala prevoze.
No selectivity
Tako zadevni ukrepi ob upoštevanju zaprtosti trga in monopolnega položaja upravičenih podjetij niso mogli vplivati na trgovino med državami članicami.
France explained that all operators of scheduled public transport services by road in Île-de-France who so requested had benefited from the measures in question (135 undertakings out of a total of 150).
Dejstvo, da je majhen del upravičenih podjetij opravljal dejavnost na ozemlju drugih držav članic, naj ne bi spreminjalo te ugotovitve, ker so ta podjetja regionalne pomoči uporabljala izključno za naloge javne službe.
Moreover the measures were awarded on the basis of objective conditions which had been defined in advance in the decision by the Île-de-France Region.
Po mnenju Francije je treba ukrepe, ki jih je izvajalo združenje STIF, opredeliti kot nadomestila za opravljanje javne službe.
So there was no exercise of discretionary power by the public authorities in awarding the measures.
Ta nadomestila izpolnjujejo štiri merila iz sodbe Altmark, zato ne pomenijo državne pomoči.
The French competition authority had itself considered that the market in scheduled public transport services by road in Île-de-France was a specific market owing to its particular legal framework.
Prvo merilo iz sodbe Altmark
What is more, the equipment used on the coach transport market was not the same as on the scheduled transport market.
Obveznosti javne službe, ki so bile naložene izvajalcem, so bile jasno opredeljene v členu 4-2 pogodbe CT1, zlasti obveznosti glede vzdrževanja, obratovanja, prevoza uporabnikov, oblikovanja tarif, varnosti ali obveščanja.
No effect on trade between Member States
Te obveznosti so bile dopolnjene z dodatkom št. 3, v katerem je med drugim opredeljena obveznost, da se vozila osem let uporabljajo izključno na linijah, zajetih s pogodbo.
According to France, the case law of the Court of Justice stated explicitly that an aid scheme set up in a market closed to competition did not fall within the scope of Article 107(1) TFEU [14].
Ker so v pogodbi CT2 povzete obveznosti javne službe iz pogodbe CT1 (člen 5-2) in dodane določbe, s katerimi so okrepljene zahteve glede kakovosti voznega parka (členi od 41 do 43), so tudi v tej pogodbi obveznosti javne službe, ki jih morajo izpolnjevati izvajalci, jasno opredeljene.
In the case in point, the undertakings which benefited from the measures in question were in a monopoly position on each of the routes served.
To so na primer obveznosti vlaganja, vzdrževanja ali ohranjanja, da se zagotovi določena življenjska doba opreme.
Therefore, given the closed nature of the market and the monopoly position of the undertakings which benefited, the measures in question were not such as to affect trade between Member States.
Drugo merilo iz sodbe Altmark
The fact that a minority of undertakings which benefited were active on the territory of other Member States would not alter that conclusion, since the undertakings concerned were using the regional aid only for public-service tasks.
Kar zadeva pogodbo CT1, je bilo v dodatku št. 3 določeno, da se nadomestilo, izplačano za obnovitev in razširitev voznega parka, izračuna z uporabo vnaprej opredeljene stopnje največjega prispevka združenja STIF za zgornje cene, ki so bile prav tako določene v dodatku.
According to France, the measures implemented by STIF should be described as public-service compensation.
V členu 53 pogodbe CT2 sta določeni dve vrsti prispevkov, povezanih z obveznostmi javne službe: prispevek „C1“ (člen 53-2), namenjen kritju stroškov poslovanja, in prispevek „C2“ (člen 53-3), namenjen kritju naložbenih stroškov.
As that compensation met the four Altmark criteria, it did not constitute State aid.
Po mnenju Francije so bila torej nadomestila izračunana vnaprej ter objektivno in pregledno.
First Altmark criterion
Tretje merilo iz sodbe Altmark
The PSOs which had to be discharged by the operators were clearly defined in Article 4-2 of the CT1 and were, in particular, obligations relating to maintenance, operation, carriage of users, ticket pricing, safety and information.
V pogodbah o izvajanju javne službe (CT1 in CT2) je določeno, da se nadomestila za naložbe dodelijo šele po nakupu vozil in opreme.
In addition to these obligations, Rider No 3 stipulated, in particular, that the vehicles had to be used on the routes stated in the contract for a period of eight years.
Po drugi strani združenje STIF poskrbi za preglede skladnosti dokazil, prejetih za preveritev, ali kupljena vozna sredstva dejansko ustrezajo prvotni prošnji, predloženi združenju STIF.
As the CT2 incorporated the PSOs from the CT1 (Article 5-2), while adding tighter qualitative requirements relating to the fleet in circulation (Articles 41 to 43), the PSOs which operators had to discharge were clearly defined there too.
Združenje STIF lahko kadar koli izvede preiskave, revizije ali kontrole.
They included, for example, obligations relating to investment, maintenance and upkeep for the purpose of guaranteeing that the equipment had a certain life cycle.
Upravičena podjetja morajo pripraviti letno poročilo, v katerem morajo predstaviti izvedene naložbe glede na svoj predvideni program dela.
Second Altmark criterion
Nazadnje, pogodbe vključujejo določbe o vračilu v primeru neizpolnjevanja pogodbenih obveznosti, združenje STIF pa lahko naloži kazni.
As regards the CT1, Rider No 3 laid down that the compensation paid for the renewal and expansion of the fleet should be calculated by applying a predefined rate of maximum STIF participation at ceiling prices which were also set in the Rider.
Po mnenju Francije ti elementi omogočajo zagotovitev neobstoja čezmernega nadomestila.
Article 53 of the CT2 provided for two types of contribution linked to the PSOs, contribution ‘C1’ (Article 53-2) to cover operating costs and contribution ‘C2’ (Article 53-3) to cover investment costs.
Četrto merilo iz sodbe Altmark
Therefore, according to France, the compensation was calculated in advance in an objective and transparent manner.
Službe združenja STIF so na podlagi podatkovne zbirke, v katero so vključeni vsi izvajalci, ki so s združenjem STIF sklenili pogodbo, izdelale analitska orodja za primerjavo stroškov.
Third Altmark criterion
To naj bi zagotavljalo, da je bila višina nadomestila določena na podlagi analize stroškov povprečnega, dobro vodenega podjetja.
The public-service contracts (CT1 and CT2) laid down that compensation for investment should be paid only after the vehicles and equipment had been purchased.
Francija poudarja, da če bi Komisija ukrepe, ki jih je izvajala regija, opredelila kot nadomestilo za opravljanje javne službe, bi bila pravna podlaga za oceno njihove združljivosti Uredba Sveta (EGS) št. 1191/69 [15].
STIF also carried out consistency checks on parts received to make sure that the rolling stock purchased did actually match the original application.
Francija meni, da ukrepi med drugim izpolnjujejo pogoje iz členov 2 in 14 navedene uredbe.
STIF could carry out investigations, audits or checks at any time.
Poleg tega je po mnenju Francije mehanizem, ki ga je vzpostavila regija, izpolnjeval kumulativne pogoje za združljivost državne pomoči na podlagi člena 107(3) PDEU, ki so: prispevanje k doseganju ciljev skupnega interesa; tržna nepopolnost; ustreznost izbranega ukrepa kot instrumenta politike; obstoj spodbujevalnega učinka; omejitev pomoči na najmanjšo potrebno; majhni negativni učinki; preglednost dodelitve pomoči.
The beneficiary undertakings were required to produce annual reports accounting for investment made as compared to their advance planning.
Če bi Komisija menila, da ukrepi, ki jih je izvajalo združenje STIF, pomenijo državno pomoč, Francija meni, da lahko dokaže njihovo združljivost zaradi njihove skladnosti z Uredbo (ES) št. 1370/2007.
Lastly, the contracts included clauses requiring repayment in the event of non-performance of contractual obligations and STIF could apply penalties.
Po mnenju Francije mehanizem združenja STIF ustreza zahtevam iz navedene uredbe, in sicer jasni opredelitvi obveznosti javne službe, predhodni objektivni in pregledni določitvi parametrov izračuna nadomestila ter opredelitvi ureditve za razporeditev stroškov, povezanih z opravljanjem storitev.
According to France, these features meant it could be guaranteed that there was no overcompensation.
Pogodba C1 naj bi te zahteve izpolnjevala z obveznostmi, navedenimi v uvodni izjavi 64, in z možnostjo, dano združenju STIF, da izvaja nadzor nad pogoji izpolnjevanja teh obveznosti.
Fourth Altmark criterion
Kar zadeva pogodbe CT2, so nadomestila, predvidena na podlagi teh obveznosti, razdeljena glede na njihov namen (kritje stroškov poslovanja ali naložbenih stroškov).
STIF had devised analytical tools with which to carry out cost comparisons on the basis of the data base compiled by all the operators which had a contract with it.
V primeru opustitve obnovitve vozil, kot je predvidena v načrtu naložb v vozni park, se znesek amortizacije in ustreznih finančnih stroškov vrne združenju STIF.
This would ensure that the level of compensation was set on the basis of an analysis of the costs of an average well-managed undertaking.
Francija poudarja, da ima združenje STIF v okviru pogodbe CT2 tudi široko pravico do revizije in kontrole.
France stressed that if the Commission were to class the measures as ‘public-service compensation’, the legal basis for assessing the compatibility of the measures implemented by the Region would be Regulation (EEC) No 1191/69 of the Council [15].
Zato naj bi se zdelo, da se združenje STIF lahko prepriča, da so njegova plačila namenjena izključno kritju stroškov, izhajajočih iz pogodbe CT2, in da pomenijo pravično nadomestilo za izvajanje obveznosti javne službe, združljivo z Uredbo (ES) št. 1370/2007 in skupnim trgom.
France considered that the measures met the conditions laid down in Articles 2 and 14 of that Regulation.
PRIPOMBE ZAINTERESIRANIH TRETJIH STRANI IN FRANCIJE
Furthermore, according to France, the mechanism put in place by the Region met the cumulative conditions for compatibility of State aid under Article 107(3) TFEU, i.e. contribution to objectives of common interest; market failure; the appropriateness of the choice of the measure as an instrument for action; the existence of an incentive effect; the limitation of the aid to the minimum necessary; limited negative effects; and transparency in the awarding of the aid.
Regija
Should the Commission consider that the measures implemented by STIF constituted State aid, France believed it could demonstrate their compatibility on the grounds of their conformity with Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007.
Regija je svoja stališča izrazila samo v zvezi z ukrepi, ki jih je izvajala sama med letoma 1994 in 2008.
According to the French authorities, the STIF mechanism met the requirements of that Regulation, i.e. that the PSOs be clearly defined, that the parameters for calculating the compensation be established in advance in an objective and transparent manner, and that arrangements be determined for the allocation of costs connected with the provision of services.
Regija opozarja, da je za organizacijo prevoza v regiji Île-de-France veljal sistem odstopanja od splošnih pravil, ki ga je upravičeval poseben položaj tega prevoza (demografski pritisk, urbana razporeditev, vzpostavitev mednarodnih letališč, številne postaje).
The CT1 met these requirements through the obligations listed in recital 64 and through the fact that STIF could carry out checks on the terms of implementation of those obligations.
Upravičenci do mehanizma so bile javne skupnosti, ki so z zasebnimi podjetji ali režijskimi obrati sklenile pogodbo o izvajanju prevoza na linijah.
As regards the CT2, the compensation payments provided for under the obligations were subdivided depending on their purpose (to cover operating costs or investment costs).
Ti upravičenci so bili dejavni na trgu regije Île-de-France, ki ni bil liberaliziran.
In the event of failure to renew vehicles as laid down in the vehicle fleet investment plan, the depreciation amounts and the corresponding financial costs were refunded to STIF.
Zadevni ukrepi ne pomenijo državne pomoči.
The French authorities emphasised that STIF also had the right to carry out audits and extensive checks under the CT2s.
Po mnenju regije namreč merili selektivnosti in vpliva na trgovino med državami članicami nista izpolnjeni.
It would therefore appear that STIF could satisfy itself that its payments were intended solely to cover costs specific to the CT2, and that they constituted fair compensation for PSOs in a manner compatible with Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 and with the common market.
Selektivnost
COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES AND OBSERVATIONS BY FRANCE
Odobritev zadevnih ukrepov je bila skladna z objektivnimi in opredeljenimi pogoji, ki so vsakemu podjetju, ki je izpolnjevalo pogoje, omogočali koriščenje teh ukrepov.
The Region
Podjetja, ki niso koristila zadevnih ukrepov, bodisi niso vložila prošnje, bodisi niso bila upravičena do njih.
The Region referred only to the measures it had itself implemented between 1994 and 2008.
Poleg tega so za pravno ureditev trga potniškega javnega prevoza v regiji Île-de-France značilne posebnosti, ki jih priznava francoski organ za konkurenco.
The Region pointed out that the organisation of transport in Île-de-France was subject to a system of derogations from the ordinary rules on the grounds of the special circumstances prevailing there (population expansion, urban spread, establishment of international airports, large numbers of stations).
Ker torej niso vsa podjetja v primerljivem pravnem in dejanskem položaju, ni mogoče ugotoviti, da so bili zadevni ukrepi selektivni.
The beneficiaries under the arrangement were local public authorities which had signed a route operating contract with private undertakings or were operating such routes under local authority control.
Poleg tega podjetja, ki izvajajo dejavnosti rednega javnega prevoza v cestnem prometu, in podjetja, ki opravljajo druge vrste prevoza, ne uporabljajo enakih voznih sredstev.
These beneficiaries were active on the market in Île-de-France, which had not been liberalised.
Vpliv na konkurenco in trgovino med državami članicami
The measures in question did not constitute State aid.
Regija se strinja z analizo Francije v zvezi s to točko.
According to the Region, the criteria of selectivity and effect on trade between Member States were not met.
Ker ukrepov ni mogoče opredeliti kot pomoči, regija ne analizira njihove združljivosti.
Selectivity
Opredelitev kot veljavna shema pomoči
The measures in question were awarded on the basis of objective, defined conditions whereby any undertaking which met the conditions could benefit from the measures.
Regija je v svoje zadnje pripombe vključila trditev, v skladu s katero bi bilo treba mehanizem, ki je veljal do leta 2008, analizirati kot veljavno shemo pomoči.
The undertakings which did not benefit from them had either not applied to do so or were not eligible for them.
Po navedbah regije je bil ta mehanizem uveden na podlagi zakonodajnih besedil iz leta 1949 in 1959, tj. na datum (1949) pred Rimsko pogodbo ali, če se uporabi leto 1959, na datum, ko trg rednega javnega prevoza v cestnem prometu v regiji Île-de-France ni bil odprt za konkurenco.
Moreover, the legal system governing the market in public passenger transport in Île-de-France displayed special features which were recognised by the French Competition Authority.
Združenje STIF je svoja stališča izrazil samo v zvezi z ukrepi, ki jih je izvajal sam: tj. pogodbama CT1 in CT2.
As all the undertakings, therefore, were not in a comparable legal and factual position, it could not be concluded that the measures in question were selective.
Po mnenju združenja STIF zadevnih ukrepov ni mogoče opredeliti kot državno pomoč, ker izpolnjujejo štiri merila iz sodbe Altmark.
Furthermore, undertakings operating scheduled public transport services by road and undertakings operating other types of transport services did not use the same rolling stock.
Prvo merilo iz sodbe Altmark je po mnenju združenja STIF izpolnjeno, ker so obveznosti javne službe, naložene prevoznim podjetjem, dejansko predstavljene jasno in natančno, vključno s tistimi, ki ustrezajo naložbenim stroškom.
Effect on competition and trade between Member States
Cilj in učinek mehanizma je, da so zasebnim prevoznim podjetjem naložene obveznosti upravljanja in izvajanja prevoza ter tarifne obveznosti, ki so nepogrešljive za zagotovitev ponudbe opravljanja prevoza, ki jo je mogoče primerjati z obveznostjo javne službe.
The Region subscribed to the assessment of this point by France.
Kar zadeva pogodbe CT1, so bile vse obveznosti navedene v vsaki pogodbi.
As the measures could not be classed as aid, the Region did not assess their compatibility.
Kar zadeva pogodbe CT2, pomenijo nadaljevanje pogodb CT1, v katerih so bile obveznosti javne službe že jasno določene.
Classification as an existing aid scheme
Sposobnost izvajanja nalog javne službe in izpolnjevanja njenih obveznosti je odvisna tudi od vozil (kakovost, oprema, starost itd.), kar vključuje podrobne obveznosti, povezane z vozili, vključno z obveznostjo v okviru pogodb CT2, da se izdela natančen naložbeni načrt.
In its final observations, the Region introduced the argument that the mechanism in force up to 2008 should be treated as an existing aid scheme.
Kar zadeva pogodbe CT1, združenje STIF meni, da so bili parametri, ki so bili podlaga za izračun nadomestila za opravljanje javne službe, objektivni in pregledni.
According to the Region, this mechanism was set up on the basis of legislation dating back to 1949 and 1959, i.e. to a time (1949) prior to the Treaty of Rome or, if 1959 was taken as the basis, to a time when the market in scheduled public transport services by road in Île-de-France was not open to competition.
Pogodbe CT2 vsebujejo podatke za izračun nadomestila, kar pomeni, da so parametri znani vnaprej ter določeni objektivno in pregledno.
STIF gave its views only on the measures it itself implemented: the CT1s and CT2s.
V pogodbah CT2 je predviden finančni račun storitve, določene s pogodbo med združenjem STIF in podjetjem, ki izraža ekonomsko ravnotežje pogodbe ter vključuje vse prihodke in odhodke podjetja, vključno s prispevki združenja STIF.
According to STIF, the measures in question could not be classed as State aid in that they met the four Altmark criteria.
Poleg tega oba tipa pogodb vključujeta mehanizme za nadzor nad nadomestili.
STIF took the view that the first Altmark criterion was met since the PSOs imposed on the transport undertakings were effectively set out clearly and precisely, including those corresponding to the investment costs.
Zato so bili po mnenju združenja STIF parametri za izračun nadomestila, dodeljenega izvajalcem, določeni vnaprej, objektivno in pregledno.
The aim and effect of the mechanism was to impose on private transport undertakings obligations to operate services and carry passengers, and fare obligations, which were essential in order to ensure the provision of a transport service akin to a PSO.
Po mnenju združenja STIF metoda za izbiro in primerjavo ponudb ter razvrstitev ponudb pred njihovim podpisom omogoča, da se izključi kakršno koli tveganje čezmernega nadomestila.
As regards the CT1s, all the obligations were listed in each contract.
Pred podpisom pogodb in dodatkov se namreč opravi poglobljena analiza stroškov poslovanja, ki temelji na predvidenem izkazu poslovnega izida, ki ga izdela podjetje kandidat in v katerem so predstavljeni tehnični in ekonomski podatki.
As for the CT2s, they followed on from the CT1s, which already laid down the PSOs clearly.
Pri tej analizi se upoštevajo naslednja merila:
The ability to perform the public-service task and fulfil public-service obligations also depended on the vehicles (quality, equipment, age, etc.), entailing detailed obligations with respect to the vehicles, including the obligation, under the CT2s, to draw up a precise investment plan.
obseg ponudbe po linijah, obdobjih in urah, ki omogoča določitev potrebnega števila ur vožnje za izvajanje prevozov na posamezni liniji glede na obdobje v letu;
As regards the CT1s, STIF considered that the parameters which formed the basis for calculating the public-service compensation were objective and transparent.
ustrezna določitev velikosti voznega parka za vsak del omrežja;
The CT2s contained data for calculating the compensation, meaning that the parameters were known in advance and were established objectively and transparently.
višina prispevka, ki je odvisna od pogajanj o stroških poslovanja, ki temeljijo na podrobni analitični predstavitvi s strani podjetja, in
In the CT2s, there was provision for a financial account for the service contractually agreed between STIF and the undertaking, reflecting the economic balance of the contract and covering all the undertaking's revenues and costs, including the contributions from STIF.
prilagoditvena formula za pretvorbo pogodbenih zneskov v tekoče eure.
The two types of contract also included mechanisms for monitoring the compensation.
Tudi metoda, ki se je uporabljala ob izvajanju pogodbe, naj bi omogočala preprečitev kakršnega koli čezmernega nadomestila.
So, according to STIF, the parameters for the compensation granted to operators were established in advance in an objective and transparent manner.
Predvidena sta:
STIF argued that the method used to select and compare bids and calibrate the contracts before they were signed made it possible to prevent any risk of overcompensation.
v okviru pogodbe CT1 nadzor nad pogoji izvajanja obveznosti javne službe, vključno v zvezi z nadomestili, izplačanimi za nakup vozil;
The operating costs were analysed thoroughly before contracts and riders were signed, on the basis of a projected operating account drawn up by the applicant undertaking and setting out technical and economic data.
v okviru pogodbe CT2 vračilo zneska amortizacije in finančnih stroškov v primeru opustitve obnovitve vozil, kot je predvidena v naložbenem načrtu.
The analysis took account of the following criteria:
Združenje STIF pri obeh tipih pogodb preverja dejansko uporabo izplačanih prispevkov.
the volume of the service offered by route, by period and by time slot, from which the number of hours of driving required to operate each route, depending on the time of year, could be determined;
Naloge javne službe niso bile dodeljene po postopku za oddajo javnega naročila.
the appropriate proportion of the vehicle fleet to be allocated to each part of the network;
Vendar po mnenju združenja STIF višina nadomestil izhaja iz natančne in poglobljene analize stroškov, ki bi jih imelo povprečno, dobro vodeno podjetje.