natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
This is, by definition, a cross-border activity.
Postopkovne zahteve
In addition, the tourist industry in Northern Norway, which will indirectly benefit from the Scheme, competes with the tourist industries in other EEA countries.
Ukrep pomoči, predviden v okviru sheme, se šteje kot pomoč za tekoče poslovanje.
Therefore, state funding under the notified measure will affect trade between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement.
Smernice o regionalni pomoči določajo, da „[s]heme pomoči za tekoče poslovanje niso zajete v kartah regionalnih pomoči in so ocenjene za vsak primer posebej na osnovi priglasitve zadevne države Efte v skladu s členom 1(3) dela I Protokola 3 k Sporazumu o nadzornem organu in sodišču“ [43].
Conclusion
V skladu s členom 1(3) dela I Protokola 3 se „Nadzorni organ Efte pravočasno obvesti, kar mu omogoča, da lahko predloži pripombe na kakršne koli načrte izvedbe ali spremembe[…].
The Authority considers that all of the conditions set out in Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement are met and therefore, that the notified Scheme entails state aid.
Zadevna država članica ne sme izvajati svojih predlaganih ukrepov, dokler v tem postopku ni sprejeta dokončna odločitev.“
The state aid is only compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement if it qualifies for one of the derogations in Article 61(3) of the EEA Agreement.
Norveški organi so priglasitev v zvezi s skladom za čarterske lete predložili 2. maja 2012 [44] in tako izpolnili zahtevo po priglasitvi iz člena 1(3) dela I Protokola 3.
Procedural requirements
Ker norveški organi niso izvajali priglašene sheme, so izpolnili obveznost mirovanja, ki je predvidena v členu 3 dela II Protokola 3.
The aid measure envisaged by the Scheme is considered as operating aid.
Kot zahteva formalni postopek, je Nadzorni organ proučil pripombe norveških organov in pripombe tretjih oseb.
The Regional Aid Guidelines provide that ‘operating aid schemes are not covered by the regional aid maps, and are assessed on a case by case basis on the basis of a notification by the EFTA State concerned pursuant to Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement’ [43].
Združljivost pomoči
Pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3, ‘the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall be informed, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter aid. … The State concerned shall not put its proposed measures into effect until the procedure has resulted in a final decision’.
Ocena ukrepa pomoči na podlagi člena 61(3) Sporazuma EGP v povezavi s smernicami o regionalni pomoči
By submitting a notification in relation to the Charter Fund on 2 May 2012 [44], the Norwegian authorities have complied with the notification requirement in Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.
Na podlagi odstopanj iz člena 61(3)(c) Sporazuma EGP je mogoče za združljivo z izvajanjem Sporazuma EGP šteti naslednjo pomoč:
By not implementing the notified Scheme, the Norwegian authorities have complied with the standstill obligation provided for under Article 3 of Part II of Protocol 3.
„pomoč za pospeševanje razvoja nekaterih gospodarskih dejavnosti ali nekaterih gospodarskih območij, kadar takšna pomoč ne škoduje trgovinskim pogojem v obsegu, ki bi bil v nasprotju s skupnimi interesi.“
As required by the formal procedure, the Authority has examined the comments made by the Norwegian authorities and the comments made by third parties.
Kot je bilo že omenjeno, se za namene ocene združljivosti pomoči šteje, da gre za pomoč za tekoče poslovanje.
Compatibility of the aid
Pomoč za tekoče poslovanje podjetje oprosti stroškov, ki bi jih običajno moralo kriti pri vsakodnevnem upravljanju ali običajnih dejavnostih [45].
Assessment of the aid measure under Article 61(3) of the EEA Agreement in conjunction with the Regional Aid Guidelines
Pomoč za tekoče poslovanje je praviloma prepovedana.
On the basis of the derogation in Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, the following may be considered to be compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement:
Smernice o regionalni pomoči določajo:
‘aid to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas, where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest’.
„Na podlagi člena 61(3)(a) in člena 61(3)(c) Sporazuma EGP se lahko državna pomoč, dodeljena za spodbujanje gospodarskega razvoja nekaterih prikrajšanih območij v EGP, šteje kot združljiva z delovanjem Sporazuma EGP.
With a view to assessing the compatibility of the aid, as already noted, it constitutes operating aid.
Ta vrsta državne pomoči se imenuje državna regionalna pomoč.
Operating aid releases an undertaking from costs which it would normally have to bear in its day-to-day management or normal activities [45].
Državna regionalna pomoč pomeni pomoč za naložbe, dodeljena večjim družbam, ali, pod določenimi omejenimi pogoji, pomoč za tekoče poslovanje, ki sta obe namenjeni posebnim regijam, da bi se tako zmanjšale regionalne razlike“ (poudarek je dodan) [46].
Operating aid is normally prohibited.
Smernice poleg tega določajo:
The Regional Aid Guidelines provide that:
„Z odstopanjem od prejšnjega odstavka se pomoč za tekoče poslovanje, ki se ne zmanjšuje postopoma in ni časovno omejena, lahko odobri samo v regijah z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev, pod pogojem, da je namenjena preprečevanju ali zmanjšanju stalnega upadanja števila prebivalstva teh regij [47].
‘on the basis of Article 61(3)(a) and Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, state aid granted to promote the economic development of certain disadvantaged areas within the EEA may be considered to be compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.
Regije z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev pomenijo ali spadajo k regijam na ravni NUTS-II za Norveško ali NUTS-IV za Islandijo z gostoto prebivalstva 8 prebivalcev na kvadratni kilometer ali manj ter obsegajo sosednja ali mejna območja, ki izpolnjujejo isto merilo glede gostote prebivalstva“ (poudarek je dodan) [48].
This kind of state aid is known as national regional aid.
Pomoč se lahko odobri samo v regijah z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev
National regional aid consists of aid for investment granted to large companies, or in certain limited circumstances, operating aid, which in both cases are targeted on specific regions in order to redress regional disparities’ (emphasis added) [46].
Tri okrožja spadajo med regije z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev
The Guidelines also provide that:
Kot je določeno v smernicah o regionalni pomoči, se pomoč za tekoče poslovanje, ki se ne zmanjšuje postopoma in ni časovno omejena, lahko odobri samo v regijah z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev, pod pogojem, da je namenjena preprečevanju ali zmanjšanju stalnega upadanja števila prebivalstva v navedenih regijah.
‘In derogation from the previous paragraph, operating aid which is not both progressively reduced and limited in time may only be authorised in the least populated regions, in so far as it is intended to prevent or reduce the continuing depopulation of these regions [47].
Regije z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev so regije z gostoto prebivalstva 8 prebivalcev na kvadratni kilometer ali manj [49].
The least populated regions represent or belong to regions at NUTS-II level for Norway and NUTS IV level for Iceland with a population density of 8 inhabitants per km2 or less and extend to adjacent and contiguous smaller areas meeting the same population density criterion’ (emphasis added) [48].
Tri okrožja imajo gostoto prebivalstva 4,2 prebivalca na kvadratni kilometer.
The aid may only be authorised in the least populated regions
Zato izpolnjujejo pogoje iz smernic o regionalni pomoči in se zanje lahko izvede bolj prilagodljiva ocena združljivosti ukrepa pomoči za tekoče poslovanje.
The three Counties belong to the least populated regions
Neposredni upravičenci do pomoči iz sheme niso nujno v regijah z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev – povezava med ukrepom pomoči in regionalnim razvojem severne Norveške
As provided by the Regional Aid Guidelines, operating aid which is not both progressively reduced and limited in time may only be authorised in the least populated regions, insofar as it is intended to prevent or reduce the continuing depopulation of those regions.
Pomoč kot taka bo izplačana organizatorjem potovanj, ki so lahko zunaj Norveške ali EGP.
The least populated regions are regions with a population density of 8 inhabitants or less per square kilometre [49].
Neposredni upravičenci do pomoči torej ne bodo nujno v regijah z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev.
The three Counties have a population density of 4,2 inhabitants per square kilometre.
Nadzorni organ je v svojem sklepu o začetku postopka podvomil, ali se shema, ki omogoča dodelitev pomoči za tekoče poslovanje upravičencem, ki so lahko zunaj regij z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev, lahko šteje za združljivo s smernicami o regionalni pomoči.
Therefore they meet the conditions set out in the Regional Aid Guidelines to benefit from the more flexible compatibility assessment for an operating aid measure.
Nadzorni organ je podvomil tudi, ali dejstvo, da je shema posredno ciljno usmerjena v podjetja v zadevni regiji, pomeni dovolj močno povezavo za regionalni razvoj področja.
The direct beneficiaries of the Scheme are not necessarily located in the least populated regions — link between the aid measure and the regional development of Northern Norway
Norveški organi so trdili, da je povezava med pomočjo organizatorjem potovanj in regionalnim razvojem severne Norveške zadostna zaradi naslednjih razlogov:
The aid as such will be paid to tour operators which may be located outside of Norway/the EEA.
shema se bo uporabljala izključno za čarterske lete na sever Norveške,
The direct beneficiary of the aid will therefore not necessarily be located in the least populated regions.
pomoč bo organizatorjem potovanj izplačana iz sklada za čarterske lete po zaključku letov na ciljno področje.
The Authority questioned whether the fact that the undertakings in the region concerned are indirectly targeted by the Scheme constitutes a sufficiently strong link for the regional development of the area.
Pomoč ne bo odobrena za prevoz turistov s čarterskimi leti na letališča zunaj te regije.
The Norwegian authorities have argued that the link between the aid to the tour operator and the regional development of Northern Norway is sufficient for the following reasons:
Jasno je, da je ciljno področje sheme severna Norveška, ki je eno izmed najmanj poseljenih področij na Norveškem.
The Scheme will apply to charter flights to Northern Norway exclusively;
Nadzorni organ izpostavlja tudi zahtevo, da se shema uporablja le za pakete, ki vključujejo aranžmaje „na tleh“ v tej regiji.
Only packages including a ‘land arrangement’ will be eligible for aid under the Scheme;
To pomeni, da bi shema s privabljanjem turistov, ki drugače ne bi prišli v regijo, lahko imela neposredne učinke v tej regiji.
The aid will be paid from the Charter Fund to tour operators after flights to the target area have been completed.
Aranžmaji „na tleh“ bi morali zagotoviti, da turisti ostanejo v regiji med njihovimi počitnicami na severu Norveške.
The Authority notes that a tour operator will only receive aid if it operates a charter series to a regional airport in Northern Norway.
Shema zahteva, da je vrednost aranžmajev „na tleh“ vsaj 800 NOK na turista.
The aid will not be granted for the transport of tourists on charter flights outside this region.
Pomoč iz sklada za čarterske lete bo dodeljena po zaključku serije čarterskih letov in po tem, ko se dokaže, da so izpolnjena merila za dodelitev.
It is clear that the target area of the Scheme is Northern Norway, among the least populated areas of Norway.
Eno izmed meril je, da mora zahtevek podpreti ponudnik turističnih storitev na destinaciji.
The Authority also notes the requirement that the Scheme only applies to packages which include a ‘land arrangement’ in this region.
Pomoč ne bo dodeljena paketom, ki vključujejo samo letalske vozovnice.
This means that the Scheme may have a direct effect in the region by way of bringing in tourists that would otherwise not come to the region.
Ponudniki storitev, ki se nahajajo v treh okrožjih, bodo imeli koristi od povečanja števila turistov in posledičnega povečanja povpraševanja po njihovih storitvah, kar pomeni, da bodo imeli posredne koristi od sheme.
The ‘land arrangement’ should ensure that tourists stay in the region during their vacation in Northern Norway.
Iz preglednic v oddelku 2.2 dela I, ki zadevata porabo turistov v regiji, je razvidno, da bo imelo povečanje števila turistov neposreden gospodarski vpliv na turistični sektor v regiji.
The ‘land arrangement’ is required by the Scheme to have a value of at least NOK 800 per tourist.
Nadzorni organ meni, da bodo glavni gospodarski učinki sheme verjetno usmerjeni na ciljno področje sheme.
Aid from the Charter Fund will be granted once the charter series has been completed and after it has been documented that the award criteria are met.
Nadzorni organ ugotavlja tudi, da je Evropska komisija dovolila dodeljevanje regionalne pomoči upravičencem, ki se nahajajo zunaj regij, upravičenih do regionalne pomoči.
One of the award criteria is that the application be supported by a destination provider of tourist services.
V sklepu v zvezi z Italijo (Sicilijo) je Komisija na primer sklenila, da so subvencije, ki krijejo stroške za spodbujanje prevoza turistov s čarterskimi leti, združljive s členom 107(3)(a) PDEU.
Aid will not be awarded to ‘air-only packages’.
Subvencije so bile na voljo organizatorjem potovanj, ki so najeli letalo za prevoz turistov na Sicilijo.
The service providers located in the three Counties will gain from an increase in tourists and the consequent increase in demand for their services and, as such, will indirectly benefit from the Scheme.
Tudi za subvencije za kritje stroškov prevoza na Sicilijo, ki so bile dodeljene italijanskim in tujim potovalnim agencijam za zagotavljanje turističnih potovanj kot delov paketnih potovanj in za prevoz turistov z vlakom ali po morju, je bilo sklenjeno, da so združljive [50].
The tables in Section 2.2 in Part I above on tourists spending in the region, show that an increase in tourists will have a direct economic impact on the tourism sector in the region.
Na podlagi tega je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da kljub temu, da je lahko neposredni upravičenec do pomoči zunaj severne Norveške, shema vsebuje zadostno povezavo z regijo, v kateri naj bi prišlo do nameravanih učinkov.
The Authority finds it likely that the main economic effects of the Scheme will be channelled to the Scheme's target area.
Pomoč mora biti potrebna in ustrezna za preprečevanje ali zmanjševanje nadaljnjega upada prebivalstva
The Authority also notes that the EU Commission has accepted the grant of regional aid to beneficiaries located outside regions eligible for regional aid.
Naloga zadevne države Efte je, da dokaže, da je predlagana pomoč potrebna in ustrezna za preprečevanje ali zmanjševanje nadaljnjega upada prebivalstva [51].
For example, in a decision concerning Italy (Sicily), the Commission found that grants covering costs aimed at promoting tourist transport by charter flights were compatible with Article 107(3)(a) TFEU.
Da bi se priglašeni ukrep štel za potrebnega, morajo norveški organi dokazati, da obstaja potreba po državnem posredovanju z namenom, da se doseže cilj preprečevanja ali zmanjšanja nadaljnjega upada prebivalstva.
The grants were available to tour operators that hired aircraft for carrying tourists to Sicily.
Norveški organi so Nadzornemu organu sporočili, da je bila severna Norveška, ki je eno izmed najmanj poseljenih področij v Evropi, vedno zelo redko poseljena in da že več desetletij trpi zaradi upadanja prebivalstva.
Grants to cover transport costs to Sicily awarded to Italian and foreign travel agencies for providing tourist travel as part of inclusive tours and for carrying tourists by rail or sea were also found to be compatible [50].
Norveški organi zato menijo, da je treba sprejeti nadaljnje ukrepe za stabilizacijo naseljevanja v regiji in za preprečevanje nadaljnjega upadanja prebivalstva.
On this basis, the Authority comes to the conclusion that even though the direct beneficiary of the aid may be located outside Northern Norway, the Scheme contains a sufficient link to the region where the intended effects are aimed to be produced.
Shema je eno od orodij, potrebnih za uresničitev navedenega cilja.
The aid must be necessary and appropriate to prevent or reduce continuing depopulation
Norveški organi priznavajo, da ustanovitev sklada za čarterske lete sama po sebi ne bo rešila problema upadanja prebivalstva, vendar menijo, da bo v okviru splošne politike povečala gospodarsko dejavnost v regiji ter ohranila obstoječa delovna mesta in ustvarila nova.
It is the task of the EFTA State concerned to demonstrate that aid is necessary and appropriate in order to prevent or reduce continuing depopulation [51].
Zaposlitvene možnosti in pričakovani prihodki so najbolj odločilni dejavniki, ki vplivajo na posameznikovo izbiro prebivališča.
In order for the notified measure to be considered necessary, the Norwegian authorities must demonstrate that there is a need for state intervention in order to achieve the objective of preventing or reducing continuing depopulation.
Da bi se shema štela za ustrezno, morajo norveški organi dokazati, da ni očitno, da bi bili drugi ukrepi bolj ustrezni za uresničitev cilja preprečevanja ali zmanjševanja upadanja prebivalstva na področjih z najmanjšim številom prebivalcev [52].
The Norwegian authorities have informed the Authority that Northern Norway, one of Europe's least populated areas, has always been extremely sparsely populated and has suffered from depopulation for decades.
Norveški organi trdijo, da je shema ustrezna, ker je najboljši razpoložljivi ukrep, ki lahko poveča turizem, ustvari delovna mesta v turistični industriji in tako prispeva k zmanjšanju upadanja prebivalstva v regiji.
The Norwegian authorities therefore consider that it is necessary to take further measures to stabilise settlement in the region and to prevent further depopulation.
Po njihovem mnenju tradicionalna pomoč za naložbe sama po sebi ni vedno najbolj primerno sredstvo za reševanje posebnih problemov v tej regiji.
The Scheme is one of the tools necessary to achieve that objective.
Delovna mesta so ključnega pomena za ohranjanje števila prebivalcev.
The Norwegian authorities recognise that the establishment of the Charter Fund will not on its own solve the problem of depopulation, but consider that it will, as a part of a general policy, increase economic activity in the region and maintain and create new jobs.
Turizem je rastoč sektor, ki je delovno intenziven in odvisen od lokalne delovne sile.
Employment opportunities and expected income are the most decisive factors influencing an individual's choice of residence.
Eden od izzivov pri razvoju turistične industrije na severu Norveške je dobičkonosnost in sezonski značaj turističnega sektorja.
In order for the Scheme to be considered appropriate, the Norwegian authorities must demonstrate that it is not apparent that other measures would be better suited in order to achieve the aim of preventing or reducing depopulation in the least populated areas [52].
Namen sklada za čarterske lete je povečati turizem v nizki sezoni in tako prispevati k zagotovitvi celoletnih delovnih mest.
The Norwegian authorities argue that the Scheme is appropriate as it is the best measure available with which to increase tourism, create jobs in the tourist industry and thus to contribute to a reduction in depopulation in the region.
Norveški organi trdijo, da instrument pomoči, ki lokalnim družbam v regiji nudi le omejeno pomoč, ne bi prinesel povečanja števila letov na zadevna letališča (in s tem povečanja turizma v regiji) ali preprečil upadanje prebivalstva.
In its view, traditional investment aid alone is not always the most adequate instrument to address the specific problems in the region.
Po njihovem mnenju je sklad za čarterske lete instrument z največjo možnostjo za uspeh in najmanjšimi učinki izkrivljanja.
Jobs are crucial to support population levels.
Glede na to menijo, da je shema ustrezna.
Tourism is a growing sector, and is both labour-intensive and dependent on a local work force.
Nadzorni organ je v svojem sklepu o začetku postopka izrazil dvome v zvezi s priglašenim ukrepom in zlasti postavil vprašanje, ali bi bilo mogoče navedene cilje sheme doseči z drugimi sredstvi namesto z zagotavljanjem pomoči za tekoče poslovanje organizatorjem potovanj, ki organizirajo počitniške pakete z uporabo čarterskih (izrednih) letov (na primer prek paketov, ki vključujejo redne lete).
One of the challenges in developing a tourist industry in Northern Norway is profitability and the seasonal nature of the tourism sector.
Nadzorni organ meni, da so norveški organi odpravili nekatere njegove dvome v zvezi s tem in tako dokazali, da obstaja potreba po državnem posredovanju in da je shema potrebna kot orodje za preprečevanje upadanja prebivalstva na severu Norveške.
The Charter Fund is intended to increase tourism in the low season, thus contributing to year-round jobs.
Nadzorni organ meni tudi, da je mogoče sklad za čarterske lete obravnavati kot orodje za povečanje turizma v regiji in posledično povečanje zaposlovanja v eni od najmanj poseljenih regij na Norveškem.
The Norwegian authorities argue that an aid instrument, which only would have limited aid to local companies in the region, would not result in an increase in the number of flights to relevant airports (and thereby in tourism in the area) or prevent depopulation.
To ugotovitev podpirajo tretje osebe iz različnih podjetij v turističnem sektorju v tej regiji, ki so izrazile podporo shemi.
In their view, the Charter Fund is the instrument with the highest chance of success and minimal distortive effects.
Vendar pa je imel Nadzorni organ dvome v zvezi z ustreznostjo in učinki sheme za razvoj in preprečevanje upadanja prebivalstva regije.
In that light, they consider that the Scheme is appropriate.
Ni očitno, da ciljev ni mogoče doseči z drugimi sredstvi, na primer s sestavljanjem paketov z uporabo rednih letov.
In its opening Decision, the Authority expressed doubts in relation to the notified measure and in particular questioned whether the stated objectives of the Scheme could not be achieved by means other than providing operating aid to tour operators organising holiday packages using charter flights (non-scheduled) (for example, through packages using scheduled flights).
Nadzorni organ je v svoji oceni upošteval smernice o regionalni pomoči, ki določajo:
The Authority considers that the Norwegian authorities have satisfied some of the Authority's doubts in that regard and thus demonstrated that there is a need for state intervention and that the Scheme is necessary as a tool to prevent depopulation in the region of Northern Norway.
„Kadar je izjemoma predvidena dodelitev posamične ad hoc pomoči enemu samemu podjetju ali je pomoč omejena na eno področje dejavnosti, mora država članica dokazati, da projekt prispeva h koherentni regionalni razvojni strategiji“ (poudarek je dodan) [53].
The Authority also considers that the Charter Fund can be viewed as a tool with which to increase tourism in the region and in turn increase employment in one of Norway's least populated regions.
Severna Norveška se obravnava kot prednostno področje v smislu regionalnega razvoja, cilj norveške vlade pa je preprečiti upadanje prebivalstva in spodbuditi naseljevanje v tej regiji.
This finding is supported by third parties from various businesses in the tourist sector in the region, which have expressed themselves in favour of the Scheme.
Podpora za turistično industrijo se šteje kot ključni dejavnik za razvoj regije in norveški organi trdijo, da je ustvarjanje zaposlitvenih možnosti še posebej pomembno za uresničitev cilja preprečevanja ali zmanjšanja upadanja prebivalstva v regiji.