natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area [1], in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof, Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice [2], in particular to Articles 24, 5(2)(b) and 1 in Part I of Protocol 3 thereof, Whereas under Article 24 of the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall give effect to the provisions of the EEA Agreement concerning State aid.
ob upoštevanju Sporazuma o Evropskem gospodarskem prostoru [1] in zlasti členov 61 do 63 ter Protokola 26 k Sporazumu, ob upoštevanju Sporazuma med državami EFTA o ustanovitvi Nadzornega organa in Sodišča [2] in zlasti člena 24, člena 5(2)(b) ter člena 1 dela I Protokola 3 k Sporazumu, ker Nadzorni organ EFTA v skladu s členom 24 Sporazuma o nadzoru in sodišču uveljavlja določbe Sporazuma EGP v zvezi z državno pomočjo;
No 218/03/COL
št. 21/03/COL
of 12 November 2003
z dne 12. novembra 2003
with regard to state aid in the form of regionally differentiated social security contributions — Norway
o državni pomoči v obliki regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost – Norveška
THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,
NADZORNI ORGAN EFTA JE –
Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area [1], in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,
OB UPOŠTEVANJU Sporazuma o Evropskem gospodarskem prostoru [1], in zlasti členov 61 do 63 ter Protokola 26 k Sporazumu,
Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice [2], in particular to Article 24 and Protocol 3 thereof,
OB UPOŠTEVANJU Sporazuma med državami EFTE o ustanovitvi Nadzornega organa in Sodišča [2], et notamment son article 24 et son protocole 3,
Having regard to the Authority’s Guidelines [3] on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement,
OB UPOŠTEVANJU Smernic Organa [3] o uporabi in razlagi členov 61 in 62 Sporazuma EGP,
Having regard to the Authority’s decision to propose appropriate measures to Norway [4],
OB UPOŠTEVANJU sklepa Organa, da Norveški predlaga ustrezne ukrepe [4],
Having regard to the EEA Joint Committee Decision No 88/2002 of 25 June 2002 [5] incorporating into Annex XV to the EEA Agreement Commission Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to de minimis aid [6],
OB UPOŠTEVANJU Sklepa Skupnega odbora EGP št. 88/2002 z dne 25. junija 2002, [5] ki v Prilogo XV k Sporazumu EGP vključuje Uredbo Komisije (ES) št. 69/2001 z dne 12. januarja 2001 o uporabi členov 87 in 88 Pogodbe ES pri de minimis pomoči [6],
Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above [7],
PO POZIVU zainteresiranim strankam, da predložijo svoje pripombe v skladu z zgoraj navedenimi določbami [7],
Whereas the Norwegian authorities by letter dated 26 March 2003 notified to the Authority a three-year transitional period for the regionally differentiated social security contributions as well as a new direct transport aid scheme,
KER so norveški organi oblasti s pismom z dne 26. marca 2003 Organu priglasili triletno prehodno obdobje za regionalno diferencirane prispevke za socialno varnost ter nov program neposredne pomoči za prevoz,
Whereas the present decision only concerns the notification of a three-year transitional period for the regionally differentiated social security contributions, and not the notification of a new direct transport aid scheme,
KER se ta odločba nanaša le na priglasitev triletnega prehodnega obdobja za regionalno diferencirane prispevke za socialno varnost in ne na priglasitev novega programa neposredne pomoči za prevoz,
By letter from the Mission of Norway to the European Union dated 26 March 2003 (Document No 03-1846 A), forwarding a letter from the Ministry of Trade and Industry dated 25 March 2003, a letter from the Ministry of Finance dated 25 March 2003 and a letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, all received and registered by the Authority on 26 March 2003, the Norwegian authorities notified a three year transitional period, from 2004 to 2007, for the regionally differentiated social security contributions by employers in certain geographical areas (tax zones 3 and 4) and a new national direct transport aid scheme.
S pismom norveške misije Evropski uniji z dne 26. marca 2003 (dok. št. 03-1846 A), s katerim so bila posredovana pisma Ministrstva za trgovino in industrijo z dne 25. marca 2003, Ministrstva za finance z dne 25. marca 2003 in Ministrstva za lokalno upravo in regionalni razvoj, ki jih je Organ prejel in evidentiral 26. marca 2003, so norveški organi oblasti priglasili triletno prehodno obdobje od leta 2004 do 2007 za regionalno diferencirane prispevke delodajalcev za socialno varnost v določenih geografskih območjih (prispevni coni 3 in 4) in nov program neposredne pomoči za prevoz.
The Norwegian authorities also described the introduction of a de minimis scheme to be applied in relation to employers’ social security contributions.
Norveški organi oblasti so opisali tudi uvedbo sistema de minimis, ki naj bi veljal za prispevke delodajalcev za socialno varnost.
By letter from the Mission of Norway to the European Union dated 15 April 2003 (Document No 03-2467 A), forwarding a letter from the Ministry of Trade and Industry dated 10 April 2003 and a letter from the Ministry of Finance dated 10 April 2003, all received and registered by the Authority on 16 April 2003, the Norwegian authorities notified a continuation of regionally differentiated social security contributions in Nord-Troms and Finnmark (zone 5).
S pismom norveške misije Evropski uniji z dne 15. aprila 2003 (dok. št. 03-2467 A), s katerim sta bili posredovani pismi Ministrstva za trgovino in industrijo z dne 10. aprila 2003 ter Ministrstva za finance z dne 10. aprila 2003, ki jih je Organ prejel in evidentiral 16. aprila 2003, so norveški organi oblasti priglasili nadaljnje izvajanje regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost v Nord-Tromsu in Finnmarku (cona 5).
By letter dated 16 May 2003 (Document No 03-2951 D), the Authority acknowledged the receipt of the above letters and requested additional information.
S pismom z dne 16. maja 2003 (dok. št. 03-2951 D) je Organ potrdil prejem navedenih pisem in zaprosil za dodatne informacije.
By letter from the Mission of Norway to the European Union dated 10 June 2003 (Document No 03-3707 A), forwarding a letter from the Ministry of Finance dated 5 June 2003, both received and registered by the Authority on 11 June 2003, the Norwegian authorities submitted additional information.
S pismom norveške misije Evropski uniji z dne 10. junija 2003 (dok. št. 03-3707 A), s katerim je bilo posredovano pismo Ministrstva za finance z dne 5. junija 2003, ki ju je Organ prejel in evidentiral 11. junija 2003, so norveški organi oblasti predložili dodatne informacije.
By letter from the Norwegian Ambassador to the European Union dated 4 July 2003 (Document No 03-4403 A), the notification concerning zone 5 was withdrawn, as the EFTA States, by common accord in the Standing Committee of the EFTA States on 1 July 2003 (No 2/2003/SC), and by reference to Article 1(2) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, decided that the present scheme in zone 5 was compatible with the EEA Agreement due to the exceptional circumstances in this zone.
S pismom norveškega veleposlanika Evropski uniji z dne 4. julija 2003 (dok. št. 03-4403 A) je bila priglasitev v zvezi s cono 5 preklicana, ker so države EFTE sklenile, v medsebojnem soglasju, doseženem v Stalnem odboru držav EFTE 1. julija 2003 (št. 2/2003/SC), in s sklicevanjem na člen 1(2) Protokola 3 k Sporazumu o nadzoru in sodišču, da je sedanji sistem v coni 5 zaradi njenih izjemnih okoliščin združljiv s Sporazumom EGP.
By letter dated 16 July 2003 (Document No 03-4598 D), the Authority informed the Norwegian authorities of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, with regard to State aid in the form of regionally differentiated social security contributions and direct transport aid (hereinafter the decision to open an investigation).
S pismom z dne 16. julija 2003 (dok. št. 03-4598 D) je Organ obvestil norveške organe oblasti o svojem sklepu, da sproži postopek, določen v členu 1(2) dela I Protokola 3 k Sporazumu o nadzoru in sodišču, v zvezi z državno pomočjo v obliki regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost in neposredne pomoči za prevoz (v nadaljnjem besedilu „sklep o začetku preiskave“).
The decision to open an investigation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union [8].
Odločitev o začetku preiskave je bila objavljena v Uradnem listu Evropske unije [8].
The Authority invited interested parties to present comments on the aid scheme concerned.The official response of the Norwegian authorities to the decision to open an investigation, was received by fax from the Ministry of Trade and Industry dated 17 September 2003, forwarding a letter from the Ministry of Finance dated 17 September 2003 (Document No 03-6381 A).
Organ je povabil zainteresirane stranke, da sporočijo pripombe k zadevnemu programu pomoči.Norveški organi oblasti so se na sklep o začetku preiskave uradno odzvali s faksom Ministrstva za trgovino in industrijo z dne 17. septembra 2003, s katerim so posredovali pismo Ministrstva za finance z dne 17. septembra 2003 (dok. št. 03-6381 A).
The letter from the Ministry of Finance dated 17 September 2003 was also forwarded by letter from the Mission of Norway dated 18 September 2003, received and registered by the Authority on 19 September 2003 (Document No 03-6451 A).
Pismo Ministrstva za finance z dne 17. septembra 2003 je bilo tudi posredovano s pismom norveške misije z dne 18. septembra 2003, ki ju je Organ prejel in evidentiral 19. septembra 2003 (dok. št. 03-6451 A).
The Authority received comments from 10 interested parties.
Organ je prejel pripombe od desetih zainteresiranih strank.
By letters dated 16 October 2003 (Document No 03-7071 D) and 17 October 2003 (Document No 03-7135), respectively, the Authority submitted the comments from third parties to the Norwegian authorities.
S pismoma z dne 16. oktobra 2003 (dok. št. 03-7071 D) in 17. oktobra 2003 (dok. št. 03-7135) je Organ norveškim organom oblasti predložil pripombe tretjih strank.
By fax dated 21 October 2003, the Ministry of Trade and Industry forwarded a reply dated 21 October 2003 from the Ministry of Finance (Document No 03-7243 A) concerning the comments from third parties.
Ministrstvo za trgovino in industrijo je s faksom z dne 21. oktobra 2003 posredovalo odgovor Ministrstva za finance z dne 21. oktobra 2003 (dok. št. 03-7243 A) v zvezi s pripombami tretjih strank.
By letter from the Mission of Norway dated 23 October 2003, received and registered by the Authority on 24 October 2003 (Document No 03-7360 A), the letter from the Ministry of Finance was also forwarded to the Authority.
S pismom norveške misije z dne 23. oktobra 2003, ki ga je Organ prejel in evidentiral 24. oktobra 2003 (dok. št. 03-7360 A), je bilo Organu posredovano tudi pismo Ministrstva za finance.
On 22 September 1999 the Authority approved a proposal from the Norwegian authorities, concerning new regulations in the regionally differentiated social security contributions scheme [9].
Organ je 22. septembra 1999 odobril predlog norveških organov oblasti v zvezi z novimi predpisi za sistem regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost [9].
The approval was limited in time, not going beyond 31 December 2003.
Odobritev je bila časovno omejena do 31. decembra 2003.
On 21 December 2000 the European Commission took a negative decision concerning a reduced social contributions aid scheme notified by Sweden [10].
Evropska komisija je 21. decembra 2000 sprejela negativen sklep v zvezi s programom pomoči za zmanjšane socialne prispevke, ki ga je priglasila Švedska.
The Commission pointed out that the amount of aid granted under the scheme to an eligible undertaking did not bear any relation to the additional transport costs actually incurred by that particular undertaking, and that it could not be excluded that there was overcompensation of the additional transport costs, at least in some cases.
Komisija je poudarila, da znesek pomoči, odobrene v okviru programa, upravičenemu podjetju ni nikakor povezan z dodatnimi stroški prevoza, ki jih to podjetje dejansko ustvari, in da ni mogoče izključiti možnosti, da je vsaj v nekaterih primerih šlo za previsoka povračila dodatnih stroškov prevoza.
In the decision, it is also pointed out that Norway, by letter dated 27 July 2000, submitted comments to the decision to initiate the procedure, and that the Norwegian authorities confirmed that Norway operates a scheme that is similar to the Swedish scheme.
Komisija je v sklepu poudarila tudi, da je Norveška s pismom z dne 27. julija 2000 predložila pripombe na sklep o začetku preiskave in da so norveški organi oblasti potrdili, da je sistem, ki deluje na Norveškem, podoben švedskemu.
In the light of the Swedish decision, the Norwegian system was thereafter discussed at several meetings between the Norwegian authorities and the Authority, as well as between the Authority and the services of the European Commission.
Glede na sklep o Švedski se je o norveškem sistemu kasneje razpravljalo na različnih sestankih norveških organov oblasti in Organa ter tudi na sestankih Organa in služb Evropske komisije.
By letter from the Authority dated 29 November 2001 (Document No 01-9557 D), the Norwegian authorities were inter alia informed that the Authority would start an assessment of the Norwegian system, aimed at formulating a proposal for appropriate measures so that equal conditions of competition within the territory covered by the EEA Agreement were to be re-established.
S pismom Organa z dne 29. novembra 2001 (dok. št. 01-9557 D) so bili norveški organi oblasti med drugim obveščeni, da bo Organ začel presojo norveškega sistema, na podlagi katere naj bi oblikoval predlog za ustrezne ukrepe, da bi se ponovno dosegli enaki pogoji konkurence na ozemlju, ki ga pokriva Sporazum EGP.
The Authority initiated a formal review of the Norwegian system by letter to the Norwegian authorities dated 4 June 2002 (Document No 02-4189 D).
Organ je začel formalno presojo norveškega sistema s pismom norveškim organom oblasti z dne 4. junija 2002 (dok. št. 02-4189 D).
In this letter the Authority expressed its preliminary view that the Norwegian system of regionally differentiated social security contributions might no longer be compatible with the EEA Agreement.
S tem pismom je izrazil svoje predhodno mnenje, da je mogoče, da norveški sistem regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost ni več združljiv s Sporazumom EGP.
In the Authority’s decision of 25 September 2002 [11] to propose appropriate measures, it was concluded that the present regionally differentiated social security contributions scheme did not qualify for the derogation provided for under Article 61(3)(c) EEA.
Organ je v sklepu z dne 25. septembra 2002 [11] sklenil, da sedanji sistem regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost ni izpolnjeval pogojev za odstopanja, določena v členu 61(3)(c) EGP.
The amount of aid granted under the present scheme does not bear any relation to the additional transport costs actually incurred by a particular undertaking and is not calculated in line with the provisions of Annex XI of the State Aid Guidelines.
Znesek pomoči, dodeljen v okviru sedanjega sistema, ni nikakor povezan z dodatnimi stroški prevoza, ki jih določeno podjetje dejansko ustvari, in se ne obračuna v skladu z določbami Priloge XI Smernic o državni pomoči.
In the operative part of the Decision it is inter alia stated:
V izvedbenem delu Sklepa je med drugim navedeno:
‘The EFTA Surveillance Authority proposes to Norway, on the basis of Article 1(1) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the following appropriate measures with regard to the State aid involved in the system of regionally differentiated social security tax (Geografisk differensiert arbeidsgiveravgift):
„Nadzorni organ EFTE na podlagi člena 1(1) Protokola 3 k Sporazumu o nadzoru in sodišču predlaga Norveški naslednje ustrezne ukrepe v zvezi z državno pomočjo za sistem regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost („Geografisk differensiert arbeidsgiveravgift“):
the Norwegian authorities shall take any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to eliminate any State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) EEA, resulting from the system of regionally differentiated social security tax, or to render such aid compatible with Article 61 of the EEA Agreement;
norveški organi sprejmejo vse potrebne zakonodajne, upravne in druge ukrepe za odpravo kakršne koli državne pomoči v smislu člena 61(1) EGP, ki izhaja iz sistema regionalno diferenciranih prispevkov za socialno varnost, ali za uskladitev take pomoči s členom 61 Sporazuma EGP;
the Norwegian authorities shall eliminate any such aid or render it compatible with effect from 1 January 2004 unless the Authority agrees to a later date should that be considered objectively necessary and justified by the Authority in order to allow an appropriate transition for the undertakings in question to the adjusted situation; and
norveški organi oblasti odpravijo vso tako pomoč ali jo uskladijo z učinkom od 1. januarja 2004, razen če se Organ strinja s kasnejšim datumom, če meni, da je tak datum objektivno potreben in upravičen, zato da se omogoči ustrezen prehod zadevnih podjetij na prilagojene razmere; in
the Norwegian authorities shall communicate to the Authority the relevant measures adjusting the aid scheme as soon as possible and in any event no later than 25 March 2003.
norveški organi oblasti Organu čim prej sporočijo ustrezne ukrepe za prilagoditev programa pomoči, vsekakor pa najkasneje do 25. marca 2003.
The Norwegian authorities are requested to inform the Authority in writing within one month from receipt of this proposal that they accept, pursuant to Article 1(1) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, in its entirety this proposal for appropriate measures.’
Organ prosi norveške organe oblasti, da ga v enem mesecu od prejema njegovega predloga pisno obvestijo, da v skladu s členom 1(1) Protokola 3 k Sporazumu o nadzoru in sodišču v celoti sprejemajo ta predlog za ustrezne ukrepe.“
By letter dated 29 October 2002 from the Mission of Norway to the European Union, received and registered by the Authority on 31 October 2002 (Document No 02-7855 A), the Norwegian authorities accepted the appropriate measures.
S pismom norveške misije Evropski uniji z dne 29. oktobra 2002, ki ga je Organ prejel in evidentiral 31. oktobra 2002 (dok. št. 02-7855 A), so norveški organi oblasti sprejeli ustrezne ukrepe.
Description of the notified aid
Opis priglašene pomoči
Object and form of the aid
Cilj in oblika pomoči
The current social security contributions by employers in Norway are differentiated according to geographical zones.
Trenutni prispevki delodajalcev za socialno varnost na Norveškem se razlikujejo glede na geografske cone.
The objective of the geographical differentiation is to stimulate the less favoured regions.
Namen geografskega razlikovanja je spodbuditi regije z omejenimi možnostmi.
The current rates, i.e. the rates for 2003, are described in Table 1 below.
Tabela 1 prikazuje trenutne stopnje, to je stopnje za leto 2003.
Table 1 also contains the population coverage and the population density for each of the zones.
Tabela 1 vsebuje tudi pokritost prebivalstva in gostoto prebivalstva za vsako cono.
Social security contribution rates (percentage)
Prispevne stopnje za socialno varnost (odstotki)
of total population
celotnega prebivalstva
Population density (inhabitants per square kilometre)
Gostota prebivalstva (prebivalcev na kvadratni kilometer)
Zone 1 covers the most central and southern parts of the country.
Cona 1 zajema osrednji in južni del države.
Zone 5 covers the very northernmost part of the country.
Cona 5 zajema najsevernejši del države.
Zones 3 and 4, for which a transition period has been notified, cover municipalities in the counties of Hedmark, Oppland, Sør-Trøndelag, Nord-Trøndelag, Nordland and Troms.
Coni 3 in 4, za kateri je bilo priglašeno prehodno obdobje, zajemata občine v okrožjih Hedmark, Oppland, Sør-Trøndelag, Nord-Trøndelag, Nordland in Troms.
Population density in zones 3 and 4 are 2,8 and 6,4 inhabitants per square kilometre, respectively.
Gostota prebivalstva v coni 3 je 2,8 prebivalca na kvadratni kilometer, v coni 4 pa 6,4 prebivalca na kvadratni kilometer.
A detailed overview of the geographical zones is given in Annex 1 to this decision.
Podroben pregled geografskih con je prikazan v Prilogi 1 k tej odločbi.
The social security contribution is levied on salaries and other remuneration for work.
Prispevki za socialno varnost se odmerijo od plač in drugih plačil za delo.
This includes salaries and wages and other remuneration for work or commission (except when performed by self-employed persons), directors’ fees, etc., benefits in kind and profits derived from the repayment of expenses and social benefits replacing salaries, etc. Benefits in kind and expenses covered by the employer are, however, only included to the extent they are subject to tax withholding by the employer.
Ta zajemajo plače in druga plačila za delo ali provizijo (razen pri samozaposlenih osebah), honorarje direktorjev itd., dodatne ugodnosti in koristi, ki izhajajo iz plačila stroškov in socialnih prejemkov, ki nadomeščajo plačo, itd. Dodatne ugodnosti in stroški, ki jih pokriva delodajalec, pa so zajeti samo, če zanje delodajalec pred izplačilom odbije dohodnino.
Also included are the employers’ contributions to pension schemes and certain pension payments.
Zajeti so tudi prispevki delodajalcev v sisteme pokojninskega zavarovanja in določena pokojninska plačila.
The employers’ contributions are levied on gross remuneration.
Prispevki delodajalcev se odmerijo od bruto plačila.
Contributions are related to the municipality of residence of each employee and not the location of the enterprise.
Prispevki so vezani na občino stalnega prebivališča vsakega zaposlenega in ne na lokacijo podjetja.
By letter dated 25 March 2003 from the Ministry of Finance, the Norwegian authorities notified a transitional arrangement for zones 3 and 4 for the three-year period 2004 to 2007, and presented the following table concerning the escalation of the social security contributions rates [12]:Table 2
Norveški organi oblasti so s pismom Ministrstva za finance z dne 25. marca 2003 priglasili prehodno ureditev za coni 3 in 4 za triletno obdobje od leta 2004 do leta 2007 ter predstavili naslednjo tabelo v zvezi z naraščanjem prispevnih stopenj za socialno varnost [12]:Tabela 2
Current rates
Trenutne stopnje
Rates 2004
Stopnje v letu 2004
Rates 2005
Stopnje v letu 2005
Rates 2006
Stopnje v letu 2006
Rates 2007
Stopnje v letu 2007
No transition period is therefore notified for zone 2.
Za cono 2 torej ni priglašeno nobeno prehodno obdobje.
For employees aged 62 or more, social security contributions are proposed reduced by four percentage points, compared to the otherwise applicable rates, as presented in table 2.
Za zaposlene, starejše od 62 let, se predlaga zmanjšanje prispevkov za socialno varnost za štiri odstotne točke v primerjavi s sicer veljavnimi stopnjami, kot so predstavljene v tabeli 2 zgoraj.