1 State Aid Weekly e-News Nr. 21/08, 13.06.2008 06.06.2008 - 12.06.2008 Highlights Conference on 21 November 2008: "The new approach to State aids – recent reforms under the State Aid Action Plan and next steps" - Brussels This full-day event will be chaired by the Commissioner for competition, Ms. Neelie Kroes. The Commission will present the state of play regarding the implementation of the reform of State Aid policy and the next steps. State aid policy will be analysed in a broader context with high level participants from the European institutions, the Member States, industry and academia. Is aid making its full contribution to the Lisbon objectives? What is the role of State aid control in a globalized context? How can it help in tackling the numerous challenges that climate change poses? A detailed agenda and further information will be made available on DG Competition website and through the State Aid Weekly e-News . Please note that the number of participants is limited to 400 and registration is done on a first come first served basis. For inquiries, please contact: [email protected]For further information on the State aid reform, please visit: DG Competition's "State aid reform" web page State aid: Commission launches in-depth investigation into €300 million loan granted to Alitalia by the Italian State The European Commission has decided to launch an in-depth investigation to ascertain whether the loan granted to Alitalia by the Italian State is compatible with the Community rules on state aid. At this stage, the Commission believes that the loan - which the Italian company has the option of incorporating into its equity capital - could constitute aid that is incompatible with the common market. The investigation will give all the interested parties the opportunity to submit their comments. Read more For further information, click here State aid for broadcasting Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy Medienforum Cologne, 9th June 2008 To read the full speech, click here Invitation to tender: External consultant in the shipbuilding sector (COMP/2008/ E3/008) Deadline for submitting tenders: 14.07.2008 For further information, click here Publication in the Official Journal of the proposal for appropriate measures in case E 8/2006 – State funding for Flemish public broadcaster VRT To read the publication, see section V. Other types of decisions of the Newsletter
Transcript
1
SSttaattee AAiidd WWeeeekkllyy ee--NNeewwss Nr. 21/08, 13.06.2008 06.06.2008 - 12.06.2008
HHiigghhlliigghhttss Conference on 21 November 2008: "The new approach to State aids – recent reforms under the State Aid Action Plan and next steps" - Brussels
This full-day event will be chaired by the Commissioner for competition, Ms. Neelie Kroes. The Commission will present the state of play regarding the implementation of the reform of State Aid policy and the next steps. State aid policy will be analysed in a broader context with high level participants from the European institutions, the Member States, industry and academia. Is aid making its full contribution to the Lisbon objectives? What is the role of State aid control in a globalized context? How can it help in tackling the numerous challenges that climate change poses? A detailed agenda and further information will be made available on DG Competition website and through the State Aid Weekly e-News. Please note that
the number of participants is limited to 400 and registration is done on a first come first served basis. For inquiries, please contact: [email protected] For further information on the State aid reform, please visit: DG Competition's "State aid reform" web page State aid: Commission launches in-depth investigation into €300 million loan granted to Alitalia by the Italian State The European Commission has decided to launch an in-depth investigation to ascertain whether the loan granted to Alitalia by the Italian State is compatible with the Community rules on state aid. At this stage, the Commission believes that the loan - which the Italian company has the option of incorporating into its equity capital - could constitute aid that is incompatible with the common market. The investigation will give all the interested parties the opportunity to submit their comments. Read more For further information, click here State aid for broadcasting Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy Medienforum Cologne, 9th June 2008 To read the full speech, click here Invitation to tender: External consultant in the shipbuilding sector (COMP/2008/ E3/008) Deadline for submitting tenders: 14.07.2008 For further information, click here Publication in the Official Journal of the proposal for appropriate measures in case E 8/2006 – State funding for Flemish public broadcaster VRT To read the publication, see section V. Other types of decisions of the Newsletter
Results of the consultation: Revision of the Communication on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting To read received comments, click here Closed public consultations: DG Competition
DG Agriculture DG Transport and Energy DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
IIII.. NNeeww lleeggiissllaattiioonn
-- nnoonnee--
IIIIII.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo ooppeenn ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn 11.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttaakkeenn bbyy tthhee CCoommmmiissssiioonn Country Title Case
number Objective Decision date
DG Transport and Energy cases
Italy Prêt de 300 millions d'euros à Alitalia
Press release
Memo
C 26/2008 (ex NN 31/2008)
11.06.2008
22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppeennddiinngg OOJJ ppuubblliiccaattiioonn Click here to see the full list 33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ ffrroomm 1122..0055..22000088 ttoo 1122..0066..22000088 –– FFoorrmmaall ccoommmmeennttss ppeerriioodd rruunnnniinngg * Where the last day of the public comments period falls on a public holiday in a Member State, the deadline for comments of parties residing in that Member State ends on the following working day.
France Aide destinée à compenser les pertes des producteurs de bannes de la Martinique et de la Guadeloupe à la suite du passage du cyclone Dean
N 172/2008 Compensation of damages caused by natural disaster
19.05.2008
France Aides aux investissements pour l'amélioration du stockage des grains à la ferme (Bourgogne)
N 183/2008 Investment in agricultural holdings
19.05.2008
Lithuania Aid for reimbursement of credit interest (except for the purchase of land)
N 755/2007 Investment aid 30.04.2008
DG Transport and Energy cases
Czech Republic
Programme de modernisation - Rail N 495/2007 30.04.2008
22..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn Country Title/Links to documents* Case
number Objective Decision date
DG Competition cases
Belgium Training aid to Volvo Cars in Gent
Positive decision
C 35/2007 (ex N 256/2007)
Training aid 11.03.2008
33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ 33..11.. NNoo oobbjjeeccttiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss * Decisions not to raise objections are frequently grouped together in one single document for publication in the Official Journal. Since the link can only be made to the top of the first page of the document, you may have to scroll down in the document to find a particular case.
Country Title/ Links to documents* Case
number Objective Decision date
DG Competition cases
Denmark Changes to financing scheme for the export of ships
OJ C 145 of 11.06.2008, p. 4 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
N 26/2008 Sectoral development aid
10.03.2008
Estonia Individual aid to company AS Sillamäe SEJ for reconstruction of district heating infrastructure
OJ C 145 of 11.06.2008, p. 2 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
N 707/2007 Energy saving aid
18.03.2008
Germany Risk capital fund Niedersachsen
OJ C 145 of 11.06.2008, p. 1 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
VV.. OOtthheerr ttyyppeess ooff ddeecciissiioonnss Country Title/ Links to documents Case
number Objective Decision date
DG Competition cases Belgium
State funding for Flemish public broadcaster VRT
Proposal for appropriate measures
OJ C 143 of 10.06.2008, p. 7 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
Corrigendum:
OJ C 146 of 12.06.2008, p. 36 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
E 8/2006 Services of general economic interest
27.02.2008
VVII.. BBlloocckk eexxeemmppttiioonnss IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn sshheeeettss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ * Block exemption information sheets are frequently grouped together in one single document for publication in the Official Journal. Since the link can only be made to the top of the first page of the document, you may have to scroll down in the document to find a particular case.
Country Title/Links to documents* Case
number Objective
Belgium Vlaams Interprovinciaal Verbond van Fokkers van Neerhofdieren vzw
OJ C 140 of 06.06.2008, p. 17 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
XA 87/2008 Agriculture aid
Belgium Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering tot toekenning van strategische investerings- en opleidingssteun aan ondernemingen in het Vlaamse Gewest
OJ C 145 of 11.06.2008, p. 10 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
XT 54/2008 Training aid
Germany Landesinvestitionsförderprogramm LIP 2008
OJ C 140 of 06.06.2008, p. 18 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
Ireland Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) – 2007 Progeny test program
OJ C 141 of 07.06.2008, p. 22 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
XA 263/2007 Agriculture aid
Italy Aiuti destinati alle imprese operanti nel territorio della regione appartenenti ai settori esposti alla concorrenza internazionale e che sono rivolti alla prima formazione, alla riqualificazione ed aggiornamento dei loro addetti, con particolare riguardo alle fasce deboli
OJ C 145 of 11.06.2008, p. 10 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
11.. CCoouurrtt ooff FFiirrsstt IInnssttaannccee Court case Parties Country Type of act Date Related case
T-128/08
OJ 142 of 07.06.2008, p. 30 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
CBI and Abisp v Commission
Belgium Action 25.03.20008 Complaint
22.. CCoouurrtt ooff JJuussttiiccee Court case Parties Country Type of act Date Related case
C-214/07 Commission v France France Opinion 12.06.2008 C 57/2002
CR 57/2002
C-129/08
OJ 142 of 07.06.2008, p. 17 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
C. Cloet and J. Cloet v CVBA Westvlaamse Intercommunale voor Economische Expansie, Huisvestingsbeleid en Technische Bijstand
Belgium Reference for a preliminary ruling
31.03.2008
VVIIIIII.. EEuurrooppeeaann EEccoonnoommiicc AArreeaa Based on the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), the EFTA States participating in the EEA have entrusted the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court with similar decision making powers to that of the Commission and the European Court of Justice, respectively, in the field of state aid for the EFTA States.
Country Title/Links to documents Case number Objective Decision
date Decision to open formal investigation – formal comments period running * Where the last day of the public comments period falls on a public holiday in a Member State, the deadline for comments of parties residing in that Member State ends on the following working day.
Norway Decision to open formal investigation procedure with regard to the tax exemption from the Norwegian CO2 tax on gas and LPG for the use of gas for purposes other than heating of buildings
OJ C 146 of 12.06.2008, p. 2 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
EEA Supplement No 32 of 12.06.2008 is no
Full decision in English: 597/07/COL
Deadline for comments*: 14.07.2008
61755 Environmental aid
23.11.2007
Norway Decision to open formal investigation in relation to the sale by the Municipality of Time of properties in Time
OJ C 138 of 05.06.2008, p. 30 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv
EEA Supplement No 31 of 05.06.2008 is no
Full decision in English: 717/07/COL
Deadline for comments*: 07.07.2008
63911 Sale of land and buildings
12.12.2007
Newly adopted decisions
Norway Decision to open formal investigation procedure regarding a regional aid scheme to grant support for the transport of timber in the counties of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark
press release
63562 Regional aid 11.06.2008
Norway Decision to authorise an alteration to the Norwegian tax refund scheme for seafarers aboard vessels registered in the Norwegian Ordinary Shipping Register (NOR).
IIXX.. AAddddiittiioonnaall ppooiinnttss ooff iinntteerreesstt Being open about standards Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy OpenForum Europe - Breakfast seminar Brussels, 10th June 2008 To read the full speech, click here EEvveennttss State Aid Master Class and Case Analysis The Master Class is intended for public officials who already have a good understanding of state aid issues but want to improve their knowledge and skills on how to determine whether a public measure contains state aid and how to design state aid schemes that are compatible with EU rules. The Master Class is based on analysis of recent important Commission decisions and Court rulings. Maastricht, 10 – 11 July 2008 For further information, click here Conference: The new approach to State aids – recent reforms under the State Aid Action Plan and next steps Brussels, 21st November 2008 For further information, click here IInnvviittaattiioonnss ttoo tteennddeerr Invitation to tender: External consultant in the shipbuilding sector (COMP/2008/ E3/008) Deadline for submitting tenders: 14.07.2008 For further information, click here MMiisscceellllaanneeaa Commission calls for swift adoption of energy and climate policies as best coordinated response to rising oil prices. The European Commission has today debated the policy responses needed to mitigate the effects of rising global fuel prices. Based on today's conclusions, President Barroso will present a communication, to be adopted in good time to be discussed at the European Council on 19-20 June in conjunction with the recent Commission communication on rising food prices. The College of Commissioners analysed both structural and cyclical factors and proposes a co-ordinated policy response, including immediate, medium and long-term policy options. Based on Commission proposals made over the last two years, these include stepping up the drive for energy efficiency in business and private households, a commitment to make proposals on the transparency of commercial oil stocks by the end of the year and support for the organisation of a global fuel summit between main producing and consuming countries to discuss a wide range of issues related to the balanced functioning of oil markets. The Commission agreed that member States take short term initiatives to support the most deprived sectors of the population. These measures should fit into a co-ordinated strategy and should avoid distorting effects on the internal market or on fiscal and monetary policy. Read more
