13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/1

---

Corresponding values of the thresholds of Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

(2007/C 301/01)

The corresponding values in the national currencies other than euro of the thresholds of Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC as last amended by Council Directive 2006/97/EC (1), are the following:

EUR 80 000	BGN	New Bulgarian Lev	156 464
	CZK	Czech Koruna	2 274 915
	DKK	Danish Krone	596 444
	EEK	Estonian Kroon	1 251 728
	GBP	Pound Sterling	54 327
	HUF	Hungarian forint	20 587 272
	LTL	Lithuanian Litas	276 224
	LVL	Latvian Lats	55 792
	PLN	New Polish Zloty	310 171
	RON	New Romanian Leu	276 865
	SEK	Swedish Krona	742 196
	SKK	Slovak Koruna	2 906 438

EUR 133 000	BGN	New Bulgarian Lev	260 121
	CZK	Czech Koruna	3 782 045
	DKK	Danish Krone	991 589
	EEK	Estonian Kroon	2 080 998
	GBP	Pound Sterling	90 319
	HUF	Hungarian forint	34 226 339
	LTL	Lithuanian Litas	459 222
	LVL	Latvian Lats	92 755
	PLN	New Polish Zloty	515 660
	RON	New Romanian Leu	460 289
	SEK	Swedish Krona	1 233 901
	SKK	Slovak Koruna	4 831 953

EUR 206 000	BGN	New Bulgarian Lev	402 894
	CZK	Czech Koruna	5 857 905
	DKK	Danish Krone	1 535 844
	EEK	Estonian Kroon	3 223 200
	GBP	Pound Sterling	139 893
	HUF	Hungarian forint	53 012 225
	LTL	Lithuanian Litas	711 277
	LVL	Latvian Lats	143 665
	PLN	New Polish Zloty	798 691
	RON	New Romanian Leu	712 928
	SEK	Swedish Krona	1 911 155
	SKK	Slovak Koruna	7 484 078

EUR 412 000	BGN	New Bulgarian Lev	805 789
	CZK	Czech Koruna	11 715 810
	DKK	Danish Krone	3 071 689
	EEK	Estonian Kroon	6 446 399
	GBP	Pound Sterling	279 785
	HUF	Hungarian forint	106 024 450
	LTL	Lithuanian Litas	1 422 554
	LVL	Latvian Lats	287 331
	PLN	New Polish Zloty	1 597 381
	RON	New Romanian Leu	1 425 856
	SEK	Swedish Krona	3 822 309
	SKK	Slovak Koruna	14 968 156

EUR 1 000 000	BGN	New Bulgarian Lev	1 955 798
	CZK	Czech Koruna	28 436 432
	DKK	Danish Krone	7 455 555
	EEK	Estonian Kroon	15 646 600
	GBP	Pound Sterling	679 090
	HUF	Hungarian forint	257 340 898
	LTL	Lithuanian Litas	3 452 800
	LVL	Latvian Lats	697 404
	PLN	New Polish Zloty	3 877 139
	RON	New Romanian Leu	3 460 816
	SEK	Swedish Krona	9 277 450
	SKK	Slovak Koruna	36 330 475

EUR 5 150 000	BGN	New Bulgarian Lev	10 072 362
	CZK	Czech Koruna	146 447 623
	DKK	Danish Krone	38 396 109
	EEK	Estonian Kroon	80 579 990
	GBP	Pound Sterling	3 497 313
	HUF	Hungarian forint	1 325 305 627
	LTL	Lithuanian Litas	17 781 920
	LVL	Latvian Lats	3 591 633
	PLN	New Polish Zloty	19 967 267
	RON	New Romanian Leu	17 823 204
	SEK	Swedish Krona	47 778 869
	SKK	Slovak Koruna	187 101 944

---

(1)  OJ L 363, 20.12.2007, p. 107.

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/4

---

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 301/02)

Date of adoption of the decision	29.6.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 4/07
Member State	Poland
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Pomoc horyzontalna na inwestycje służące ochronie wód przed zanieczyszczeniem (PL 5/2004)
Legal basis	Art. 405 Ustawy z 27.4.2001 Prawo ochrony środowiska (Dz.U z 2006 nr 129 poz. 902, nr 169, poz. 1199 i nr 170, poz. 1217) Rozporządzenie RM z 27.4.2004 w sprawie szczegółowych warunków udzielania pomocy publicznej na inwestycje służące ochronie wód przed zanieczyszczeniem (Dz.U nr 98, poz. 992 oraz z 2005 nr 214, poz. 1794)
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Environmental protection
Form of aid	Direct grant, Interest subsidy, Debt write-off
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 50 million
Intensity	65 %
Duration	1.1.2007-31.12.2007
Economic sectors	All sectors
Name and address of the granting authority	Narodowy Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej PL-02-673 Warszawa ul. Konstruktorska 3a oraz wojewódzkie fundusze ochrony środowiska i gospodarki wodnej
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	28.6.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 7/07
Member State	Poland
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Pomoc horyzontalna na inwestycje służące dostosowaniu składowisk odpadów do wymagań ochrony środowiska (PL 17/2004)
Legal basis	Art. 405 Ustawy z 27.4.2001 Prawo ochrony środowiska. Rozporządzenie Rady Ministrow z 27.4.2004 w sprawie szczegółowych warunków udzielania pomocy publicznej na inwestycje służące dostosowaniu składowisk odpadów do wymagan ochrony środowiska
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Environmental protection
Form of aid	Direct grant, Debt write-off, Interest subsidy
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 60 million
Intensity	65 %
Duration	1.1.2007-31.12.2007
Economic sectors	All sectors
Name and address of the granting authority	Narodowy Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej PL-02-673 Warszawa ul. Konstruktorska 3a oraz wojewódzkie fundusze ochrony środowiska i gospodarki wodnej
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	8.11.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 413/07
Member State	France
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Extension du régime d'aide visant la taxe affectée «Ameublement» au secteur des industries du bois
Legal basis	Article 71 de la loi de finances rectificative pour 2003 modifié par Article 44 de la loi de finances pour 2005 Article 109 de la loi de finances pour 2007 (Loi no 2006-1666 du 21 décembre 2006 de finances pour 2007)
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Sectoral development
Form of aid	Parafiscal levy
Budget	Annual budget: EUR 5 million; Overall budget: EUR 15 million
Intensity	—
Duration	Until 31.12.2010
Economic sectors	Manufacturing industry
Name and address of the granting authority	Le Comité de développement des industries françaises de l'ameublement (CODIFA), le Centre technique du bois et de l'ameublement le Centre technique des industries de la mécanique
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	21.9.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 418/07
Member State	Austria
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Umweltförderung im Inland (UFI)
Legal basis	Umweltförderungsgesetz 1993, BGBl. 185/1993 idF BGBl. I 24/2007 Förderungsrichtlinien 2001 (in der Folge Umbenennung auf 2002) für die Umweltförderung im Inland (UFI), in der Fassung 2005, www.publicconsulting.at
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Environmental protection
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Annual budget: EUR 120,24 million
Intensity	45 %
Duration	1.1.2007-max. 31.12.2012
Economic sectors	All sectors
Name and address of the granting authority	Österreichische Regierung
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	10.9.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 459/07
Member State	Italy
Region	Trentino
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aumento degli stanziamenti del regime di aiuti per la tutela dell'ambiente N 601/06 a Trento
Legal basis	Legge provinciale n. 6/99, art. 4 — integrazione della disciplina «interventi per la promozione di misure di protezione ambientale» — trasferimento di azienda per motivi (Trento)
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Environmental protection
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 2,5 million
Intensity	40 %
Duration	Until 31.12.2007
Economic sectors	All sectors
Name and address of the granting authority	Regione Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Via Udine, 9 I-34132 Trieste
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

---

13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/8

---

Initiation of proceedings

(Case COMP/M.4513 — Arjowiggins/M-Real Zanders Reflex)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 301/03)

On 7 December 2007, the Commission decided to initiate proceedings in the above-mentioned case after finding that the notified concentration raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market. The initiation of proceedings opens a second phase investigation with regard to the notified concentration, and is without prejudice to the final decision on the case. The decision is based on Article 6(1)(c) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their observations on the proposed concentration to the Commission.

In order to be fully taken into account in the procedure, observations should reach the Commission not later than 15 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4513 — Arjowiggins/M-Real Zanders Reflex, to the following address:

Commission of the European Communities

Competition DG

Merger Registry

Rue Joseph II/Jozef II-straat 70

B-1000 Brussels

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/9

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4948 — 3i Group/Global Garden Products)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 301/04)

On 5 December 2007, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32007M4948. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/10

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

12 December 2007

(2007/C 301/05)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,4675
JPY	Japanese yen	163,41
DKK	Danish krone	7,4607
GBP	Pound sterling	0,7196
SEK	Swedish krona	9,4289
CHF	Swiss franc	1,6631
ISK	Iceland króna	89,72
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,9565
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,585274
CZK	Czech koruna	26,04
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	252,36
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6973
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,5793
RON	Romanian leu	3,524
SKK	Slovak koruna	33,18
TRY	Turkish lira	1,7213
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6644
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,486
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	11,4436
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,8663
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,1151
KRW	South Korean won	1 360,08
ZAR	South African rand	9,9
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	10,8257
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,32
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	13 648,48
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,8684
PHP	Philippine peso	60,344
RUB	Russian rouble	35,893
THB	Thai baht	44,363

---

(1)  

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/11

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 301/06)

Aid No	XR 162/07
Member State	Bulgaria
Region	Bulgaria
Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement	Насърчаване на първоначални инвестиции [Nasarchavane na parvonachalni investicii]
Legal basis	Глава трета от Закона за насърчаване на инвестициите и Глава седма от Правилника за прилагане на Закон за насърчаване на инвестициите (ЗНИ)
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Annual budget	EUR 12 million
Overall budget	EUR 72 million; Paid over: 6 years
Maximum aid intensity	50 %
	In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation
Date of implementation	1.1.2008
Duration	31.12.2013
Economic sectors	All sectors eligible for regional investment aid
	NACE D
Name and address of the granting authority	Министерство на икономиката и енергетиката България, BG-София 1052
Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme	http://www.mee.government.bg/ind/doc_invest/PRAVILNIK_ZNI_DV76_21.09.07.pdf http://www.mee.government.bg/ind/invest/docs.html?id=101135
Other information	—

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/12

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products

(2007/C 301/07)

XA Number: XA 183/07

Member State: The Netherlands

Region: West-Brabant — Oost Zeeland

Title of aid scheme: Project Stikstof op het juiste Peil

Legal basis: Provincie Noord-Brabant: Provinciale Beleidsregel subsidie Water (BsW) en de Algemene Subsidieverordening provincie Noord-Brabant (ASV)

Waterschap Brabantse Delta: Besluit van dagelijks Bestuur 18 april 2006 Aanpak diffuse bronnen.

Stuurgroep Landbouw innovatie Noord-Brabant: Besluit van de stuurgroep van 19 januari 2007

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007	EUR 48 915, of which EUR 15 000 intended for 3 holdings receiving advice on installing the variable drainage system (EUR 5 000 per holding). EUR 33 915 intended to cover the cost of advising 30 holdings on optimising grassland management (EUR 1 130,50 per holding).
2008	EUR 34 593 intended to cover the cost of advising 30 holdings on optimising grassland management (EUR 1 153,10 per holding).
2009	EUR 35 285 intended to cover the cost of advising 30 holdings on optimising grassland management (EUR 1 176,17 per holding).

The above amounts relate to individual provision of advice to the participants.

Maximum aid intensity: 100 % of the number of consultancy visits, determined beforehand, to the participating holdings

Date of implementation: Subsidy will be granted, after the consultancy visits have taken place, at the end of each calendar year. The first subsidy payment will be made at the end of 2007.

Duration of scheme or individual aid: From the end of 2007 until 31 December 2009

Objective of aid: The main objective of the project is to reduce the leaching of nitrogen from farmland. To that end, the agricultural holdings concerned (small and medium-sized cattle farms) will receive expert advice on manuring and grazing. The aid relates to consultancy services provided by third parties. In accordance with Article 15(2)(c), the services do not constitute a continuous or periodic activity, nor do they relate to the enterprise's usual operating expenditure. The consultancy services are necessary in order to reduce, beyond current environmental requirements, the leaching of nitrogen into surface water. Extra advice will have to be obtained in order to make the measures go further than current usual practice. The consultancy costs will be reimbursed only for the duration of the project.

Sector(s) concerned: The aid is applicable to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the primary production of agricultural products.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Provincie Noord-Brabant

Brabantlaan 1

5200 MC 's-Hertogenbosch

Nederland

www.brabant.nl

http://brabant.regelingenbank.eu/regeling/228-beleidsregel-water/

Waterschap Brabantse Delta

Bergschot 69-1

4801 DZ Breda

Nederland

www.brabantsedelta.nl

Stuurgroep Landbouw Innovatie Noord-Brabant

Spoorlaan 350

5000 AM Tilburg

Nederland

www.stuurgroeplib.net

http://www.brabant.nl/Werken/Land_%20en%20tuinbouw/Landbouw%20Innovatie%20Noord%20Brabant%20LIB.aspx?docindexid={92FFB00A-F8FE-4AD2-827B-849DB4A6E373

Web address: http://www.brabantsedelta.nl/werk_in_de_buurt/lopende_projecten

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 184/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Škocjan

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Podpora ohranjanju in spodbujanju razvoja kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Škocjan 2007-2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o ohranjanju in spodbujanju razvoja kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Škocjan za programsko obdobje 2007-2013 (II. Poglavje), Ur. List RS št. 24/2007

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The annual budget planned for the period 2007-2013 is EUR 46 000.

Maximum aid intensity:

1.	Investment in agricultural holdings: — up to 40 % of eligible investment costs, — The purpose of the aid is investment to restore farm features, to purchase equipment used for [or ‘for use in’] agricultural production, to invest in permanent crops and to improve farmland.

2.

Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings: — up to 40 % of eligible costs as regards investment in non-productive features and reasonable compensation, of up to EUR 1 000, for work undertaken by the farmer in the case of investment in non-productive heritage features, — up to 60 % of real costs as regards investment in productive assets on farms, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm, — additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to maintain the heritage features of buildings.

3.

Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest: — up to 25 % of actual costs, where the relocation simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erection of existing facilities, — where the relocation results in the farmer benefiting from more modern facilities, the farmer must contribute at least 60 % of the increase in the value of the facilities concerned after relocation. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, his contribution shall be at least 55 %, — where the relocation results in an increase in production capacity, the contribution from the beneficiary must be at least equal to 60 % of the expenses relating to this increase. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, his contribution shall be at least 55 %.

4.

Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums: — the amount of municipal support is the difference between the amount of co-financing of an insurance premium from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops and fruit and for insuring livestock against disease.

5.	Aid for land reparcelling: — up to 100 % of eligible costs incurred in legal and administrative procedures [or ‘of eligible legal and administrative costs’].

6.

Provision of technical support: — up to 100 % of the costs concerning the education and training of farmers, consultancy services, the organisation of forums, competitions, exhibitions and fairs, publications, catalogues and websites. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

Date of implementation: July 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on conservation and promoting agricultural and rural development in the municipality of Škocjan for the programming period 2007-2013 includes measures constituting State aid under the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358 of 16.12.2006, p. 3-22):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 6: Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector.

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: arable and livestock farming

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Škocjan

Škocjan, 67

SLO-8275 Škocjan

Web address: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200766&dhid=90868

Other information: The measure concerning the payment of insurance premiums to insure crops and fruit includes the following adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disasters: spring frost, hail, lightning, fire caused by lightning, storm and floods.

The municipality's Rules meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 relating to the measures to be adopted by the municipality and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding the grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid).

Mayor of the Municipality of Škocjan

Anton ZUPET

XA Number: XA 185/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje celotne Slovenije, ter območje avtohtonih narodnih skupnosti

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Dodeljevanje podpor za naložbe v primarno kmetijsko proizvodnjo na območju Republike Slovenije in na območju avtohtonih narodnih skupnosti

Legal basis: Splošni pogoji poslovanja Javnega sklada Republike Slovenije za regionalni razvoj in razvoj podeželja, člen 7(a) Zakona o uporabi sredstev pridobljenih iz naslova kupnine na podlagi Zakona o lastninskem preoblikovanju podjetij (Ur.l. RS, št. 45/95, 34/96, 67/01 in 47/02)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 4 000 000

2008: EUR 4 000 000

2009: EUR 4 000 000

2010: EUR 4 000 000

2011: EUR 4 000 000

2012: EUR 4 000 000

2013: EUR 4 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: Investment in agricultural holdings:

gross aid intensity will not exceed 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas, or 40 % in other areas,

maximum amount of aid granted to an individual company may not exceed EUR 400 000 over any period of three fiscal years, or EUR 500 000 if the company is located in a less-favoured area.

The purpose of the aid is investment to restore farm features, to purchase equipment to be used for agricultural production, to invest in permanent crops and to improve farmland and pastures.

Date of implementation: July 2007 (or the date on which the general conditions enter into force)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Article 24 of the general business conditions includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings.

Economic Sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: arable and livestock farming

Name and address of granting authority:

Javni sklad RS za regionalni razvoj in razvoj podeželja

Škrabčev trg 9a

SLO-1310 Ribnica

Web address: http://www.rdf-sklad.si/dl/Splosni_pogoji_JS.pdf

Other information: The Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Regional Development and the Development of Rural Areas will, in accordance with Article 7(a) of the Act regulating the use of funds arising from proceeds and the Annual Programme to establish an economic base for autochthonous national communities, publish an invitation to tender under which funds will be granted in the form of loans and grants for primary agricultural production in areas home to Italian and Hungarian national communities.

Throughout the Republic of Slovenia, aid will be granted in the form of loans.

The General Business Conditions of the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Regional Development and the Development of Rural Areas meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 relating to the measures to be implemented by the Fund and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid).

Signature of person responsible

Velislav ŽVIPELJ

Chairman of the Management Board

XA Number: XA 186/07

Member State: Slovak Republic

Region: Slovenská republika

Title of aid scheme: Schéma štátnej pomoci na účasť na celonárodnej poľnohospodárskej výstave v roku 2007

Legal basis: Article 15(1), (2)(d), (3) and (4) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006).

Zákon č. 523/2004 Z. z. o rozpočtových pravidlách verejnej správy a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov v znení neskorších predpisov

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: The planned expenditure is provided for in the budget chapter of the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture, in Programme 0920, sub-programme 02, component 02 — State aid to the amount of SKK 2 million.

Maximum aid intensity: The aid takes the form of discounts to the agricultural fair up to 100 % of the value of the eligible costs. Aid may not be provided in the form of a direct cash payment to the aid beneficiary.

Date of implementation: August 2007

Duration of aid scheme or individual aid award: Until the end of 2007

Objective: The objective of the aid is to encourage the participation of SMEs in the national agricultural fair in 2007.

Economic sectors: Agricultural primary production, without restriction

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministerstvo pôdohospodárstva SR

Dobrovičova 12

SK-812 66 Bratislava

Tel.: (421) 592 66 233

Web address: www.mpsr.sk, Aktuality

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 187/07

Member State: Republic of Ireland

Region: Entire Member State

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (ITBA) — Training, Promotion & Dissemination of Information Scheme

Legal basis: National Development Plan 2007-2013

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 0,6 million in respect of eligible costs incurred over the period 2007-2013

Maximum aid intensity: 80 % of eligible costs

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: End December 2007

Objective of aid: The aim of this program is to support quality thoroughbred horse production through training courses and generic promotional activities in the areas of equine and veterinary health, quality improvement, husbandry, nutrition, stud management and quality breeding, and through participation at fairs and exhibitions.

This aid is provided in accordance with Article 15(2)(a) and Article 15(2)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 — Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector.

Sector(s) concerned: Equine

Name and address of the granting authority:

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,

Agriculture House

Kildare Street

Dublin 2

Ireland

Web address: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/equine_ndp/

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/16

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JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 14 March 2007

in Case E-1/06

EFTA Surveillance Authority v The Kingdom of Norway

(National legislation transferring the operation of gaming machines to a State-owned monopoly — Restriction of freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services — Justification — Legitimate aims — Consistency of national legislation — Necessity of national legislation)

(2007/C 301/08)

In Case E-1/06, EFTA Surveillance Authority v The Kingdom of Norway — Application for a declaration that the Kingdom of Norway has infringed Articles 31 and 36 of the EEA Agreement by adopting Act No 90 of 29 August 2003 relating to Amendments to the Gaming and Lottery Legislation (Lov av 29. august 2003 nr. 90 om endringer i pengespill- og lotterilovgivningen) which introduced a monopoly for the State-owned undertaking Norsk Tipping AS to operate gaming machines in Norway, the Court, composed of Carl Baudenbacher, President and Judge-Rapporteur, Henrik Bull and Thorgeir Örlygsson, Judges, gave judgment on 14 March 2007, the operative part of which is as follows:

1.	Dismisses the application.

2.	Orders the EFTA Surveillance Authority to pay the costs of the proceedings.

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/17

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JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 30 May 2007

in Case E-3/06

Ladbrokes Ltd and the Government of Norway, Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs; The Government of Norway, Ministry of Agriculture and Food

(Right of establishment — Freedom to provide services — National restrictions on gambling and betting — Legitimate aims — Suitability/consistency — Necessity — Provision and marketing of gaming services from abroad)

(2007/C 301/09)

In Case E-3/06 between Ladbrokes Ltd and the Government of Norway, represented by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food — Request to the Court by Oslo tingrett (Oslo District Court), concerning the interpretation of the rules on the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services in the EEA, the Court, composed of Carl Baudenbacher, President and Judge-Rapporteur, Henrik Bull and Thorgeir Örlygsson, Judges, gave judgment on 30 May 2007, the operative part of which is as follows:

1.-3.

In order not to be precluded by Articles 31 and 36 EEA, national legislation which establishes (1) that certain forms of gaming may only be offered by a State-owned gaming company which channels its profits to cultural and sports purposes, (2) that a licence to offer horserace betting may only be granted to non-profit organisations or companies whose aim is to support horse breeding, or (3) that licences to offer certain forms of gaming may only be granted to non-profit organisations and associations with a humanitarian or socially beneficial purpose, must pursue legitimate aims such as fighting gambling addiction and maintaining public order. The legitimate aims must be pursued in a suitable and consistent manner, and the legislation must not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve the aims in question.

4.

Under EEA law, the financing of humanitarian and socially beneficial purposes may not constitute the real justification for legislation such as the legislation at issue, but only a beneficial consequence which is incidental, in the meaning that it is accessory. Preventing private profit as an aim in itself may, on the other hand, in principle justify such legislation. However, the national gaming policy must then reflect the moral concerns underlying this aim.

5.

Under Article 36 EEA, to the extent the national court concludes that the exclusive rights systems established under the Gaming Act and the Totalisator Act constitute lawful restrictions, national authorities have the right to ban the provision and marketing of games of chance from abroad, no matter whether or not these are lawful in their State of origin. The same applies to the extent the national court concludes that the exclusion of commercial operators under the Lottery Act constitutes a lawful restriction on the free movement of services. To the extent the national court comes to the conclusion that the bans implied in the three Acts on commercial operators organising any form of game of chance are not justified, the answer must be that a licence may still be required in view of possible differences in the level of protection throughout the EEA. However, national measures must not be excessive in relation to the aims pursued. They have to be non-discriminatory and must take into account the requirements already fulfilled by the provider of the services for the pursuit of activities in the home State.

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/18

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JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 26 June 2007

in Case E-2/06

EFTA Surveillance Authority v The Kingdom of Norway

(Conditions for concession for acquisition of hydropower resources — Scope of the EEA Agreement — Free movement of capital— Right of establishment — Indirect discrimination — Public ownership — Security of energy supply — Environmental protection — Proportionality)

(2007/C 301/10)

In Case E-2/06, EFTA Surveillance Authority v The Kingdom of Norway — Application for a declaration that the Kingdom of Norway has infringed Articles 31 and 40 of the EEA Agreement by maintaining in force measures as laid down in Act No 16 of 14 December 1917 relating to acquisition of Waterfalls, Mines and Other Real Property etc. (lov 14. desember 1917 nr. 16 om erverv av vannfall, bergverk og annen fast eiendom m.v.), which grant to private undertakings and all undertakings from other Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement a time-limited concession for the acquisition of waterfalls for energy production, with an obligation to surrender all installations to the Norwegian State without compensation at the expiry of the concession period, whereas Norwegian public undertakings benefit from concessions for an unlimited period of time, the Court, composed of Carl Baudenbacher, President, Henrik Bull, Judge, and Thorgeir Örlygsson, Judge-Rapporteur, gave judgment on 26 June 2007, the operative part of which is as follows:

1.

Declares that the Kingdom of Norway has infringed Articles 31 and 40 of the EEA Agreement by maintaining in force measures as laid down in Act No 16 of 14 December 1917 relating to acquisition of Waterfalls, Mines and Other Real Property etc., which grant to private undertakings and all undertakings from other Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement, a time-limited concession for the acquisition of waterfalls for energy production, with an obligation to surrender all installations to the Norwegian State without compensation at the expiry of the concession period, whereas Norwegian public undertakings benefit from concessions for an unlimited period of time.

2.	Orders the Kingdom of Norway to pay the costs of the proceedings.

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/19

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Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Hæstiréttur Íslands dated 8 May 2007 in the case of HOB vín ehf v Faxaflóahafnir sf.

(Case E-6/07)

(2007/C 301/11)

A request has been made to the EFTA Court by a letter of 8 May 2007 from Hæstiréttur Íslands (the Supreme Court of Iceland), which was received at the Court Registry on 21 May 2007, for an Advisory Opinion in the case of HOB vín ehf v Faxaflóahafnir sf., on the following questions:

1.

Does the levying of charges by a partnership owned by several municipalities, in connection with the import of alcoholic beverages from other EEA States through a port owned by the partnership, fall under the provisions of Articles 10, 11 or 14 of the EEA Agreement? The question is based on the premise that the operation of the port is not regarded in law as a public operation; the levying of the charges is based on an authorisation in law and the charges are to meet the cost of the services provided, together with a share of the joint operation of the port.

2.

If the answer to the first question is such that any of the abovementioned provisions of the EEA Agreement apply, does that provision preclude the levying of charges of the type referred to in the first question? The question is based on the premise that higher charges are imposed in connection with the import of alcoholic beverages than of non-alcoholic beverages, and that in Iceland alcoholic beverages are generally imported, inter alia from other EEA States.

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13.12.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 301/20

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Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Stavanger tingrett dated 25 May 2007 in the case of Seabrokers AS v Den Norske Stat v/Skattedirektoratet

(Case E-7/07)

(2007/C 301/12)

A request has been made to the EFTA Court by a letter of 25 May 2007 from Stavanger tingrett (Stavanger District Court), which was received at the Court Registry on 30 May 2007, for an Advisory Opinion in the case of Seabrokers AS v Den Norske Stat v/Skattedirektoratet, on the following questions:

1.	Is it contrary to Article 4, 31 or 40 of the EEA Agreement to attribute, according to the principle of net income taxation, debt interest to the income abroad when calculating the maximum credit allowance?

2.	Is it contrary to Article 4, 31 or 40 of the EEA Agreement to attribute, according to the principle of net income taxation, group contributions to the income abroad when calculating the maximum credit allowance?

3.	Will the answer to question 1 and/or 2 be the same if the debt interest and/or the group contributions can only be linked to the business in Norway?

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