		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 310

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 48 8 December 2005

Notice No	Contents	page
	I Information
	Council
2005/C 310/1	Notification by Iceland concerning visa reciprocity	1

2005/C 310/2	Notification by the Kingdom of Norway concerning visa reciprocity	2

	Commission
2005/C 310/3	Euro exchange rates	3

2005/C 310/4	Values of thresholds under the directives on public procurement applicable from 1 January 2006	4

2005/C 310/5	Publication of decisions by Member States to grant or revoke operating licenses pursuant to Article 13(4) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 on licensing of air carriers ( 1 )	7

2005/C 310/6	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4036 — TPG IV/Apax/Q-Telecommunications) ( 1 )	8

2005/C 310/7	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4060 — Endesa Europa/Zedo) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	9

2005/C 310/8	Commission communication concerning the prolongation of the Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development ( 1 )	10

2005/C 310/9	Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections	11

2005/C 310/0	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3983 — Polestar/Prisa/Ibersuizas/Iberian Capital/Dedalo) ( 1 )	16

	EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
	EFTA Surveillance Authority
2005/C 310/1	Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement — EFTA Surveillance Authority decision to propose appropriate measures in relation to State Guarantee in favour of Liechtensteinische Landesbank. The proposal has been accepted by the Principality of Liechtenstein	17


	(1) Text with EEA relevance

I Information

Council

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/1

Notification by Iceland concerning visa reciprocity (1)

(2005/C 310/01)

I refer to my letter to you today, where I informed you that Iceland accepts the content of a Council Regulation (EC) No 851/2005, amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 as regards the reciprocity mechanism, following your notification to Iceland of the adoption by the Council of the referred act, in accordance with Article 8(2a) of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the latter's association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.

Please accept the following notification from Iceland.

In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 851/2005 of 2 June 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001, I wish to inform you that nationals of the Republic of Iceland are subject to a visa requirement in the following third countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 539/2001:

—

Australia

—	Brunei Darussalam

—

Nicaragua

—

Panama

—

Paraguay.

(1) This notification is published in conformity with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 851/2005 of 2 June 2005 (OJ L 141, 4.6.2005, p. 3) amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of 15 March 2001 (OJ L 81, 21.3.2001, p. 1).

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/2

Notification by the Kingdom of Norway concerning visa reciprocity (1)

(2005/C 310/02)

In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 851/2005 of 2 June 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001, I wish to inform you that as of today nationals of the Kingdom of Norway are subject to a visa requirement in the following third countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 539/2001:

—

Australia

—	Brunei (visa required for stays exceeding 14 days)

—	Panama (visa issued free of charge on arrival).

Commission

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/3

Euro exchange rates (1)

7 December 2005

(2005/C 310/03)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,1710
JPY	Japanese yen	141,68
DKK	Danish krone	7,4493
GBP	Pound sterling	0,67690
SEK	Swedish krona	9,3949
CHF	Swiss franc	1,5401
ISK	Iceland króna	76,04
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,9260
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9556
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,5733
CZK	Czech koruna	28,986
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	253,45
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6971
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,8384
RON	Romanian leu	3,6536
SIT	Slovenian tolar	239,51
SKK	Slovak koruna	37,820
TRY	Turkish lira	1,5898
AUD	Australian dollar	1,5686
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,3626
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	9,0806
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,6585
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,9757
KRW	South Korean won	1 211,52
ZAR	South African rand	7,3918
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	9,4583
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,3750
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	11 516,79
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,426
PHP	Philippine peso	63,222
RUB	Russian rouble	33,9380
THB	Thai baht	48,384

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/4

Values of thresholds under the directives on public procurement applicable from 1 January 2006

(2005/C 310/04)

The values of the thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2006 for public supplies contracts pursuant to Council Directive 93/36/EEC (1) and to the Agreement on Government Procurement (hereinafter referred to as the GPA), as concluded by the Council on behalf of the Community (Decision 94/800/EC of 22 December 1994 (2)), are as follows:

EUR Euro	200 000	750 000	137 234	211 129
SDR Special Drawing Right	—	—	130 000	200 000
CYP Cyprus Pound	116 225	435 844	79 750	122 693
CZK Czech Koruna	6 263 288	23 487 331	4 297 677	6 611 811
DKK Danish Krone	1 488 344	5 581 290	1 021 256	1 571 163
EEK Estonian Kroon	3 129 320	11 734 950	2 147 244	3 303 452
GBP Sterling Pound	136 844	513 166	93 898	144 459
HUF Hungarian forint	50 252 516	188 446 933	34 481 741	53 048 832
LTL Lithuanian Litas	690 563	2 589 612	473 843	728 990
LVL Latvian Lats	134 553	504 572	92 326	142 040
MTL Malta lira	85 748	321 554	58 837	90 519
PLN New Polish Zloty	877 404	3 290 265	602 048	926 227
SEK Swedish Krona	1 826 820	6 850 575	1 253 508	1 928 474
SIT Slovenian Tolar	47 745 432	179 045 370	32 761 457	50 402 241
SKK Slovak Koruna	7 955 203	29 832 010	5 458 617	8 397 872

The values of the thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2006 for works contracts pursuant to Council Directive 93/37/EEC (3) and to the GPA, as concluded by the Council on behalf of the Community (Decision 94/800/EC), are as follows:

EUR Euro	1 000 000	5 000 000	5 278 227
SDR Special Drawing Right	-		5 000 000
CYP Cyprus Pound	581 126	2 905 628	3 067 313
CZK Czech Koruna	31 316 442	156 582 209	165 295 275
DKK Danish Krone	7 441 721	37 208 603	39 279 087
EEK Estonian Kroon	15 646 600	78 233 000	82 586 300
GBP Sterling Pound	684 221	3 421 105	3 611 474
HUF Hungarian forint	251 262 578	1 256 312 888	1 326 220 810
LTL Lithuanian Litas	3 452 816	17 264 078	18 224 744
LVL Latvian Lats	672 763	3 363 816	3 550 996
MTL Malta lira	428 739	2 143 694	2 262 980
PLN New Polish Zloty	4 387 020	21 935 101	23 155 686
SEK Swedish Krona	9 134 099	45 670 497	48 211 846
SIT Slovenian Tolar	238 727 159	1 193 635 797	1 260 056 034
SKK Slovak Koruna	39 776 014	198 880 068	209 946 811

The values of the thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2006 for public service contracts pursuant to Council Directive 92/50/EEC (4) and to the GPA, as concluded by the Council on behalf of the Community (Decision 94/800/EC), are as follows:

EUR Euro	80 000	750 000	200 000	137 234	211 129
SDR Special Drawing Right	-	-	-	130 000	200 000
CYP Cyprus Pound	46 490	435 844	116 225	79 750	122 693
CZK Czech Koruna	2 505 315	23 487 331	6 263 288	4 297 677	6 611 811
DKK Danish Krone	595 338	5 581 290	1 488 344	1 021 256	1 571 163
EEK Estonian Kroon	1 251 728	11 734 950	3 129 320	2 147 244	3 303 452
GBP Sterling Pound	54 738	513 166	136 844	93 898	144 459
HUF Hungarian forint	20 101 006	188 446 933	50 252 516	34 481 741	53 048 832
LTL Lithuanian Litas	276 225	2 589 612	690 563	473 843	728 990
LVL Latvian Lats	53 821	504 572	134 553	92 326	142 040
MTL Malta lira	34 299	321 554	85 748	58 837	90 519
PLN New Polish Zloty	350 962	3 290 265	877 404	602 048	926 227
SEK Swedish Krona	730 728	6 850 575	1 826 820	1 253 508	1 928 474
SIT Slovenian Tolar	19 098 173	179 045 370	47 745 432	32 761 457	50 402 241
SKK Slovak Koruna	3 182 081	29 832 010	7 955 203	5 458 617	8 397 872

The values of the thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2006 for supplies contracts and service contracts and for works contracts pursuant to Council Directive 93/38/EEC (5) and to the GPA, as concluded by the Council on behalf of the Community (Decision 94/800/EC), are as follows:

EUR Euro	400 000	600 000	750 000	1 000 000	5 000 000
SDR Special Drawing Right	-	-	-	-
CYP Cyprus Pound	232 450	348 675	435 844	581 126	2 905 628
CZK Czech Koruna	12 526 577	18 789 865	23 487 331	31 316 442	156 582 209
DKK Danish Krone	2 976 688	4 465 032	5 581 290	7 441 721	37 208 603
EEK Estonian Kroon	6 258 640	9 387 960	11 734 950	15 646 600	78 233 000
GBP Sterling Pound	273 688	410 533	513 166	684 221	3 421 105
HUF Hungarian forint	100 505 031	150 757 547	188 446 933	251 262 578	1 256 312 888
LTL Lithuanian Litas	1 381 126	2 071 689	2 589 612	3 452 816	17 264 078
LVL Latvian Lats	269 105	403 658	504 572	672 763	3 363 816
MTL Malta lira	171 496	257 243	321 554	428 739	2 143 694
PLN New Polish Zloty	1 754 808	2 632 212	3 290 265	4 387 020	21 935 101
SEK Swedish Krona	3 653 640	5 480 460	6 850 575	9 134 099	45 670 497
SIT Slovenian Tolar	95 490 864	143 236 296	179 045 370	238 727 159	1 193 635 797
SKK Slovak Koruna	15 910 405	23 865 608	29 832 010	39 776 014	198 880 068

EUR Euro	422 258	5 278 227
SDR Special Drawing Right	400 000	5 000 000
CYP Cyprus Pound	245 385	3 067 313
CZK Czech Koruna	13 223 622	165 295 275
DKK Danish Krone	3 142 327	39 279 087
EEK Estonian Kroon	6 606 904	82 586 300
GBP Sterling Pound	288 918	3 611 474
HUF Hungarian forint	106 097 665	1 326 220 810
LTL Lithuanian Litas	1 457 979	18 224 744
LVL Latvian Lats	284 080	3 550 996
MTL Malta lira	181 038	2 262 980
PLN New Polish Zloty	1 852 455	23 155 686
SEK Swedish Krona	3 856 948	48 211 846
SIT Slovenian Tolar	100 804 483	1 260 056 034
SKK Slovak Koruna	16 795 745	209 946 811

The value of thresholds in national currencies will not change during the reference period.

(1) OJ L 199, 9.8.1993, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 336, 23.12.1994, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 199, 9.8.1993, p. 54.

(4) OJ L 209, 24.7. 1992, p. 1.

(5) OJ L 199, 9.8.1993, p. 84.

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/7

Publication of decisions by Member States to grant or revoke operating licenses pursuant to Article 13(4) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 on licensing of air carriers (1) (2)

(2005/C 310/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

GREECE

Operating licences revoked

Category A: Operating licences without the restriction of Article 5(7)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92

Name of air carrier

Address of air carrier

Permitted to carry

Decision effective since

GEE BEE AIR

Vouliagmenis Street 602A

GR-16452 Argyroupolis

passengers, mail, cargo

21.11.2005

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992, p. 1.

(2) Communicated to the European Commission before 31.8.2005.

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/8

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4036 — TPG IV/Apax/Q-Telecommunications)

(2005/C 310/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 1 December 2005 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings TPG Advisors IV Inc. (‘TPG IV’, USA) and Apax Partners Holdings Ltd (‘Apax’, UK) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the whole of the undertaking Q-Telecommunications S.A. (‘Q-Telecommunications’, Greece) by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for TPG IV: private equity fund;

—	for Apax: pan-European investment fund;

—	for Q-Telecommunications: retail mobile telephony services in Greece.

3.	On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4036 — TPG/Apax/Q-Telecommunications, to the following address:

European Commission

Competition DG

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/9

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4060 — Endesa Europa/Zedo)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2005/C 310/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 30 November 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Endesa Europa S.L., belonging to the group Endesa S.A. (‘Endesa’, Spain), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Zespół Elektrowni Dolna Odra Spółka Akcyjna in Nowe Czarnowo S.A. (‘Zedo’, Poland) by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for undertaking Endesa: Spanish electricity operator also active in the gas sector. Endesa is also active in the electricity sector in other European countries, especially Portugal, France, Italy and Germany and to limited extent in the Netherlands and Poland as well as in South America and North Africa;

—	for undertaking Zedo: Polish state owned company mainly active in the electricity and district heat markets in Poland.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4060 — Endesa Europa/Zedo, to the following address:

European Commission

Competition DG

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/10

Commission communication concerning the prolongation of the Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development

(2005/C 310/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

The Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development (1) will expire on 31 December 2005 (2).

On 7 June 2005, the Commission adopted the State Aid Action Plan (3), where it decided ‘to consider if the scope of the Framework for Research and Development should be extended to cover types of aid in favour of certain innovative activities, not already covered by existing guidelines or regulations thereby creating a Framework for R&D and Innovation’ (4).

On 21 September 2005, the Commission adopted a ‘Communication on Innovation’. This communication is a consultative document, inviting all interested parties to submit comments by 21 November 2005, which will then be carefully assessed by the Commission. It follows that it will not be possible to have a common framework for R&D and Innovation in place before the end of 2005.

Accordingly, the Commission has now decided to apply the existing R&D-framework until the entry into force of such a document, at the most until 31 December 2006.

The Commission wants to clarify that in addition to the consultation on the ‘Communication on Innovation’ mentioned above, all interested parties will also receive an opportunity to submit comments with regard to the revision of the R&D-rules.

(1) OJ C 45 of 17.2.1996, p. 5, as amended by the Commission communication amending the Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development, OJ C 48 of 13.2.1998, p. 2.

(2) OJ C 111, 8.5.2002, p. 3.

(3) COM/2005/107/final.

(4) Paragraph 28 of the State Aid Action Plan.

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/11

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2005/C 310/09)

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The United Kingdom (England and Northern Ireland)

No of the aid: NN 48/2005 (ex N191/2005)

Title: Organic Farming Scheme

Alteration notification to Aid No N 628/1999

Objective: Aid for the provision of technical support in the form of lump sum payments which will partly cover the professional consultants' costs

Legal basis: Regulation 8 of the Organic Farming (England Rural Development Programme) Regulations 2001 and Regulation 8 of the Organic Farming (England Rural Development Programme) Regulations 2003, which have replaced Regulations 2001. Enforcement of the conditions of the aid is provided by the above-referred Regulations, as read jointly with Regulations 4 and 6 of the England Rural Development Programme Enforcement Regulations 2000

Budget:

—	Annual: GBP 820 000 (approximately EUR 1 211 000)

—	Total: GBP 988 000 (approximately EUR 1 459 000)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 % of eligible costs

Duration: February 2005 — February 2007

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: United Kingdom (Scotland)

Aid No: N 439/2005

Title: Extension to the Scottish Farm Business Advice and Skills Service

Objective: The approved Scottish Farm Business Advice and Skills Service scheme (State aid scheme No N 363/2003) will be prolonged by three years

Legal basis: Non-statutory scheme

Budget: Increase of the budget: GBP 7,5 million (EUR 11 million)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 % of the costs

Duration: Prolongation from 2006/07 to 2008/09

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy (Marche)

Aid No: N 440/2005

Title: Assistance in agricultural areas affected by natural disasters (excessive snow in the provinces of Pesaro, Urbino, Macerata, Fermo and Ascoli Piceno, and excessive snow, persistent rain and hoarfrost in the province of Ancona during the period from 23 January until 4 March 2005)

Objective: To compensate for damage to farming structures as a result of bad weather (excessive snow in the provinces of Pesaro, Urbino, Macerata, Fermo and Ascoli Piceno, and excessive snow, persistent rain and hoarfrost in the province of Ancona during the period from 23 January until 4 March 2005)

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004 «Nuova disciplina del Fondo di solidarietà nazionale»

Budget: The aid will be funded from the budget allocated to the approved scheme (NN 54/A/04), on the basis of an application from the regional authorities for assistance of EUR 173 220 491

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 %

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other details: Measure applying the scheme approved by the Commission under State aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission letter C(2005)1622 final, dated 7 June 2005)

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy (Abruzzi)

Aid No: N 442/2004

Title: Assistance in agricultural areas having suffered damage (hail of 11 and 12 July 2004, province of Chieti)

Objective: To compensate for damage to agricultural production as a result of bad weather

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004

Budget: The aid will be paid to the Region by the central authorities from the budget approved in the context of scheme NN 54/A/04, the amount being decided on by the Ministry of Agricultural Policy on the basis of an aid application for EUR 10 688 750

Aid intensity or amount: 80 % of the losses

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other details: Measure applying the scheme approved by the Commission under State aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission letter C(2005) 1622 final, dated 7 June 2005)

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Greece.

Aid No: N 456/05

Title: Continuation of the FROST aid programme

Objective: To compensate losses caused by bad weather

Legal basis: Πρόγραμμα ενισχύσεων FROST (Φυτικό Kεφάλαιο, Φυτική Παραγωγή) — σχέδιο κοινής υπουργικής απόφασης

Budget: EUR 280 000 000

Aid intensity or amount: From 50 to 100 %

Duration: Maximum 5 years.

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy (Emilia Romagna)

Aid No: N 489/2004

Title: Assistance in agricultural areas having suffered damage (hail during the period April to May 2004 in the provinces of Bologna and Ferrara)

Objective: To compensate farmers for damage to agricultural production and farming structures caused by bad weather (hail in the provinces of Bologna on 24 April 2004 and Ferrara on 1 May 2004)

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004

Budget: EUR 28 646 560, to be financed from the budget approved under Aid No NN 54/A/04

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 % of the damage

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other information: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission under State Aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission Letter C(2005)1622 final of 7 June 2005)

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy (Lombardy).

Aid No: N 514/2004.

Title: Assistance in affected agricultural areas (hail storm and violent winds in the province of Mantua on 20 June 2004)

Objective: To compensate farmers for damage to agricultural production as a result of bad weather

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004

Budget: See the approved scheme (NN 54/A/04)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 % of the damage

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other information: Measure applying the scheme approved by the Commission under state aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission letter C(2005) 1622 final, dated 7 June 2005).

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Republic of Latvia

Aid No: N 566/2004

Title: Aid for improvement of agricultural land

Objective: Public contribution to financing the agrochemical research of the soil

Legal basis:

—	Lauksaimniecības un lauku attīstības likums, 2004. gada 23. aprīlis;

—	Latvijas Republikas Ministru kabineta 2004. gada 12. decembra noteikumi Nr. 351 ‘Noteikumi par ūdens un augsnes aizsardzību no lauksaimnieciskas darbības izraisītā piesārņojuma ar nitrātiem’;

—	Noteikumu projekts Nr. 1 ‘Lauksaimniecības zemes uzlabošana’

Budget:

—	Annual: LVL 200 000 (approximately EUR 288 000)

—	Total: LVL 1 200 000 (approximately EUR 1 728 500)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 50 % of eligible costs

Duration: 2005-2010

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: NN 17/2004 and 6/2004 (ex N 362/03 and N 361/03)

Title: Long term scheme for BSE testing of cattle slaughtered for human consumption aged over 30 months and casualties aged 24-30 months slaughtered for human consumption; interim measure for BSE testing of 30-42 months Beef Assurance Scheme cattle and casualties aged 24-30 months slaughtered for human consumption

Objective: The aim of the scheme is to monitor the prevalence and epidemiological spread of BSE within UK cattle destined for human consumption by testing all animals aged over 30 months destined for human consumption and 24-30 months casualties slaughtered for human consumption. Until abolishment of the Over Thirty Months rule, an interim measure provides for testing of animals aged over 30 months and destined for human consumption from herds approved under the Beef Assurance Scheme and 24-30 months casualties slaughtered for human consumption

Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies as amended

National implementing provisions of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001:

The TSE (England) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/843)

The TSE (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1353)

The TSE (England) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2860)

The TSE (Wales) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1416)

The TSE (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/255)

The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR 2002/225)

Budget: BSE testing of cattle slaughtered for human consumption aged over 30 months and casualties aged 24-30 months slaughtered for human consumption:

For training of abattoir operators: GBP 132 000/EUR 188 571 in Great Britain and GBP 1 000/EUR 1 428 in Northern Ireland

Aid intensity or amount: 100 %

Duration: Until December 2008

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/16

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3983 — Polestar/Prisa/Ibersuizas/Iberian Capital/Dedalo)

(2005/C 310/10)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 30 November 2005, 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 web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 32005M3983. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

8.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/17

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

EFTA Surveillance Authority decision to propose appropriate measures in relation to State Guarantee in favour of Liechtensteinische Landesbank. The proposal has been accepted by the Principality of Liechtenstein

(2005/C 310/11)

Title	State guarantee in favour of Liechtensteinische Landesbank — Decision to propose appropriate measures to the Principality of Liechtenstein
EFTA State	Liechtenstein
Date of adoption of the decision	15 July 2005
Acceptance of the appropriate measures by the EFTA State	29 July 2005
Number of aid	Case 48084
Objective	State Guarantee on savings deposits and medium term notes of Liechtensteinische Landesbank
Legal basis	Article 5 of the Act on Liechtensteinische Landesbank (Gesetz über die Liechtensteinische Landesbank, LLBG)
Duration	15 years as of 1 August 2005
Decision	The State Guarantee constituted existing aid within the meaning of Article 1(b) in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement The amended proposal for appropriate measures consists of the following: The Liechtenstein authorities shall take, without delay, any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to eliminate any incompatible aid resulting from Article 5 LLBG. Any such aid should be abolished with effect from 1 August 2005. The State guarantee will only be granted in favour of LLB's savings deposits and medium term notes, whose average yearly amount (based on quarterly figures) is to be established by 1 June of each year for the previous year. An adequate premium as established in an expert study submitted to the Authority and referred to in the Decision, will be paid for the so established guaranteed amount of savings deposits and medium term notes. The State guarantee will be limited to a period of 15 years calculated from 1 August 2005. For the year 2005, the premium will be paid pro rata.
Decision	On 1 June of each year the Liechtenstein authorities will report to the Authority the annual report of LLB of the previous year, the average amount of savings deposits and medium term notes of the previous year (including the documentation of the average, based on quarterly figures) as well as the premium calculated on the basis of this amount. The Liechtenstein authorities will further document to the Authority that the premium payment has been effectuated.

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

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/