20.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 323/2

Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2005/C 323/02)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognized in accordance with Article 12(3) within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

‘CHOURIÇA DE CARNE DE BARROSO — MONTALEGRE’

EC No: PT/00239/16.05.2002

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

This summary has been drawn up for information purposes only. For full details, in particular the producers of the PDO or PGI concerned, please consult the complete version of the product specification obtainable at national level or from the European Commission (1).

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:	Instituto de Desenvolvimento Rural e Hidráulica
Address:	Av. Afonso Costa, n.o 1949-002 Lisboa
Tel.:	(00 351) 21 844 22 00
Fax:	(00 351) 21 844 22 02
Email:	idrha@idrha.min-agricultura.pt

2. Group:

2.1 Name: Cooperativa Agrícola dos Produtores de Batata para Semente de Montalegre, CRL

2.2 Address:

Rua General Humberto Delgado 5470- 247 Montalegre, Portugal.

Tel.: (351) 276 512 253

Fax: (351) 276 512 528

Email: quadrimonte@iol.pt

2.3 Composition: producers/processors (X) other ( )

3. Type of product:

Type 1.2 — Meat-based products

4. Specification

(summary of requirements under Article 4(2)):

4.1

Name

‘Chouriça de carne de Barroso — Montalegre’

4.2

Description

A smoked sausage, made from the pig meat and pig fat of the Bisaro breed or of cross-breeds that must be 50 % Bisaro, stuffed into hog casings. The pig meat and fat are seasoned with salt, garlic, red or white wine from the Trás-os-Montes region, powdered chilli pepper (regionally known as ‘pimento’) and/or powdered red bell pepper (or ‘pimentão’). The sausage is shaped like a horseshoe, is between 25 and 35 cm in length and has a cylindrical section of approximately 3 cm in diameter. It varies from red to brown in colour and is spotted, as the pieces of fat are visible. The casing is wrapped tightly around the filling and is unbroken. The casing used is tied shut with two simple knots at each end, using a single piece of cotton twine.

4.3

Geographical area

Due to the special production requirements of these sausages, their flavours, the expertise available and the climatic conditions of the region, the geographical area for processing and packing is limited to the municipality of Montalegre, in the Vila Real district. Taking into account the traditional animal feed and existing agricultural production, the geographical area for processing and packing is naturally limited to the municipalities of Boticas, Chaves and Montalegre, in the Vila Real district. The territory consisting of these three municipalities is known and identified as ‘Barroso’.

4.4

Proof of origin

The farms, slaughterhouses and meat-cutting and preparation plants must be licensed, authorised by the group of producers after the private control body has given its approval and located in the specified production or processing areas respectively. The entire production process, from the farm that produces the raw materials to the place where the product is sold, is subject to a rigorous control system ensuring the product is fully traceable. The pigs are reared in livestock farms possessing an area compatible with traditional, semi-extensive farming systems, where it is possible to produce traditional animal feed. The certification mark on each sausage is numbered, ensuring full traceability to the farm from which the product originated. It is possible to prove the origin of the product at any point in the production chain by means of the serial number, which must be indicated on the certification mark.

4.5

Method of production

Topside, loin, lean trimmings off the leg, and the meat attached to the spinal vertebrae are used. The pig meat is cut into small pieces and seasoned with salt, red or white wine from the Trás-os-Montes region, and garlic. It is marinated for up to 5 days at a temperature below 10 °C in a room with low humidity, after which chilli pepper powder and red bell pepper powder are added. This mixture is then stuffed into a hog casing (small intestine). After stuffing, the casing is cut to the desired size after the ends have been knotted with cotton twine. The two ends are then tied with simple knots and the sausage is bent into a horseshoe shape. The sausage is smoked over a low fire in a smoking room or a traditional smokehouse for 10 to 15 days. The smoke is obtained through the direct combustion of wood, primarily oak, from the region. It is placed on the market as a whole sausage and is always pre-packed at the place of origin. Due to the product's characteristics and composition, it cannot be cut or sliced. Special material is used for its packaging, which, when it comes into contact with the product, is innocuous and inert. The product may be packed in a normal or controlled atmosphere or in a vacuum. Packing can only be carried out in the geographical processing area so as to ensure traceability and control and to prevent any change to the product's taste and microbiological characteristics.

4.6

Link

Due to climatic, geographic and socio–economic conditions, and the diffícult links with the rest of the country, the diet of the Barroso region was limited to local products, mainly bread, potatoes and pork. References made to taxes on pigs and pork products in various municipal registers, including that of Montalegre, prove that pig-breeding has been important in this area for a very long time. For it to remain edible throughout the year, ways were discovered to preserve pig meat, and these quickly became ancestral skills passed down from one generation to the next. The preparation of these products is the result of, and is very dependent on, the region's cold and dry climate, which forces every household to keep a fire burning at all times, thus providing unique conditions for smoking, characterised by a light and gradual smoke supply. It was thus that the need to take advantage of and preserve the pig meat provided by the traditional slaughter gave rise to sausages of various shapes, different ingredients and different colours and flavours, but which were always an expression of the local characteristics: the land and the people. In short, the relationship between this product and the geographical area stems from the breed of (indigenous) animal, the local produce fed to these animals, the knowledge to choose the correct pieces of pig meat, the smoking process using regional firewood and the curing process conducted in a very cold and dry environment suitable for preserving the product.

4.7

Inspection body

Name:	Tradição e Qualidade — Associação Interprofissional para Produtos Agro-Alimentares de Trás-os-Montes
Address:	Av. 25 de Abril, 273 S/L P-5370 Mirandela
Tel.:	(00 351) 278 261 410
Fax:	(00 351) 278 261 410
Email:	tradicao-qualidade@clix.pt

Tradição e Qualidade has been recognised as complying with the requirements of Standard 45011:2001.

4.8

Labelling

It is compulsory for the labelling to include the following: the wording ‘Chouriça de carne de Barroso — Montalegre — Indicação Geográfica Protegida’ (Protected Geographical Indication), the Community's own logo, the logo for Barroso-Montalegre, reproduced below, together with the words ‘Montalegre’ and ‘Chouriça de carne’. It must also include the certification mark, which must state the name of the product, the control body and the serial number (numeric or alphanumeric code ensuring the product's traceability).

4.9

National requirements

—

(1) European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture, Agricultural product quality policy, B-1049 Brussels.

20.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 323/5

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 363/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid

(2005/C 323/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No

XT 2/05

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

England

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

RMIF Post-Farmgate Training Scheme

Legal basis

Industrial Development Act 1982

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

2005: EUR 0,370 million

2006: EUR 0,245 million

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(7) of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

From 1.4.2005

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006

The Grant was committed prior to 31 January 2006. Payments against this commitment will, potentially, continue until 31.3.2008

Objective of aid

General training

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

Limited to specific sectors

Yes

—	Agriculture

Yes

Other transport services

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Address:

Livestock Strategy Division, 9 Millbank (Area 5B), c/o

Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, United Kingdom

Attention: Roger J Walsh

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid No

XT 3/04

Member State

Italy

Region

Veneto

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

ESF Obj. 3 operational programme, measure D1, development of continuing training, labour market flexibility and business competitiveness in the public and private sectors, with priority being granted to SMEs.

Legal basis

Programma operativo approvato dalla giunta regionale con DGR n. 2469 del 28.7.2000 e dalla Commissione europea con decisione C(2000) 2071 del 21 settembre 2000; deliberazione giunta regionale n. 4327 del 30.12.2003.

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 37 million

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(6) of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

30.12.2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006

Objective of aid

General training

Yes

Specific training

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for training aid

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Regione del Veneto

Giunta regionale

Address:

Palazzo Balbi Dorsoduro

3901-30123 Venezia

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 5 of the Regulation

The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid, if the amount of aid granted to one enterprise for a single training project exceeds EUR 1 million

Yes

Aid No

XT 8/04

Member State

Italy

Region

Piedmont

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Directive concerning the training of workers in employment — 2004-06

Legal basis

Deliberazione della Giunta regionale n. 15 — 11520 del 19.1.2004

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount EUR 97,2 million, of which:

EUR 13,2 million allocated to the 2004 budget;

EUR 39,6 million allocated to the 2005 budget;

EUR 44,4 million allocated to the 2006 budget;

in the form of reimbursements of eligible expenditure actually incurred in respect of training programmes and supported by documentary evidence

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(6) of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

31.3.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006

Objective of aid

General training

Yes

Specific training

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for training aid

Yes

—	All services

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

The authorities granting the aid are, depending on the type of activity provided for by the Directive concerned, the Region itself and the Piedmont provincial administrative departments

Addresses:

—

Regione Piemonte — Direzione regionale alla formazione professionale — Lavoro settore Attività formativa

via Magenta, 12 — I-10128 Torino

—

Provincia di Torino

via Maria Vittoria, 12 — I-10100 Torino

—

Provincia di Vercelli

via San Cristoforo, 7 — I-13100 Vercelli

—

Provincia di Novara

p.za G. Matteotti, 1 — I-28100 Novara

—

Provincia di Cuneo

c.so Nizza, 21 — I-12100 Cuneo

—

Provincia di Asti

p.za V. Alfieri, 33 — I-14100 Asti

—

Provincia di Alessandria

p.za Libertà, 17 — I-15100 Alessandria

—

Provincia di Biella

via Quintino Sella, 12 — I-13051 Biella

—

Provincia del Verbano-Cusio-Ossola

via dell'Industria, 25 — I-28924 Verbania

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 5 of the Regulation

Yes

20.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 323/8

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 364/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(2005/C 323/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No

XS 22/05

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

North East England

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Taylor Patterson Associates Ltd

Legal basis

Industrial Development Act 1982 Sections 7 & 11

Section 2 Local Government Act 2000

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

GBP 460 777

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

From 15 December 2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 30 December 2006 — (The grant was committed prior to 31 December 2006 — Payments against this commitment will potentially continue until 1 October 2007)

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Government Office for the North East

European Programmes Secretariat

Address:

Citygate

Gallowgate

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4WH

United Kingdom

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid Number

XS 31/04

Member State

Germany

Region

North Rhine-Westphalia

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid

Regional economic promotion programme for NRW

(Aid No N 438/D/2000)

Legal basis

1.	Gesetz über die Gemeinschaftsaufgabe ‘Verbesserung der regionalen Wirtschaftsstruktur’

2.	Gesetz über die Feststellung des Haushaltsplans des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen für das Haushaltsjahr 2004/2005 (Haushaltsgesetz 2004/2005)

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

Max. EUR 20 million

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

1.4.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

NRW Bank (im Auftrag des Landes NRW)

Address:

Heerdter Lohweg 35

D-40549 Düsseldorf

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid,

(a)

if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 million and

—	the gross aid intensity is at least 50 %,

—	in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50 %; or

(b)	if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 million.

Yes

Aid No

XS 53/04

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

North East of England

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid

Anvil Homes Limited

Legal basis

Regional Development Agencies Act 1998

Industrial Development Act 1982 Sections 7 & 11

Section 2 Local Government Act 2000

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

GBP 135 051

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(6) and Article 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

From 9 August 2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 22 April 2005

Objective of aid

Aid to SME

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SME

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Government Office for the North East

European Programmes Secretariat

Address:

Wellbar House

Gallowgate

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4TD

United Kingdom

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid,

(a)

if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 000 000 and

—	the gross aid intensity is at least 50 %,

—	in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50 %; or

(b)	if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 000 000

N/A

Aid No

XS 62/04

Member State

Germany

Region

Saxony-Anhalt

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Guidelines of the Land of Saxony-Anhalt on the granting of funds to promote the protection and exploitation of innovations (patent promotion)

Legal basis

Mittelstandsförderungsgesetz vom 27. Juni 2001 (GVBl. LSA S. 230) und Verwaltungsvorschriften zu § 44 der Landeshaushaltsordnung (VV-LHO, RdErl. des MF vom 1. Februar 2001, MBl. LSA S. 241)

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 0,94 million

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

22.6.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt

Address:

Domplatz 12

D-39104 Magdeburg

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid,

(a)

if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 million and

—	the gross aid intensity is at least 50 %,

—	in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50 %; or

(b)	if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 million.

Yes

Aid No

XS 121/03

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

Wales

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Industrial improvement grants

Legal basis

Local Government Act 2000

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

GBP 0,250 million

Loans guaranteed

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

Loans guaranteed

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Article 4(2)-(6) and Article 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

1.12.2003

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award

Until 30.11.2006

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Simon Dobbs

Address:

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Business Resource Centre

Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate

Tredegar NP22 3AA, United Kingdom

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid,

(a)

if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 million and

—	the gross aid intensity is at least 50 %,

—	in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50 %; or

(b)	if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 million.

Yes

20.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 323/13

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2005/C 323/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 125/2004

Title: Aid for the conversion of fixed-term contracts to open-ended contracts

Objective: To encourage job creation and the long-term recruitment of disadvantaged and disabled workers through aid conditional on the conversion of fixed-term contracts to open-ended contracts

Legal basis: Deliberazione della Giunta regionale n. 92/10150 del 28.7.2003

Budget: EUR 1 685 600

Aid intensity or amount:

—	7,5-15 % gross respectively for medium-sized and small enterprises outside assisted areas

—	8 % nge + 6 % gge or 8 % gge respectively for large, medium-sized and small enterprises in areas eligible for the exemption provided for in Article 87(3)(c)

—	50 % and 60 % respectively for the recruitment of disadvantaged and disabled workers

Duration:

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:

Member State: Italy — Piemonte Region

Aid No: N 184/A/04 and N 184/B/04

Title: ‘Hydrogen Research programme:’ Micro CHP ‘and’ CELCO ‘projects’

Objective: the scheme is intended to fund two research projects in the hydrogen and fuel cells field

Legal basis: Decisioni 8-11047 e 9-11048, del 24 novembre 2003, adottate dalla Giunta regionale del Piemonte

Budget: EUR 1 438 875 and 1 561 125 respectively for the two projects

Intensity: 50 % gross as industrial research is concerned, no aid intensity increase is foreseen

Duration: four 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 decision:

Member State: Greece

Aid No: N 236/2005

Title: Amendment of the Greek Regional Aid Map

Objective(s): Regional aid

Comments: Modification of the Greek regional aid map — Drama and Kavala

Duration: Until 31.12.2006

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 decision:

Member State: Poland (Kujawsko-Pomorskie)

Aid No: N 244/2005

Title: Regional aid scheme for supporting new investments in the commune of Pakosc

Objective(s): Regional aid

Comments: Support for initial investment in an assisted area

Budget: PLN 700 000/EUR 167 000

Aid intensity or amount: 50 % (plus 15 percentage points gross bonus for SMEs)

Duration: From 2005 to 31.12.2006

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:

Member State: Italy — Trento Autonomous Province

Aid No: N 250/2004

Title:: ‘Restructuring and diversification funds for firms in difficulty’

Objective: the scheme is intended to provide SMEs with rescue and restructuring aid, in the form of short-terms loans and guarantees on loans respectively

Legal basis: Articolo 16 della Legge provinciale n. 4/2004 e progetto di modalità di applicazione, in conformità dell'articolo 16, paragrafo 2, della legge stessa

Budget: EUR 6 million for the whole scheme, over a 3 year period

Duration: 2004-2006

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: N 267/2005

Title: Rural Broadband Access Project

Objective: To support the provision of wholesale broadband services, at conditions similar to urban areas, in certain areas of the West Midlands, East Midlands and South West England which are currently not served and where there are no plans for coverage in the near future

Legal basis: The measure is based on UK Government Policy implemented under the Regional Development Act 1998, Section 5 (1)

Overall budget: The maximum amount of funds available for the Advantage West Midlands Regional Development Agency (‘AWM’) regional post codes, within the West Midlands, is GBP […] (1) and a further GBP […] for the other post codes in the other RDA regions (predominately South West England Development Agency)

Aid intensity: only known after signature of procurement contract

Duration of project: 3 years subject to a possible extension of 2 additional years

Other information: The selected provider(s) will be mandated to provide non-discriminatory wholesale access to third party operators

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:

Member State: Austria (Vorarlberg)

Aid No: N 319/2004

Title: Grants to Biomass

Objective: To favour biomass energy in Vorarlberg

Legal basis: Richtlinien der Vorarlberger Landesregierung für die Gewährung von Zuschüssen zu Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit der verstärkten Nutzung von Biomasse zu energetischen Zwecken durch Biomasse-Nahwärmeprojekte

Budget: EUR 1,2 million p.a. on average

Intensity or amount: Up to 100 % of eligible costs

Duration: until 30 June 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:

Member State: Italy (Campania)

Aid No: N 506/2004

Title: Aid for R&D to large enterprises

Objective: The scheme is intended to stimulate large enterprises to undertake research and pre-competitive activity projects

Legal basis: Disciplinare regionale per il sostegno ai progetti di RSTI promossi dalle grandi imprese dei distretti tecnologici della Regione Campania

Budget: EUR 40 million

Intensity or amount: Up to 45 % for pre-competitive development and up to 70 % for industrial research

Duration: From Commission decision until 31.12.2006

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: Sweden

Aid No: N 596/2004

Title: Modification of schemes N 646/1999 and N 201/2003 — Regional Development Grant

Objective: Promote regional development

Legal basis: Förordning (2000:279) om regionalt utvecklingsbidrag

Budget: EUR 38 million per year

Aid intensity or amount: Regional aid intensity ceiling for investments carried out in regions eligible for national regional aid, 15 % for investments by small companies outside areas eligible for national regional aid

Duration: Until 31.12.2006

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/

(1) Business secret.

20.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 323/16

Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2005/C 323/06)

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

‘AGNEAU DE SISTERON’

EC No: FR/00316/15.10.2003

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

This summary has been produced for information only. For full details, the producers of the products covered by the PGI in question in particular are invited to consult the full version of the product specification at national level or at the European Commission (1).

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:	Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO)
Address:	51, rue d'Anjou — F-75008 Paris
Tel:	(33-1) 53 89 80 00
Fax:	(33-1) 42 25 57 97
e-mail:	info@inao.gouv.fr

2. Group:

2.1. Name: Association CESAR (Cabinet d'Études pour les Structures Agroalimentaires Régionales)

2.2. Address:

Maison Régionale de l'Élevage, Route de la Durance, F-04100 Manosque

Tel: (33-4) 92 72 28 80

Fax: (33-4) 92 72 73 13

e-mail: pacabev@wanadoo.fr

2.3. Composition: producers/processors ( X ) other ( )

3. Type of product:

Group 1.1: Fresh meat (and offal)

4. Specification:

(summary of requirements under Article 4(2))

4.1. Name: ‘Agneau de Sisteron’

4.2. Description: ‘Agneau de Sisteron’ is a light young lamb (between 70 and 150 days old) with light-coloured, fine, smooth and mild-tasting flesh.

Fresh meat, sold as carcases, cuts, fresh half-carcases, cuts ready for dressing, pieces for sale to the consumer.

The lambs are raised on sheep farms and remain with their mothers for at least 60 days. If weather conditions permit, they may accompany their mothers to pasture.

4.3. Geographical area: The lambs are born and raised on the same sheep farm having its headquarters in the defined PGI ‘Agneau de Sisteron’ area. They are slaughtered in an EC-approved slaughterhouse located in that area.

The whole of the Department of Hautes-Alpes.

The whole of the Department of Alpes de Haute-Provence.

The Department of Alpes Maritimes, except the cantons of Antibes-Biot, Saint Laurent du Var, Villefranche sur Mer, Vallauris, Mandelieu, Le Cannet, Nice, Vence, Cagnes sur Mer, Carros, Mougins, Menton, Grasse, Antibes, Cannes.

The Department of Var, except the cantons of Fréjus, Grimaud, Ollioules, Saint-tropez, Soliès Port, La Crau, Saint Mandrier sur Mer, Saint Raphaël, Six Four les plages, La Valette du Var, La Garde, La Seyne sur Mer, Toulon.

The Department of Bouches du Rhône, except the cantons of Aix en Provence nord-est, Aix en Provence sud-ouest, Aubagne, La Ciotat, Gardanne, Port Saint Louis du Rhône, Roquevaire, Saintes Maries de la Mer, Allauch, Marignane, Châteauneuf Côte Bleue, Martigues ouest, Les Pennes Mirabeau, Vitrolles, Martigues, Marseille.

The Department of Vaucluse, except the cantons of Bollène, Orange ouest, Avignon nord.

The Department of Drôme, except the cantons of Bourg de Péage, Chabeuil, La Chapelle en Vercors, Le Grand-Serre, Loriol sur Drôme, Montélimar, Pierrelatte, Romans sur Isère, St Donnat sur l'Herbass, St Jean en Royans, Saint Vallier, Tain l'Hermitage, Bourg les Valence, Portes les Valence, Valence.

This area is that in which the three local sheep breeds are found and has homogeneous extensive livestock-farming systems exploiting the local pastureland. The soil and weather conditions are characterised by an Emberger drought index of IS< 7. This is the area in which the wholesale butchers of Sisteron historically obtained their supplies and which is the basis for the reputation enjoyed by ‘Agneau de Sisteron’.

4.4. Proof of origin: The lambs are identified with an official mark in accordance with the applicable rules.

The traceability of the sheep farm at the point of sale is therefore ensured and checked by an independent body. This means that at each stage of production the meat can be traced back to the lamb and the holding on which it was born.

4.5. Method of production: Breeding flocks consist of rams and ewes of local hardy breeds: Mérinos d'Arles, Préalpes du Sud, Mourérous, or crosses of these breeds. Rams of the breeds Ile de France, Charolais, Suffolk or Berrichon only may be used for the production of meat.

The method of managing the breeding flock is specific to the region. It entails extensive rearing systems with livestock limited to 1.4 LU per ha of total feed-crop area. In addition, these systems require pasture land (summer mountain pasture, grazing). Pasture land consists of semi-natural areas that may only be used for the grazing of flocks.

Minimum lying area: 1,5 m2 for ewes at the end of gestation and during lactation; 0,5 m2 for lambs of more than two months.

Length of trough/feeding rack:

for ewes: 1 m linear for 3 ewes if the feed is distributed in limited quantities or 1 m linear for 30 ewes where feed distribution is self-service.

for weaned lambs: 1 m linear for 4 lambs where the feed is distributed in limited quantities and 1 m linear for 12 lambs where feed distribution is self-service.

The administering of antibiotics as a preventive measure is banned.

The ewes are grazed from at least spring to autumn, and possibly also receive fodder and a recognised feed supplement.

The lambs are fed on their mothers' milk only for at least 60 days, and receive grass and/or fodder, together with a cereal feed supplement. After natural weaning, they receive fodder and/or are grazed, and are given an approved feed supplement. During their lives at least 45 % of the feed they receive originates in the PGI area (milk, 100 % of the grass and fodder other than in exceptional weather conditions).

Silage may not be given to the lambs.

After transportation, slaughter and airing, carcases are selected by a qualified person.

4.6. Link:

4.6.1

Distinct quality linked to origin:

—

Specific soil and weather conditions (influence of the Mediterranean climate on the entire PGI area, shown by an Emberger drought index of <7(a), and featuring limiting drought and cold factors and irregular plant cover growth), imposing extensive management of local hardy breeds of ewes and the rearing of lambs for the most part in sheep housing (to protect them against heat mainly).

—	Three local hardy breeds are typical of the defined PGI area: Mérinos d'Arles, Préalpes du Sud, Mourérous and are found almost exclusively in the geographical area.

—	Characteristic rearing systems: extensive management of flocks and use of pasture land (summer mountain pasture, grazing).

—	A strong link with the area: lambs are grazed and fed on milk and fodder produced principally on the holding.

—	This type of management produces young lambs with specific characteristics in terms of conformation, light-coloured flesh and fat, and mild-tasting and smooth meat.

4.6.2

The historical reputation of ‘Agneau de Sisteron’:

Sheepfarming in France has its historic birthplace in the south-east of the country.

For over 6 000 years sheep have been grazing on its pastures. Rooted in this ancient tradition, the name ‘Agneau de Sisteron’ first appeared in the 1920s and 1930s, on the initiative of Sisteron's wholesale butchers, who traditionally obtained their supplies in the defined PGI area. The regional and national renown of the name has gone on growing and literally soared in the 1950s and 1960s. Sisteron is the focus of this renown but the lamb is born, reared and slaughtered across the whole of the PGI geographical area. The region can be said therefore to have acquired the historical local expertise.

A recent public awareness survey conducted by an independent consultancy, together with numerous accounts (newspaper articles, etc.) confirm that Sisteron lamb is very widely known among consumers (1 regional consumer in 8 spontaneously mentions Sisteron as the place from which lamb that has been purchased comes).

4.6.3

‘Agneau de Sisteron’, human expertise:

The production of ‘Agneau de Sisteron’ is the result of a build-up of expertise developed over years by partners in the sector: the expertise of sheepfarmers (adapting the management of flocks to environmental constraints, the historical selection of hardy breeds, the expertise of shepherds, the method of producing lambs); the expertise of wholesale butchers (historically providing advice to sheepfarmers, selecting live animals and carcases); know-how in handling slaughter tools and equipment; the expertise of producer organisations (shepherding in mountain areas, out-of-season lambing, genetic improvement).

4.7. Inspection body:

Name:	QUALISUD
Address:	BP N° 102 — Agropôle — F-47000 Agen
Tel:	(33-5) 58 06 53 30
Fax:	(33-5) 58 75 13 36
e-mail:	qualisud@wanadoo.fr

4.8. Labelling: Indication Géographique Protégée

‘Agneau de Sisteron’

4.9 National requirements: —

(1) European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture, Agricultural product quality policy, B-1049 Brussels.

20.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 323/21

Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of polyester staple fibres originating in India

(2005/C 323/08)

Following the publication of a notice of impending expiry (1) of the anti-dumping measures in force on imports of polyester staple fibres originating in India (‘the country concerned’), the Commission has received a request for review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (‘the basic Regulation’) (2).

1. Request for review

The request was lodged on 26 September 2005 by the Comité International de la Rayonne et des Fibres Synthétiques (CIRFS) (‘the applicant’) on behalf of producers representing a major proportion, in this case more than 50 % of the total Community production of polyester staple fibres.

2. Product

The product under review is synthetic staple fibres of polyesters, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning originating in India (‘the product concerned’), currently classifiable within CN code 5503 20 00. This CN code is given only for information.

3. Existing measures

The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 2852/2000 (3) and an undertaking accepted by Commission Decision 2000/818/EC (4).

4. Grounds for the review

The request is based on the grounds that the expiry of measures would be likely to result in a recurrence of dumping and injury to the Community industry.

It is alleged that Indian exports to other third countries, i.e. the People's Republic of China, Egypt, Indonesia, the USA, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and the Philippines are made at dumped prices. In such circumstances, it is alleged that there is a strong likelihood of recurrence of dumping from India to the EU.

The applicant further alleges the likelihood of further injurious dumping. In this respect the applicant presents evidence that, should measures be allowed to lapse, the current import level of the product concerned is likely to increase due to the existence of unused capacity in the country concerned.

It is also alleged that the flow of imports of the product concerned is likely to rise due to the measures in force on imports of the same products originating in India in traditional markets other than the EU (i.e. Turkey). All this can lead to a redirection of exports of the product concerned from other third countries to the Community.

Furthermore, the applicant alleges that the situation of the Community industry is still fragile and that any recurrence of substantial imports at dumped prices from the country concerned would likely lead to a recurrence of further injury of the Community industry should measures be allowed to lapse.

5. Procedure

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of an expiry review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation.

5.1. Procedure for the determination of likelihood of dumping and injury

The investigation will determine whether the expiry of the measures would be likely, or unlikely, to lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury.

(a) Sampling

In view of the apparent number of parties involved in this proceeding, the Commission may decide to apply sampling, in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

(i) Sampling for exporters/producers in India

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all exporters/producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, are hereby requested to make themselves known by contacting the Commission and providing the following information on their company or companies within the time limit set in point 6(b)(i) and in the formats indicated in point 7:

—	name, address, e-mail address, telephone, and fax numbers and contact person,

—	the turnover in local currency and the volume in tonnes of the product concerned sold for export to the Community during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the turnover in local currency and the volume in tonnes of the product concerned sold to other third countries during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the precise activities of the company with regard to the production of the product concerned and the production volume in tonnes of the product concerned, the production capacity and the investments in production capacity during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the names and the precise activities of all related companies (5) involved in the production and/or selling (export and/or domestic) of the product concerned,

—	any other relevant information that would assist the Commission in the selection of the sample,

—

by providing the above information, the company agrees to its possible inclusion in the sample. If the company is chosen to be part of the sample, this will imply replying to a questionnaire and accepting an on-the-spot investigation of its response. If the company indicates that it does not agree to its possible inclusion in the sample, it will be deemed to not have cooperated in the investigation. The consequences of non-cooperation are set out in point 8 below.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of exporters/producers, the Commission will, in addition, contact the authorities of the exporting countries, and any known associations of exporters/producers.

(ii) Sampling for importers

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all importers, or representatives acting on their behalf, are hereby requested to make themselves known to the Commission and to provide the following information on their company or companies within the time limit set in point 6(b)(i) and in the formats indicated in point 7:

—	name, address, e-mail address, telephone, and fax numbers and contact person,

—	the total turnover in EUR of the company during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the total number of employees,

—	the precise activities of the company with regard to the product concerned,

—	the volume in tonnes and value in EUR of imports into and resales made in the Community market during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005 of the imported product concerned originating in India,

—	the names and the precise activities of all related companies (5) involved in the production and/or selling of the product concerned,

—	any other relevant information that would assist the Commission in the selection of the sample,

—

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of importers, the Commission will, in addition, contact any known associations of importers.

(iii) Sampling for Community producers

In view of the large number of Community producers supporting the request, the Commission intends to investigate injury to the Community industry by applying sampling.

In order to enable the Commission to select a sample, all Community producers are hereby requested to provide the following information on their company or companies within the time limit set in point 6(b)(i):

—	name, address, e-mail address, telephone, and fax numbers and contact person,

—	the total turnover in EUR of the company during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the precise activities of the company with regard to the production of the product concerned and the volume in tonnes of the product concerned during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the value in EUR of sales of the product concerned made in the Community market during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the volume in tonnes of sales of the product concerned made in the Community market during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the volume in tonnes of the production of the product concerned during the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005,

—	the names and the precise activities of all related companies (5) involved in the production and/or selling of the product concerned,

—	any other relevant information that would assist the Commission in the selection of the sample,

—

(iv) Final selection of the samples

All interested parties wishing to submit any relevant information regarding the selection of the samples must do so within the time limit set in point 6(b)(ii).

The Commission intends to make the final selection of the samples after having consulted the parties concerned that have expressed their willingness to be included in the sample.

Companies included in the samples must reply to a questionnaire within the time limit set in point 6(b)(iii) and must cooperate within the framework of the investigation.

If sufficient cooperation is not forthcoming, the Commission may base its findings, in accordance with Articles 17(4) and 18 of the basic Regulation, on the facts available. A finding based on facts available may be less advantageous to the party concerned, as explained in point 8.

(b) Questionnaires

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the sampled Community industry and to any association of producers in the Community, to the sampled exporters/producers in India, to any association of exporters/producers, to the sampled importers, to any association of importers named in the request or which cooperated in the investigation leading to the measures subject to the present review, and to the authorities of the exporting country concerned.

All interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information other than questionnaire replies and to provide supporting evidence. This information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 6(a)(ii) of this notice.

Furthermore, the Commission may hear interested parties, provided that they make a request showing that there are particular reasons why they should be heard. This request must be made within the time limit set in point 6(a)(iii) of this notice.

5.2. Procedure for the assessment of Community interest

In accordance with Article 21 of the basic Regulation and in the event that the likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury is confirmed, a determination will be made as to whether to maintain, or repeal the anti-dumping measures would not be against the Community interest. For this reason the Community industry, importers, their representative associations, representative users and representative consumer organisations, provided that they prove that there is an objective link between their activity and the product concerned, may, within the general time limits set in point 6(a)(ii), make themselves known and provide the Commission with information. The parties which have acted in conformity with the previous sentence may request a hearing, setting the particular reasons why they should be heard, within the time limit set in point 6(a)(iii). It should be noted that any information submitted pursuant to Article 21 will only be taken into account if supported by factual evidence at the time of submission.

6. Time limits

(a) General time limits

(i) For parties to request a questionnaire

All interested parties who did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures subject to the present review should request a questionnaire as soon as possible, but not later than 15 days after the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(ii) For parties to make themselves known, to submit questionnaire replies and any other information

All interested parties, if their representations are to be taken into account during the investigation, must make themselves known by contacting the Commission, present their views and submit questionnaire replies or any other information within 40 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified. Attention is drawn to the fact that the exercise of most procedural rights set out in the basic Regulation depends on the party's making itself known within the aforementioned period.

(iii) Hearings

All interested parties may also apply to be heard by the Commission within the same 40-day time limit.

(b) Specific time limit in respect of sampling

(i)

The information specified in paragraph 5.1(a)(i), 5.1(a)(ii) and 5.1(a)(iii) should reach the Commission within 15 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, given that the Commission intends to consult parties concerned that have expressed their willingness to be included in the sample on its final selection within a period of 21 days of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(ii)	All other information relevant for the selection of the sample as referred to in 5.1(a)(iv) must reach the Commission within a period of 21 days of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(iii)

The questionnaire replies from sampled parties must reach the Commission within 37 days from the date of the notification of their inclusion in the sample.

7. Written submissions, questionnaire replies and correspondence

All submissions and requests made by interested parties must be made in writing (not in electronic format, unless otherwise specified) and must indicate the name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax, and/or telex numbers of the interested party. All written submissions, including the information requested in this notice, questionnaire replies and correspondence provided by interested parties on a confidential basis shall be labelled as ‘Limited’ (6) and, in accordance with Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, shall be accompanied by a non-confidential version, which will be labelled ‘FOR INSPECTION BY INTERESTED PARTIES’.

Commission address for correspondence:

European Commission

Directorate General for Trade

Directorate B

Office: J-79 5/16

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (32-2) 295 65 05

8. Non-cooperation

In cases in which any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits, or significantly impedes the investigation, provisional or final findings, affirmative or negative, may be made in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, on the basis of the facts available.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information shall be disregarded and use may be made of the facts available. If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially and findings are therefore based on facts available in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

9. Schedule of the investigation

The investigation will be concluded, according to Article 11(5) of the basic Regulation within 15 months of the date of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(1) OJ C 130, 27.5.2005, p. 8.

(2) OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 461/2004 (OJ L 77, 13.3.2004, p. 12).

(3) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000, p. 17.

(4) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000, p. 116.

(5) For guidance on the meaning of related companies, please refer to Article 143 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1).

(6) This means that the document is for internal use only. It is protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 of the basic Regulation and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-dumping Agreement).

20.12.2005

Official Journal of the European Union

C 323/25

STATE AID — SLOVAKIA

State aid No C 42/2005 (ex NN 66/2005, ex N 195/2005)

Restructuring aid in favour of Konas, Ltd.

Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty

(2005/C 323/09)

(Text with EEA relevance)

By means of the letter dated 9 November 2005 reproduced in the authentic language on the pages following this summary, the Commission notified Slovakia of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the abovementioned measure.

Interested parties may submit their comments to the measure in respect of which the Commission is initiating the procedure within one month of the date of publication of this summary and of the following letter, to:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

State aid Greffe

SPA 3, 6/5

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (32-2) 296 12 42

These comments will be communicated to Slovakia. Confidential treatment of the identity of the interested party submitting the comments may be requested in writing, stating the reasons for the request.

TEXT OF SUMMARY

Procedure

The grant of restructuring aid to Konas, Ltd. was notified to the Commission by the letter of the Slovak authorities of 11 April 2005. Later, it was clarified that the aid had been put into effect in contravention of Article 88(3) EC Treaty and was thus unlawful.

Description of the beneficiaries and the aid measures

The recipient of the aid is Konas, Ltd., a company active in manufacturing of machinery and equipment (shaping and press equipment, single purpose machinery and protection shields). The company falls within the definition of a small and medium sized enterprise and is situated in a region eligible for regional aid under Article 87(3)(a) EC Treaty.

The disputed measure is a write-off of a tax debt by the competent tax office in the framework of the so-called arrangement with creditors governed by Act 328/91 Bankruptcy and Arrangement with Creditors. This procedure is a form of court supervised collective insolvency procedure. It results into an agreement between the indebted company and its creditors, on the basis of which the creditors are partially satisfied by the debtor and they write off the remainder of their receivables. The indebted company continues its operation without change of ownership.

In the framework of such a procedure initiated by Konas in July 2003, the tax office accepted to write off 86,7 % of its receivables. The totality of its receivables amounting to SKK 11,2 million (about EUR 0,3 million), the amount written off was SKK 9,7 million (about EUR 0,2 million). The private creditors participating in the arrangement procedure agreed to write off their receivables on the same terms as to the percentage of receivables written off and as to the repayment period. Their receivables totalled to SKK 0,8 million (about EUR 0,02 million) and the amount written off by private creditors was SKK 0,7 million (about EUR 0,017 million). The supervising court confirmed this agreement by a decision of 25 June 2004.

The tax office had in this arrangement procedure the position of a separate creditor, with a privilege to veto the agreement with Konas. The receivables of the tax office were secured by a mortgage to the amount of SKK 10 million (about EUR 0,25 million).

ASSESSMENT

State aid

The Commission first concludes that the write-off of a public debt involves State resources, that the selectivity criterion is met, the measure being addressed to one individual beneficiary, and that the economic activity of the beneficiary entails trade between Member States.

The Commission then turns to the criterion of distortion of competition. At the outset, the Commission notes that the tax office and the private creditors accepted the arrangement with Konas on the same terms. The Commission, however, also observes that the tax office could have obtained a higher satisfaction of its receivables in a bankruptcy procedure, where it would equally have had the position of a separate creditor. Therefore, the proceeds from sales of the secured assets in the bankruptcy procedure would be used exclusively to satisfy the receivables of the tax office. In the arrangement procedure started by Konas, the tax office had a possibility to veto the proposal of Konas and thereafter initiate either the tax execution or the bankruptcy procedure.

The Commission therefore concludes that the write-off conferred on Konas an advantage that it would not have been able to obtain on the private market and thus caused a distortion of competition.

Consequently, the Commission concludes that the write-off constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) EC Treaty.

Derogation under Article 87(2) and (3) EC Treaty

The Commission assessed the measure as aid to a company in difficulty in application of the 1999 Community Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring of firms in difficulty (OJ C 288, 9.10.1999, p. 2). The Commission has doubts that the disputed measure is compatible as restructuring aid. The Commission has in particular doubts that the grant of the aid was made conditional upon the implementation of a restructuring plan and that the plan submitted by Konas to the supervising court in the arrangement procedure was such as to lead the company to the restoration of long-term viability. The Commission has moreover doubts that the aid is limited to the minimum necessary.

TEXT OF LETTER

‘Komisia oznamuje Slovensku, že po preskúmaní informácií, ktoré poskytli vaše orgány o vyššie uvedenom opatrení, sa rozhodla začať konanie stanovené v článku 88 ods. 2 Zmluvy o ES.

I. KONANIE

Listom z 11. apríla 2005, zaevidovanom 19. apríla 2005, Slovensko upovedomilo Komisiu o svojom zámere udeliť reštrukturalizačnú pomoc spoločnosti Konas s.r.o. Dodatočné informácie poskytlo Slovensko listom z 30. júna 2005, zaevidovanom 12. júla 2005 a listom z 5. septembra 2005, zaevidovanom 8. septembra 2005, odpovedajúc Komisii na listy z 31. mája 2005 a 28. júla 2005.

2.	V priebehu tejto výmeny listov vyšlo najavo, že predmetná pomoc bola poskytnutá v rozpore s článkom 88 ods. 3 Zmluvy o ES. Pomoc bola preto klasifikovaná ako nezákonná pomoc a bolo jej priradené nové číslo prípadu NN 66/2005.

II. OPIS

1. Príslušný podnik

Príjemcom finančnej pomoci je spoločnosť Konas s.r.o., ktorá pôsobí v oblasti výroby strojov a zariadení v týchto štyroch segmentoch: výroby tvárniacich a ťažných nástrojov, jednoúčelových strojov a tieniacich kabín. Spoločnosť sa nachádza v regióne oprávnenom na regionálnu pomoc podľa článku 87 ods. 3 písm. a) Zmluvy o ES.

4.	Na základe informácií poskytnutých slovenskými orgánmi, vo všetkých týchto segmentoch existuje niekoľko domácich konkurentov a konkurentov na úrovni Európskych spoločenstiev. Spoločnosť vidí možnosti vývozu v oblasti tvárniacich nástrojov.

5.	Spoločnosť Konas zamestnáva 37 osôb a v roku 2003 dosiahla obrat 30 miliónov SKK (750 000 EUR) (1) a za prvé tri štvrťroky 2004 to bolo 15 miliónov SKK (375 000 EUR).

2. Uplatňované vnútroštátne právne predpisy

6.	Sporným opatrením je odpis daňového dlhu príslušným Daňovým úradom Lučenec (ďalej len “daňový úrad”) v rámci tzv. vyrovnania s veriteľmi. V čase rozhodujúcich skutočností bol tento postup upravovaný zákonom č. 328/91 o konkurze a vyrovnaní (ďalej len “zákon o konkurze”).

Vyrovnanie s veriteľmi (ďalej len “vyrovnanie” alebo “vyrovnacie konanie”) je konanie pod dohľadom súdu, ktorého cieľom, podobne ako v prípade konkurzného konania, je usporiadať finančnú situáciu spoločností v úpadku. Spoločnosť je v úpadku vtedy, keď má niekoľkých veriteľov a nie je schopná vyrovnať svoje záväzky do 30 dní od dátumu splatnosti. V konkurznom konaní spoločnosť zanikne a jej aktíva sa buď predajú novému majiteľovi, alebo sa spoločnosť zlikviduje. Oproti tomu vo vyrovnacom konaní spoločnosť v úpadku pokračuje v činnosti bezo zmeny majiteľa. Súd, ktorý vykonáva dohľad po splnení všetkých procedurálnych a materiálnych predpokladov rozhodnutím začne vyrovnacie konanie a vyzve veriteľov, aby prihlásili svoje pohľadávky v predpísanej lehote.

8.	Na základe dohody medzi veriteľmi a spoločnosťou v úpadku (ďalej len “dohoda veriteľov”), schválenou súdom prostredníctvom uznesenia, spoločnosť časť svojho dlhu zaplatí a zvyšok dlhu sa odpíše.

Veritelia, ktorých pohľadávky sú zabezpečené, napríklad vo forme záložného práva konajú ako oddelení veritelia. Na prijatie návrhu vyrovnania musia všetci oddelení veritelia hlasovať v jeho prospech, zatiaľ čo hlas ostatných veriteľov sa pokladá za rozhodujúci, ak súhlasí kvalifikovaná väčšina veriteľov. Oddelení veritelia hlasujú osobitne a majú právo vetovať návrh.

10.

Oddelení veritelia majú privilegovanú pozíciu aj v konkurznom konaní. Výnosy z predaja zabezpečených aktív v konkurznom konaní by sa mali použiť výhradne na splatenie pohľadávok oddelených veriteľov. Ak z tohto predaja nemožno pokryť všetky pohľadávky oddeleného veriteľa, tieto sa spoja v druhej skupine s pohľadávkami ostatných veriteľov. V druhej skupine sa veritelia uspokojujú pomerne.

11.

Podľa zákona o konkurze, spoločnosť, ktorá sa uchádza o vyrovnanie s veriteľmi, musí súdu predložiť zoznam opatrení týkajúcich sa reorganizácie spoločnosti a ďalšieho financovania činnosti spoločnosti po tomto vyrovnaní. Podľa slovenských orgánov, tieto informácie sú určené súdu vykonávajúcemu dohľad a daňový úrad v pozícii orgánu poskytujúceho pomoc nemá žiadnu možnosť posúdenia plánu alebo monitorovania jeho implementácie.

12.

Zákon č. 511/92 o správe daní a poplatkov a o zmenách v sústave územných finančných orgánov (ďalej len “zákon o správe daní”) upravuje daňové exekučné konanie, účelom ktorého je vymôcť daňové pohľadávky štátu prostredníctvom napríklad predaja nehnuteľnosti, hnuteľných aktív alebo spoločnosti ako celku.

3. Opis opatrenia

13.

Spoločnosť Konas požiadala súd o povolenie vyrovnacieho konania 15. júla 2003, čo súd vykonal uznesením z 25. marca 2004. Veritelia sa stretli 8. júna 2004 a vyjadrili súhlas s reštrukturalizáciou svojich pohľadávok v súlade s návrhom spoločnosti Konas. Súd potvrdil dohodu veriteľov uznesením z 25. júna 2004, ktoré nadobudlo účinnosť 2. augusta 2004. Vyrovnacie konanie súd oficiálne ukončil uznesením z 20. októbra 2004. Podľa slovenských orgánov, posledné uvedené uznesenie je konečným rozhodnutím podľa vnútroštátnych právnych predpisov. Daňový úrad však pozastavil výkon odpisu až do skončenia konania pred Komisiou.

14.

Veritelia sa dohodli so spoločnosťou Konas na tomto vyrovnaní: 13,3 % dlhu splatí spoločnosť Konas do 90 dní od nadobudnutia účinnosti dohody veriteľov a zvyšných 86,7 % dlhu odpíšu veritelia. Nároky všetkých veriteľov boli teda uspokojené za rovnakých podmienok. Daňový úrad ako jediný verejný veriteľ súhlasil s odpísaním sumy 9 730 739 SKK (243 000 EUR). Konkrétne sumy pre jednotlivých veriteľov sú uvedené v nasledujúcej tabuľke.

Tabuľka 1

Vyrovnanie dlhu spoločnosti Konas [v SKK]

Veriteľ		Dlh pred vyrovnaním	Dlh po vyrovnaní (2)	Odpísané sumy
Verejný	Daňový úrad	11 223 459	1 492 720	9 730 739
Súkromný	4 veritelia	827 437	110 049	717 388
CELKOM		12 050 896	1 602 769	10 448 127

15.	Slovenské orgány potvrdili, že spoločnosť Konas si splnila svoje zostavajúce záväzky tak voči verejnému ako aj súkromným veriteľom v lehote uvedenej v dohode veriteľov.

16.	Dlh voči daňovému úradu na dani z pridanej hodnoty, ktorý bol predmetom uvedeného vyrovnacieho konania, vznikol za obdobie medzi tretím štvrťrokom roku 1995 a koncom roku 1997 a za obdobie niekoľkých mesiacov v rokoch 1998 a 1999. Tento dlh dosiahol výšku 11 223 459 SKK (280 586 EUR).

17.	Podľa slovenských orgánov, daňový úrad vydal osem exekučných príkazov v období rokov 1998 a 2000, a tým si uplatnil svoje právomoci podľa zákona o správe daní. V apríli v roku 2004 vydal daňový úrad výkaz nedoplatkov spoločnosti Konas v čase vyrovnacieho konania.

18.

Pohľadávky daňového úradu vo výške 10 147 939 SKK (253 698 EUR) boli zabezpečené záložným právom na aktíva príjemcu. Vďaka tejto záruke bol daňový úrad jediným oddeleným veriteľom vo vyrovnacom konaní, a teda hlasoval oddelene od ostatných veriteľov. Pohľadávky súkromných veriteľov neboli zabezpečené.

4. Reštrukturalizácia

19.	So žiadosťou o vyrovnacie konanie adresovanou príslušnému súdu predložila spoločnosť Konas taktiež plán, ktorý pozostával z dvoch častí: finančnej analýzy spoločnosti a organizačných opatrení a opatrení na obnovenie finančnej stability spoločnosti.

20.

Spoločnosť najprv opísala vo svojom pláne svoju finančnú situáciu tvrdiac, že hoci je stále spoločnosťou v úpadku, jej finančná situácia je stabilizovaná. Spoločnosť potom dospela k záveru, že jej krátkodobé pohľadávky a hotovosť budú dostatočné na pokrytie dlhu zostavajúceho po vyrovnaní. Spoločnosť opísala svoje organizačné činnosti takto: vytváranie rezerv vo výške, ktorá sa rovná dlhu zostavajúcemu po vyrovnaní, riadenie hotovostného toku počas vyrovnacieho konania s cieľom zabrániť neefektívnym výdavkom najmä za energiu a materiál, pravidelná platba daní a iných verejných záväzkov, zintenzívnenie marketingových aktivít, zvýšenie predaja najrentabilnejším zákazníkom, prehodnotenie úrovne zamestnanosti, obmedzenie výdavkov na sociálne účely počas vyrovnacieho konania, lepšie využívanie existujúcich zariadení, pokles spotreby energie a zníženie nákladov.

21.

Náklady na reštrukturalizáciu sa rovnajú výške dlhu, ktorý spoločnosť potrebuje reštrukturalizovať prostredníctvom vyrovnania so svojimi veriteľmi, čo predstavuje sumu 12 050 896 SKK (301 272 EUR) (3). Nezaplatený dlh spoločnosti Konas je 1 602 769 SKK (40 069 EUR). Konas uvádza ako zdroje jeho financovania krátkodobé pohľadávky (1 323 259 SKK alebo 33 081 EUR) a disponibilnú hotovosť (2 246 419 SKK alebo 56 160 EUR).

III. HODNOTENIE

1. Štátna pomoc v zmysle článku 87 ods. 1 Zmluvy o ES

22.

V článku 87 ods. 1 Zmluvy o ES sa uvádza, že akákoľvek pomoc poskytnutá zo strany členského štátu alebo zo štátnych prostriedkov v akejkoľvek forme, ktorá narušuje alebo hrozí narušením hospodárskej súťaže tým, že zvýhodňuje určité podniky alebo výrobu určitých tovarov, sa považuje za nezlúčiteľnú so spoločným trhom, pokiaľ ovplyvňuje obchod medzi členskými štátmi.

23.	Odpis verejného dlhu predstavuje použitie štátnych prostriedkov (ušlé daňové príjmy). Keďže pomoc je určená jednej konkrétnej spoločnosti, kritérium selektívnosti je splnené. Spoločnosť pôsobí v oblasti výroby priemyselných strojov a zariadení, v ktorej existuje obchod medzi členskými štátmi.

24.	Zostáva určiť, či sporné opatrenie narúša hospodársku súťaž tým, že príjemcovi poskytuje podporu, ktorú by na súkromnom trhu nedostal. Inými slovami, Komisia musí určiť, či sa štát vo vyrovnacom konaní správal ako súkromný veriteľ.

25.	V tomto kontexte Komisia poznamenáva, že Slovensko nepopiera, že predmetné opatrenie predstavuje štátnu pomoc.

26.

Komisia posúdila, či daňový úrad konal v tomto prípade ako by konal súkromný veriteľ v porovnateľnej pozícii (tzv. “test súkromného veriteľa”). Konanie verejného orgánu musí byť porovnané s hypotetickým správaním hypotetického súkromného veriteľa, ktorého jediným cieľom by bolo dosiahnuť splatenie jednotlivých súm, preňho za daných podmienok čo najvýhodnejšie, pokiaľ ide o stupeň uspokojenia a časový rámec (4).

27.

V prvom rade je potrebné porovnať výsledky pokiaľ ide o splatenie pohľadávok, ktoré štát dosiahol pri vyrovnaní so svojim dlžníkom, na jednej strane, a ktoré by štát mohol získať v konkurznom konaní alebo inom správnom alebo občianskom súdnom konaní podľa vnútroštátnych právnych predpisov (ako daňová exekúcia), na strane druhej. Po druhé, konanie ostatných veriteľov sa vezme do úvahy, pokiaľ je ich právna pozícia porovnateľná s pozíciou, akú má verejný veriteľ. Skutočnosť, že súkromní veritelia v danom prípade konajú rovnako ako verejný veriteľ, nevedie automaticky k záveru, že boli splnené kritériá testu súkromného veriteľa.

28.

Pokiaľ ide o prvé kritérium, konštatuje sa, že pohľadávky daňového úradu vo výške 10 147 939 SKK (253 698 EUR) boli spojené so záložným právom na aktíva príjemcu. Táto čiastka zodpovedá 90 % celkových pohľadávok daňového úradu voči spoločnosti Konas. V konkurznom konaní by tieto zábezpeky zaručili daňovému úradu pozíciu oddeleného veriteľa, čo by znamenalo, že výnosy z predaja z takýchto zabezpečených aktív by mohli byť použité výlučne na pokrytie jeho zabezpečených pohľadávok.

29.

Zvyšok pohľadávok daňového úradu by bol uspokojený spolu s pohľadávkami súkromných veriteľov z toho, čo by zostalo z aktív spoločnosti po predaji zabezpečených aktív. Nároky veriteľov v druhej skupine sa uspokojujú pomerne. V tejto súvislosti Komisia konštatuje, že zatiaľ čo pohľadávky daňového úradu predstavovali čiastku 11 223 459 SKK (280 586 EUR), súhrn pohľadávok štyroch súkromných veriteľov predstavoval čiastku 827 437 SKK (20 685 EUR), čo zodpovedá 7 % celkového dlhu spoločnosti Konas. Vzhľadom na tento pomer a keďže by výnosy z ďalších predajov boli rozdelené pomerne, daňový úrad by získal v absolútnych hodnotách najviac aj v druhej skupine veriteľov. Uspokojenie súkromných veriteľov v druhej skupine by bolo minimálne.

30.	Daňový úrad mohol zabrániť po začatí vyrovnancieho konania schváleniu dohody veriteľov tým, že by bol odmietol hlasovať v jej prospech ( privilégium veta oddeleného veriteľa). Vyrovnacie konanie by tým bolo ukončené a daňový úrad by mohol podať návrh na začatie konkurzného konania.

31.

Komisia ďalej poznamenáva, že v období od roku 2001 do roku 2003, keď spoločnosť Konas požiadala súd o povolenie vyrovnacieho konania, daňový úrad nevydal v rámci svojej právomoci podľa zákona o správe daní žiaden exekučný príkaz. Dlh, ktorý bol predmetom dohody veriteľov, datoval až do tretieho štvrťroku roku 1995. Podľa zavedenej judikatúry, už samotná priebežná absencia vymáhania práva zo strany štátu, týkajúceho sa daňových záväzkov a záväzkov zo sociálneho zabezpečenia, môže byť sama o sebe výhodou zmierňujúcou záťaž, ktorú by mal príjemca bežne znášať (5). V tomto prípade Komisia považuje priebežné nevymáhanie daňových záväzkov spoločnosti Konas za jeden z prvkov analýzy, či bol splnený test súkromného veriteľa.

32.

Pokiaľ ide o druhé kritérium, aj keď Komisia uznáva, že verejní ako aj súkromní veritelia sa dohodli na reštrukturalizácii svojich pohľadávok za rovnakých podmienok (rovnaké percento odpísaného dlhu, splatenie v rovnakom časovom období), je taktiež zrejmé, že právna pozícia daňového úradu voči spoločnosti Konas bola výhodnejšia. Daňový úrad vlastnil zabezpečené pohľadávky a mal možnosť začať daňovú exekúciu podľa zákona o správe daní. Ako sa uvádza vyššie v bode 29, uspokojenie obchodných pohľadávok súkromných veriteľov by bolo v konkurznom konaní veľmi obmedzené.

33.

Slovenské orgány v predložených podkladoch výslovne spomenuli, že regionálne aspekty boli jedným z kritérií daňového úradu pre to, aby súhlasil s vyrovnaním navrhovaným spoločnosťou Konas. Súkromný veriteľ by sa však snažil len o čo najvyššie uspokojenie svojich pohľadávok a nebral by do úvahy motivácie tohto typu, ktoré patria k výkonu funkcií štátu (regionálna, kohézna, sociálna politika atď.).

34.

Na základe uvedeného, Komisia dospela k záveru, že daňový úrad nekonal ako súkromný veriteľ. Kritériá testu súkromného veriteľa teda nie sú splnené. Odpis dlhu daňovým úradom preto predstavuje výhodu, ktorú by spoločnosť Konas nebola získala na trhu, a ktorá teda spôsobuje narušenie hospodárskej súťaže.

35.	Komisia preto uzatvára, že predmetné opatrenie predstavuje štátnu pomoc v zmysle článku 87 ods. 1 Zmluvy o ES.

2. Výnimka podľa článku 87 ods. 2 a 3 Zmluvy o ES

36.

Primárnym cieľom predmetného opatrenia je pomôcť spoločnosti v ťažkostiach. V takýchto prípadoch možno uplatniť výnimku článku 87 ods. 3 písm. c) Zmluvy o ES, ktorá umožňuje povoliť štátnu pomoc na podporu rozvoja niektorých hospodárskych sektorov, ak táto pomoc negatívne neovplyvňuje podmienky obchodovania do takej miery, ktorá by bola v rozpore so spoločným záujmom, a ak sú splnené príslušné podmienky.

37.

Pomoc na záchranu a reštrukturalizáciu spoločností v ťažkostiach sa v súčasnosti upravuje usmerneniami Spoločenstva o štátnej pomoci na záchranu a reštrukturalizáciu firiem v ťažkostiach (6) (ďalej len “nové usmernenia”), ktoré nahrádzajú predchádzajúce znenie prijaté v roku 1999 (7) (ďalej len “usmernenia z roku 1999”).

38.

Prechodné ustanovenia nových usmernení stanovujú, že nové usmernenia sa uplatňujú na hodnotenie akejkoľvek pomoci na záchranu alebo reštrukturalizáciu poskytnutej bez povolenia Komisie (nezákonná pomoc), ak je niektorá časť pomoci alebo celá pomoc poskytnutá po 1. októbri 2004, teda po dni uverejnenia nového usmernenia v Úradnom vestníku Európskej únie (bod 104, prvý pododsek). Ak však bola pomoc nezákonne poskytnutá pred 1. októbrom 2004, zisťovanie sa vedie na základe usmernení platných v čase, keď bola pomoc poskytnutá (bod 104, druhý pododsek).

39.

Komisia poznamenáva, že schválenie vyrovnania daňovým úradom nadobudlo účinnosť 2. augusta 2004 (8). Je irelevantné, že ďalšie procesné kroky, akými sú deklaratórne uznesenie súdu, ktorým sa formálne ukončí vyrovnacie konanie alebo potreba daňového úradu skutočne realizovať odpísanie dlhu vo svojich účtovných záznamoch, sú predpísané vnútroštátnymi právnymi predpismi. Tieto predstavujú úkony vykonávajúce rozhodnutie štátu poskytnúť štátnu pomoc (inými slovami, platbu). V zmysle tohto bola pomoc nezákonne poskytnutá pred 1. októbrom 2004. Uplatňujú sa teda usmernenia z roku 1999, uplatňované v čase, keď bola pomoc poskytnutá.

40.	Vo svojom hodnotení Komisia berie do úvahy, že príjemca, ktorý spĺňa kritéria uvedené v prílohe I nariadenia Komisie (ES) č. 70/2001 z 12. januára 2001 o uplatňovaní článkov 87 a 88 Zmluvy o ES na štátnu pomoc pre malé a stredné podniky (9), je malým podnikom.

2.1. Oprávnenosť podniku

41.	Podľa bodu 5 písm. c) usmernenia z roku 1999 sa podnik pokladá za podnik v ťažkostiach, ak podľa vnútroštátnych právnych predpisov spĺňa kritéria na to, aby sa stal predmetom konania vo veci kolektívnej platobnej neschopnosti.

42.	Spoločnosť Konas bola predmetom vyrovnacieho konania, ktoré je prístupné platobne neschopným spoločnostiam v súlade s definíciou zákona o konkurze. Konas je preto oprávnená na reštrukturalizačnú pomoc.

2.2. Reštrukturalizačný plán

43.

Podľa usmernení z roku 1999, poskytnutie reštrukturalizačnej pomoci musí byť prepojené a podmienené implementáciou zrealizovateľného a koherentného reštrukturalizačného plánu na obnovenie dlhodobej životaschopnosti podniku. Členský štát sa zaväzuje k tomuto plánu, ktorý musí byť schválený Komisiou. Neschopnosť firmy zrealizovať plán sa považuje za zneužitie pomoci.

44.

Reštrukturalizačný plán musí obnoviť dlhodobú životaschopnosť príjemcu v prijateľnom časovom rámci a na základe realistických predpokladov pokiaľ ide o budúce podmienky prevádzky. Plán by mal opísať okolnosti, ktoré viedli spoločnosť do ťažkostí a uviesť primerané opatrenia na riešenie týchto ťažkostí. Reštrukturalizačné operácie nemôžu byť obmedzené na finančnú pomoc určenú na vyrovnanie dlhov a minulých strát bez toho, aby sa zaoberali dôvodmi spôsobujúcimi tieto ťažkosti.

45.

Pre spoločnosti, ktoré sa nachádzajú v podporovaných oblastiach a malé a stredné podniky, usmernenia z roku 1999 ustanovujú, že podmienky na schvaľovanie pomoci môžu byť menej prísne, pokiaľ ide o uplatňovanie kompenzačných opatrení a obsah monitorovacích správ. Tieto ukazovatele však nezbavujú takéto spoločnosti potreby vypracovania reštrukturalizačného plánu a členské štáty povinnosti poskytnúť reštrukturalizačnú pomoc len za podmienky implementácie reštrukturalizačného plánu.

46.

V tomto prípade Komisia konštatuje, že plán spoločnosti Konas bol vypracovaný podľa zákona o konkurze a nie podľa usmernení z roku 1999. Daňový úrad ako orgán poskytujúci pomoc nemal možnosť posúdiť plán alebo podmieniť odpísanie svojich pohľadávok jeho implementáciou, ktorá by bola náležite monitorovaná. Javí sa preto, že formálne požiadavky usmernení z roku 1999 neboli rešpektované.

47.

Komisia však aj napriek tomu preštudovala obsah navrhovaného plánu a konštatuje, že tu chýbajú prvky reštrukturalizačného plánu opísané v usmerneniach z roku 1999. Spoločnosť Konas opísala svoju súčasnú finančnú situáciu veľmi stručne, len do tej miery, aby preukázala, že bude schopná po vyrovnaní pokryť zvyšok svojho dlhu, a tým stratí znaky úpadku. Dôvody ťažkostí spoločnosti neboli analyzované.

48.

Plán opisuje veľmi stručne a všeobecne ciele spoločnosti Konas, ako napríklad zníženie nákladov a zintenzívnenie marketingových aktivít bez toho, aby bol však bližšie uvedený spôsob, akým sa tieto ciele majú dosiahnuť. Jediným konkrétnym opatrením je finančná reštrukturalizácia. Plán neobsahuje žiadnu predpoveď trhovej situácie ani výhľady spoločnosti.

49.

Na základe týchto ukazovateľov Komisia pochybuje, že plán navrhnutý spoločnosťou Konas je skutočným reštrukturalizačným plánom, aký je požadovaný v usmerneniach z roku 1999, uplatnenie ktorého by bolo podmienkou pre poskytnutie pomoci a ktorý by poskytol dostatočné záruky, že sa spoločnosť stane po vyrovnaní dlhodobo životaschopnou. Komisia má preto pochybnosti, že predmetné opatrenie nepredstavuje len prevádzkovú pomoc, oslobodzujúcu spoločnosť od nahromadeného verejného dlhu bez toho, aby sa realizovali akékoľvek konkrétne opatrenia, ktoré by zabezpečili obnovenie dlhodobej životaschopnosti. Takáto pomoc by bola nezlúčiteľná so spoločným trhom.

2.3. Pomoc obmedzená na minimum

50.

Keďže chýba skutočný reštrukturalizačný plán, ktorý by obsahoval finančné predpovede spoločnosti, Komisia nemôže posúdiť, či bola pomoc obmedzená na minimum nevyhnutné na uskutočnenie reštrukturalizácie (bod 40 usmernení z roku 1999. S cieľom obmedziť rušivý účinok, výška pomoci musí byť taká, aby spoločnosť nezískala hotovosť navyše, ktorá by mohla byť použitá na činnosti, ktoré nie sú spojené s reštrukturalizačným procesom.

51.	Cieľom finančnej reštrukturalizácie je eliminácia dlhu, ktorý presahuje to, čo spoločnosť môže bežne znášať. V tomto prípade sa však javí, že dlh bol vyrovnaný v plnej miere, čo vytvára pre spoločnosť dodatočnú flexibilitu vyrovnávajúcu sa poskytnutiu hotovosti.

52.

Okrem toho, podľa svojho plánu spoločnosť Konas, v čase keď požiadala príslušný súd o začatie vyrovnacieho konania, disponovala v júli 2003 hotovosťou vo výške približne asi 2,2 milióna SKK. Podľa súvahy k 31. marcu 2004, dostupná hotovosť bola asi 3,9 milióna SKK. Nezaplatený dlh po vyrovnaní bol asi 1,6 milióna SKK. Slovenské orgány nepreukázali, že spoločnosti po zaplatení dlžnej čiastky nezostala hotovosť navyše, inými slovami, že odpísanie verejného dlhu bolo limitované na nevyhnutné minimum a že spoločnosť Konas nemohla prispieť k reštrukturalizácii vo vyššej miere zo svojich vlastných zdrojov.

53.	Komisia má preto pochybnosti, či bola pomoc obmedzená na nevyhnutné minimum.

2.4. Záver

54.	Na základe uvedeného a informácií dostupných v tomto štádiu má Komisia pochybnosti, či je sporné opatrenie zlučiteľné so spoločným trhom ako reštrukturalizačná pomoc. Okrem toho sa zdá, že nie je možné uplatniť žiadnu inú výnimku v zmysle Zmluvy o ES.

3. Rozhodnutie

55.	Vzhľadom na uvedené sa Komisia rozhodla začať konanie podľa článku 88 ods. 2 Zmluvy o ES vo veci sporného opatrenia týkajúceho sa štátnej pomoci z dôvodu pochybností, či je kompatibilné so spoločným trhom.

56.	Komisia žiada Slovensko o predloženie svojich pripomienok, ktoré môžu pomôcť hodnoteniu prípadu, do jedného mesiaca od dátumu prijatia tohto listu.

57.	Komisia rovnako žiada slovenské orgány ihneď zaslať kópiu tohto listu príjemcovi pomoci.

58.

Komisia pripomína Slovensku, že konanie podľa článku 88 ods. 2 Zmluvy o ES má odkladný účinok, a upozorňuje na článok 14 nariadenia Rady (ES) č. 659/1999, ktoré stanovuje, že od príjemcu možno vymáhať každú nezákonnú pomoc. V tejto súvislosti Komisia žiada Slovensko, aby sa zdržalo výkonu ďalších procesných krokov, ktoré by boli právne potrebné podľa vnútroštátnych právnych predpisov na zrealizovanie odpisu.

59.

Komisia ďalej pripomína, že uverejnením tohto listu a jeho zhrnutia v Úradnom vestníku Európskej únie bude informovať zainteresované strany. Komisia bude informovať zainteresované strany v krajinách EFTA, ktoré sú signatármi dohody o EHP, uverejnením oznamu v prílohe EHP k Úradnému vestníku Európskej únie, ako aj dozorný orgán EFTA zaslaním kópie tohto listu. Všetky tieto zainteresované strany Komisia takto vyzve, aby predložili svoje pripomienky do jedného mesiaca od dátumu tohto uverejnenia.’

(1) Použitý výmenný kurz je len približný (1 EUR = 40 SKK) a údaje v eurách slúžia len na informáciu.

(2) Suma, ktorú je spoločnosť Konas povinná splatiť svojim veriteľom.

(3) Reštrukturalizačný plán pripravený v júli 2003 uvádza mierne nižšiu sumu dlhu vo výške 9 683 198 SKK (242 079 EUR). Údaje posúdené Komisiou sú konečnými údajmi, ktoré sú uvedené súdom vykonávajúcim dohľad v rozhodnutí, ktoré potvrdzuje dohodu veriteľov (25. júna 2004, čo je rok po predložení žiadosti o vyrovnanie s veriteľmi).

(4) Test súkromného veriteľa je potrebné odlišovať od tzv. testu súkromného investora. Pozri napríklad prípad C-342/96, Španielsko versus Komisia, § 46.

(5) Prípad C-256/97, DM Transport.

(6) Ú. v. EÚ C 244, 1.10.2004, s. 2.

(7) Ú. v ES C 288, 9.10.1999, s. 2.

(8) Posledný dátum, kedy možno pomoc pokladať za poskytnutú. Možné sú aj skoršie dátumy (pozri bod 13), najmä dátum, keď daňový úrad súhlasil s navrhovaným vyrovnaním (8. jún 2004), čím sa ale nemení hodnotenie.

(9) Ú. v. ES L 10, 13.1.2001, s. 33.

		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 323

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 48 20 December 2005

Notice No	Contents	page
	I Information
	Commission
2005/C 323/1	Euro exchange rates	1

2005/C 323/2	Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin	2

2005/C 323/3	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 363/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid ( 1 )	5

2005/C 323/4	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 364/2004 of 25 February 2004, on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises ( 1 )	8

2005/C 323/5	Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 1 )	13

2005/C 323/6	Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin	16

2005/C 323/7	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4014 — GLB/Luminar/JV) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	20

2005/C 323/8	Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of polyester staple fibres originating in India	21

2005/C 323/9	State aid — Slovakia — State aid No C 42/2005 (ex NN 66/2005, ex N 195/2005) — Restructuring aid in favour of Konas, Ltd. — Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty ( 1 )	25

	European Central Bank
2005/C 323/0	Opinion of the European Central Bank of 9 December 2005 at the request of the Council of the European Union on a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2004/39/EC on markets in financial instruments, as regards certain deadlines (CON/2005/53)	31

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,1977
JPY	Japanese yen	139,24
DKK	Danish krone	7,4550
GBP	Pound sterling	0,67960
SEK	Swedish krona	9,4295
CHF	Swiss franc	1,5505
ISK	Iceland króna	75,49
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,0110
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9555
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,5735
CZK	Czech koruna	28,932
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	252,65
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6965
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,8558
RON	Romanian leu	3,6595
SIT	Slovenian tolar	239,49
SKK	Slovak koruna	38,008
TRY	Turkish lira	1,6160
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6110
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,3932
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	9,2850
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7330
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,9934
KRW	South Korean won	1 218,90
ZAR	South African rand	7,6557
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	9,6690
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,4075
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	11 803,33
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,527
PHP	Philippine peso	63,975
RUB	Russian rouble	34,3460
THB	Thai baht	49,016