12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/1

Euro exchange rates (1)

11 January 2006

(2006/C 7/01)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,2088
JPY	Japanese yen	138,31
DKK	Danish krone	7,4573
GBP	Pound sterling	0,68840
SEK	Swedish krona	9,3499
CHF	Swiss franc	1,5474
ISK	Iceland króna	74,03
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,0310
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9554
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,5737
CZK	Czech koruna	28,753
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	249,88
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6962
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,7742
RON	Romanian leu	3,6285
SIT	Slovenian tolar	239,48
SKK	Slovak koruna	37,380
TRY	Turkish lira	1,6210
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6061
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4073
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	9,3702
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7392
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,9702
KRW	South Korean won	1 187,04
ZAR	South African rand	7,3825
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	9,7556
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,3851
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	11 441,29
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,529
PHP	Philippine peso	63,583
RUB	Russian rouble	34,4140
THB	Thai baht	48,100

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/2

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 7/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 5 January 2006 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Parts Holding Sarl (‘Parts’, Luxembourg, part of the Investcorp Group, UK) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of Autodis S.A (‘Autodis’, France), by way of purchase of shares

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	Parts/Investcorp group: international financial institution acting as a principal and as an intermediary in international investment transactions,

—	Autodis: distribution of automotive (car and car engines) spare parts, heavy vehicle (truck, trailer and bus) spare parts, and industrial non-automotive spare parts.

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.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group, 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.

12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/3

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 not to raise objections

(2006/C 7/03)

Date of adoption of the decision

22 June 2005

Number of aid

Case 55682

EFTA State

Norway

Title

Electricity tax exemption for energy intensive industries participating in a programme for energy efficiency

Objective

The objective of the programme is to encourage efficient use of energy

Legal basis

The Parliament's annual decision on electricity tax, the Regulation on excise duties, ref. § 3-12-11 (1) and the standard ‘Agreement Concerning the Promotion of Energy Efficient Energy Use in Energy Intensive Industries’ to be entered into between the Norwegian State and each of the relevant companies qualifying for participation

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted (in national currency)

Aid scheme

Exemption of tax amounts to approx. NOK 25 million per year

Annual expenditure planned: NOK 25 million

EUR 3 million

Overall amount: NOK 250 million

EUR 30 million

Duration

10 years

Maximum aid intensity of the aid scheme

NOK 25 million per year

Economic sectors

Limited to the energy intensive industries in the manufacturing and mining sector, social works, as far as the electricity is used by enterprises that exercise industrial production in the same way as the enterprises in the manufacturing and mining sector, as well as the industry which supplies steam and hot water

Name and address of the granting authority

Ministry of Finance

P.O. Box 8008 Dep, N-0030 Oslo

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

12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/4

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 not to raise objections

(2006/C 7/04)

Date of adoption of the decision

15 July 2005

Number of aid

Case 57877

EFTA State

Norway

Title

Amendments to the Norwegian aid scheme ‘support for audiovisual production’

Objective

The objective of the programme is to encourage film and TV production as well as interactive production

Legal basis

Regulation for support for audiovisual production of 28 January 2005 (Forskrift om tilskudd til audiovisuelle produksjoner)

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted (in national currency)

Aid scheme

Annual expenditure

Budget 2004

NOK 236 840 000

EUR 28 million

Duration

Until 8 February 2007

Maximum aid intensity of the aid scheme

Variable

Economic sector

Audiovisual production

Name and address of the granting authority

Norsk filmfond

Dronningens gt. 16

Postboks 752 Sentrum

N-0106 Oslo

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/

12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/5

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

(2006/C 7/05)

NORWAY

Operating licences granted

Category B: Operating licences including the restriction of Article 5(7)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92

Name of air carrier

Address of air carrier

Decision effective since

Midtnorsk Helikopter AS

Slottelid

N-7650 Verdal

1.9.2005

Norsk Flytjeneste AS

Sandefjord lufthavn

N-3241 Sandefjord

1.8.2005

Operating licences revoked

Category B: Operating licences including the restriction of Article 5(7)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92

Name of air carrier

Address of air carrier

Decision effective since

SAAB Norsk Flytjeneste AS

Sandefjord lufthavn

N-3241 Sandefjord

1.8.2005

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

12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/6

Authorisation of 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 not to raise objections

(2006/C 7/06)

Date of adoption:

EFTA State: Iceland

Aid No: Case 55362

Title: Tax and fee concessions in favour of the aluminium smelter Norðurál hf. at Grundartangi, Iceland

Objective: The objective of the aid granted by means of (i) amendments to a previous scheme on tax and fee concessions; and (ii) certain non-notified tax and fee concesisions (forming part of the scheme) is to enhance the attractivenes of the Vesturland region for investment purposes.

Legal basis: The previously existing legal instruments of

Budget/Duration: EUR 88,3 million and 10,7 % aid intensity. The scheme has been permitted to be valid until 31 October 2018.

Form of the aid: Tax and fee concessions

Decision:

The EFTA Surveillance Authority does not raise objections to the grant of aid in favour of Norðurál hf. by means of the following (i) non-notified aid measures forming part of a previously approved aid scheme; and (ii) amendments made to such aid scheme:

—	the maximum corporate income tax of 18 %;

—	the accelerated depreciation of assets;

—	the minimum time span of nine years for deducting operating losses;

—	the exemption from customs and excise duties on imports or domestic purchase of materials used for the construction of Norðurál hf.;

—	deferral from the payment of VAT on imports;

—	the exemption from excise customs duties on material for the operation of Norðurál hf.;

—	the tax deferral in respect of funds allocated into a special account and accelerate depreciation of assets purchased for such funds;

—	the exemption from payment of fees for safety controls of electricity production;

—	the difference between the statutory amount to be paid for zoning fee and the amount actually paid; and

—	the non-payment of rent for the increased size of land between 5 February 2005 and 1 January 2006.

The state aid involved in the abovementioned measures must be counted towards ceiling fixed in the Appropriate Measure Decision and respect all the conditions set forth herein, including the maximum aid amount of EUR 88,3 million and maximum aid intensity of 10,7 % and the expiry of the application of the Grundartangi Aid Scheme on 8 July 2018.

3.	Iceland is requested to submit annual reports regarding the implementation of the aid in accordance with Article 21 in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement in conjunction with Articles 5 and 6 of the Authority's decision 195/04/COL.

4.	This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Iceland

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

12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/7

Authorisation of 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 a scheme on tax and fee concessions in favour of Norðurál hf. The proposal has been accepted by Iceland.

(2006/C 7/07)

Date of adoption:

EFTA State: Iceland

Aid No: Case 55362

Title: Tax and fee concessions in favour of the aluminium smelter Norðurál hf. at Grundartangi, Iceland

Acceptance of the appropriate measures by the EFTA State: By letter dated 15 July 2005 the Icelandic authorities accepted the appropriate measures proposed by the Authority.

Objective: The objective of the aid granted by means of scheme on tax and fee concessions is to enhance the attractivenes of the Vesturland region for investment purposes.

Legal basis: The legal instruments of

Budget/Duration: EUR 88,3 million and 10,7 % aid intensity. The scheme has been permitted to be valid until 31 October 2018.

Form of the aid: Tax and fee concessions

Decision:

The EFTA Surveillance Authority proposes to the Icelandic authorities the following appropriate measures:

(a)

The authorities shall take any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to ensure that the following aid measures in the Grundartangi Decision, considered above to constitute an aid scheme, do not involve incompatible operating aid:

—	The right to allocate amounts into a special account pursuant to Article 7.1 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.1 of the Grundartangi Act;

—	the exemption from net worth tax pursuant to Article 7.2 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.2 of the Grundartangi Act;

—	the exemption from Industrial charge and Market charge pursuant to Article 7.3 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.3 of the Grundartangi Act;

—	the reduction of stamp duties pursuant to Article 11 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.7 of the Grundartangi Act; and

—	the special calculation of municipal property tax pursuant to Article 8 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.6 of the Grundartangi Act.

Measures must be taken to ensure that aid granted on the basis of the abovementioned aid measures under the aid scheme does not exceed the ceiling of EUR 88,3 million in 2003 prices, representing the total amount of aid which may be granted to Norðurál hf. for all three investments, as well as that the aid intensity of 10,7 % — which forms an integral part of the absolute ceiling for the grant of State aid to Norðurál hf. — is not exceeded.

The Icelandic authorities must calculate the aid incurred each year on the basis of the discounted value applying the annual reference rates.

The aid scheme can in no circumstances be applied beyond the date of 31 October 2018 irrespectively of whether the total amount of aid under the above stated ceiling has been granted. Measures must therefore be taken in order to ensure that the aid scheme will expire on 31 October 2018.

(b)

The authorities shall take any legislative, administrative and other measures necessary to abolish incompatible aid resulting from the exemption from dividends withholding tax provided for in Article 7.1 of the Investment Agreement and Article 6.1 of the Grundartangi Act and must therefore abolish this provision in its entirety.

The relevant measures to comply with the appropriate measures must be effective within three months of the date of the adoption of the present decision, unless the Authority agrees to a later date should that be considered objectively necessary and justified by the Authority.

The Icelandic authorities shall communicate to the Authority the relevant measures it will take to comply with the appropriate measures as soon as possible and in any event not later than six weeks from receipt of this proposal

3.	Iceland is requested to submit simplified annual reports regarding the implementation of the aid in accordance with Article 21 in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement in conjunction with Articles 5 and 6 of the Authority's decision 195/04/COL.

4.	The Authority asks the Icelandic authorities to agree to this proposal for appropriate measures, pursuant to Article 19(1) in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, and to provide the answer within six weeks from receipt of this proposal.

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

12.1.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 7/9

List of natural mineral waters in Iceland and Norway pursuant to Article 1 of Council Directive 80/777/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters

(2006/C 7/08)

(Annuls and replaces 2005/C 325/12)

LIST OF NATURAL MINERAL WATERS RECOGNISED BY ICELAND

Trade name	Name of source	Place of exploitation
Icelandic Spring	Jadar spring area	Reykjavik

LIST OF NATURAL MINERAL WATERS RECOGNISED BY NORWAY

Trade name	Name of source	Place of exploitation
Farris	Kong Olavs kilde	Larvik
Fjellbekk	Ivar Aasen kilde	Volda
Fyresdal	Fyresdalkilden	Fyresdal
Olden	Blåfjellkilden	Olderdalen
Osa	Osakilden	Ilvik/Hardanger

		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 7

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 49 12 January 2006

Notice No	Contents	page
	I Information
	Commission
2006/C 007/1	Euro exchange rates	1

2006/C 007/2	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4098 — Investcorp/Autodistribution Group) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	2

	EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA
	EFTA Surveillance Authority
2006/C 007/3	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 not to raise objections	3

2006/C 007/4	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 not to raise objections	4

2006/C 007/5	Publication of decisions by Member States to grant or revoke operating licences pursuant to Article 13(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 on licensing of air carriers	5

2006/C 007/6	Authorisation of 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 not to raise objections	6

2006/C 007/7	Authorisation of 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 a scheme on tax and fee concessions in favour of Norðurál hf. The proposal has been accepted by Iceland.	7

	EFTA Standing Committee
2006/C 007/8	List of natural mineral waters in Iceland and Norway pursuant to Article 1 of Council Directive 80/777/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters	9