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Official Journal of the European Union, C 67, 18 March 2006

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		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 67

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 49 18 March 2006

Notice No	Contents	page
	I Information
	Council
2006/C 067/1	Council Resolution of 13 March 2006 on a customs response to latest trends in counterfeiting and piracy	1

	Commission
2006/C 067/2	Euro exchange rates	3

2006/C 067/3	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises ( 1 )	4

2006/C 067/4	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises ( 1 )	11

2006/C 067/5	Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the countervailing measures applicable to imports of certain electronic microcircuits known as DRAMs (dynamic random access memories) originating in the Republic of Korea	16

2006/C 067/6	Status of EC accession to UN/ECE regulations in the area of vehicle approval as of 31 December 2005 ( 1 )	18

2006/C 067/7	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4174 — The Coca-Cola Company/Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company/ Fonti del Vulture S.r.l. Traficante) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	22

2006/C 067/8	State aid — Germany — State aid No C 39/2005 (ex NN 36/2005 & N 189/2005) — Exemption from the tax on mineral oils for greenhouses — Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty ( 1 )	23

2006/C 067/9	Interbranch organisation in the fresh fruit and vegetables sector (Communication made under Article 19(7) of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96)	28

2006/C 067/0	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4181 — Blackstone/Center Parcs (UK) Group) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	29

2006/C 067/1	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.4159 — Aegon/Caja Navarra/Seguros Navarra JV) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	30

2006/C 067/2	Initiation of proceedings (Case COMP/M.4009 — CIMC/BURG) ( 1 )	31

2006/C 067/3	COM documents other than legislative proposals adopted by the Commission	32

2006/C 067/4	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.3942 — Adidas/Reebok) ( 1 )	34

2006/C 067/5	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4093 — Toyota Tsusho/Tomen) ( 1 )	34

2006/C 067/6	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4043 — Plastal/Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff) ( 1 )	35

2006/C 067/7	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4111 — Goldman Sachs/Daiwa/SMBC/Sanyo) ( 1 )	35

2006/C 067/8	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.4112 — Cerberus/Goldman Sachs/Wittur) ( 1 )	36

	European Ombudsman
2006/C 067/9	Special Reports to the European Parliament made in accordance with Article 3(7) of the Statute of the European Ombudsman	37

	II Preparatory Acts
	Commission
2006/C 067/0	Legislative proposals adopted by the Commission	38


2006/C 067/1	Notice	s3


	(1) Text with EEA relevance

I Information

Council

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/1

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 13 March 2006

on a customs response to latest trends in counterfeiting and piracy

(2006/C 67/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RECALLING the objectives set by the Lisbon Strategy, as relaunched by the European Council of 22 and 23 March 2005, for the Union ‘to renew the basis of its competitiveness, increase its growth potential and its productivity and strengthen social cohesion, placing the main emphasis on knowledge, innovation and the optimisation of human capital’;

2.	UNDERLINING that the strategic objective set by the European Council can only be achieved through a well-functioning internal market with adequate measures to encourage investment in the knowledge-based economy;

3.	RECOGNISES the threat posed by the serious growth in counterfeiting and piracy to the Union's knowledge-based economy and in particular to health and safety, as well as the key responsibility of customs in protecting the economy and consumers from this threat;

EMPHASIZES that efficient and uniform customs controls to protect legitimate business from unfair competition and knowledge theft are essential to protect Community interests and to counter the risk of distortion of competition. With customs being responsible for the large majority of fake goods seized and having seen customs seizures in the EU increase in the last five years by more than 1000 %, further practical improvements in customs controls will strengthen the protection offered to the economy and consumers;

STRESSES the need to ensure that customs controls and co-operation measures provide maximum protection to the economy and consumers from this dangerous traffic and RECOGNISES that this represents a major challenge which requires improved customs techniques. Meeting this challenge represents, at the same time, a valuable contribution toward promoting fair trade, safeguarding Community and national revenues, protecting consumers and combating organised crime and money laundering;

WELCOMES the Commission Communication on a customs response to counterfeiting and piracy (1) (hereinafter the Communication), in particular

—	the concrete actions to improve customs controls, in particular via the increased exchange of risk management techniques and information, and to strengthen international co-operation, notably with main exporting countries and relevant international organisations;

—	the need to build and promote a strong customs-business partnership, based on commitment from both sides, in tackling the problem of counterfeit and pirated goods;

—	the approach taken to tackling the growing problem of fake goods, in particular those which pose a health and safety risk, via a comprehensive EU Action Plan building on the Communication's concrete actions;

INVITES the Commission to

—	present appropriate proposals to support the implementation of the approach set out in the Communication, paying special attention to enhancing the information exchange both between customs and between customs and operators involved in combating counterfeiting and piracy;

—	to report on the implementation of the Communication and the actions set out therein as part of the annual report foreseen in Article 23 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 (2);

8.	INVITES the Commission and the Member States, within their respective competencies, to implement the comprehensive approach set out in the Communication thereby further improving customs controls and co-operation in order to combat the growing menace of counterfeiting and piracy.

(1) COM(2005) 479 final.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 of 22 July 2003 concerning customs action against goods suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights and the measures to be taken against goods found to have infringed such rights, OJ L 196, 2.8.2003, p. 7.

Commission

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/3

Euro exchange rates (1)

17 March 2006

(2006/C 67/02)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,2185
JPY	Japanese yen	141,47
DKK	Danish krone	7,4616
GBP	Pound sterling	0,69450
SEK	Swedish krona	9,3396
CHF	Swiss franc	1,5735
ISK	Iceland króna	83,98
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,9765
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,5753
CZK	Czech koruna	28,543
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	259,15
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6961
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,8367
RON	Romanian leu	3,5050
SIT	Slovenian tolar	239,53
SKK	Slovak koruna	37,330
TRY	Turkish lira	1,6131
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6669
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4072
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	9,4529
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,9215
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,9696
KRW	South Korean won	1 183,47
ZAR	South African rand	7,5410
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	9,7828
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,3575
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	11 148,67
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,514
PHP	Philippine peso	62,168
RUB	Russian rouble	33,7120
THB	Thai baht	47,491

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/4

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

(2006/C 67/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No:

XS 6/04

Member State

Italy

Region

Lombardy

Title of aid scheme

Plan for incentives to support development — single investment — business development projects.

Legal basis

Legge 27.10.1994, n. 598, art. 11 come modificato ed integrato da:

—	Legge 8.8.1995, n. 341, art. 3;

—	Legge 23.12.1999, n. 488, art. 54;

—	Legge 5.3.2001, n. 57, art. 15;

—	Legge 28.11.1965, n. 1329;

—	Legge 19.12.1983, n. 696, art. 3;

—	Legge 16.2.1987, n. 44;

—	Decreto del Ministro dell'Industria, del Commercio e dell'Artigianato del 21.2.1973;

—	Decreto del Ministro del Tesoro del 30.4.1987;

—	Decreto legislativo 31.3.1998, n. 112, art. 19;

—	Decreto legislativo 31.3.1998, n. 123;

—	Regolamento (CE) n. 70 del 12.1.2001

—	Deliberazione della Giunta Regionale n. 14094 dell'8.8.2003

Annual expenditure planned

EUR 45 000 000

Maximum aid intensity

Up to the ceilings laid down by Community law

Date of implementation

21 December 2003

(no aid will be granted in any event before this summary has been notified to the Commission)

Duration of scheme

31 December 2006

Objective of aid

The aid facilitates the purchase of technologically advanced machinery which will reduce the environmental impact of production, and programmes for increasing productivity, improving ecological conditions relating to production processes, technology upgrading, technology transfer, the renovation, reorganisation and diversification of production and the modification of production cycles.

Economic sectors concerned

SMEs, subject to the exclusions and limitations laid down by the Community rules for the steel industry, shipbuilding, synthetic fibres, motor manufacturing and the transport industry.

The scheme does not apply to activities linked to the production, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to the Treaty.

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Regione Lombardia

Direzione Generale Industria, Piccola e media Impresa

Cooperazione e Turismo

U.O. Servizi alle Imprese

Address:

Via Rosellini, 17

I-20124 Milan

Tel: (39-02) 676 552 94

Fax: (39-02) 676 563 61

Aid No

XS 42/04

Member State

Germany

Region

Brandenburg

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Ministry of Economic Affairs guidelines on research and development projects in small and medium-sized enterprises in Brandenburg

Legal basis

Landeshaushaltsordnung und dazu ergangene Verfahrensvorschriften

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 18 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

From 1 April 2004

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award

Until 31 December 2005

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 des Landes Brandenburg

Address:

Steinstr. 104-106

D-14480 Potsdam

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid No

XS 65/04

Member State

Netherlands

Region

Province of South Holland

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

South Holland Economic Affairs Subsidy Scheme,

Development of the knowledge economy,

South Holland Provincial Bulletin 49, 29 June 2004

Legal basis

Algemene subsidieverordening Zuid-Holland, 1 juni 2004

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 5,8 million (2005);

anticipated in 2006 and following years: EUR 3 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

1.7.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 01.01.2009 (1)

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:

Provincie Zuid-Holland

Address:

Postbus 90602

2509 LP The Hague

Netherlands

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid No

XS 70/04

Member State

Austria

Region

Vienna

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Programme D, Vienna Start-up Initiative, under the rules of the overall Research, Technological Development and Innovation in Vienna scheme

Legal basis

Beschluss des Wiener Gemeinderates folgt; Basis für die Anmeldung ist die Empfehlung des Präsidiums des Wiener Wirtschaftsförderungsfonds unter dem Vorsitz des Wiener Finanz- und Wirtschaftsstadtrates

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 0,3 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

From 1 January 2005

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award

Until 31 December 2006 (with phase-out period to 30 June 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:

Magistrat der Stadt Wien — Magistratsabteilung 5

Address:

A-1082 Vienna, Ebendorferstraße 2, Austria

contact: Robert Mayer-Unterholzner c/o ZT Zentrum für Innovation und Technologie GmbH

A-1010 Vienna

Ebendorferstraße 4

tel. 0043-1-4000-86775

rmu@zit.co.at

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid No

XS 77/04

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

Wales

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Monmouthshire Broadband Infrastructure Support Grant

Legal basis

Section 2 of 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

GBP 110 000

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

From 23.8.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.07.2005

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Limited to specific sectors

Yes

Other services

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Monmouthshire County Council

Address:

County Hall

Cwmbran NP44 2XH

United Kingdom

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid No

XS 133/04

Member State

Poland

Region

All 16 provinces

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Investment aid for SMEs with their registered office in Poland

Legal basis

Art. 6b ust. 2 ustawy z dnia 9 listopada 2000 r. o utworzeniu Polskiej Agencji Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości (Dz.U. z dnia 13 grudnia 2000 r., nr 109, poz. 1158 z późn. zm.).

Rozporządzenie Ministra Gospodarki i pracy z dnia 27 sierpnia 2004 r. w sprawie udzielania przez Polską Agencję Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości pomocy finansowej w ramach Sektorowego Programu Operacyjnego — Wzrost konkurencyjności przedsiębiorstw (Dz.U. z 2004 r., nr 195, poz. 2010 z 7 września 2004 r.) — w zakresie inwestycji

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount (2)

EUR 359,03 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

7.9.2004 — the day on which the Decree entered into force

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Contracted until 31.12.2006, disbursed until 31.12.2008

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:

Chair of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development

Address:

Ul. Pańska 81/83

PL-00-834 Warsaw

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid No

XS 134/04

Member State

Poland

Region

All 16 provinces

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Consultancy aid for SMEs with registered office in Poland

Legal basis

Art. 6b ust. 10 ustawy z dnia 9 listopada 2000 r. o utworzeniu Polskiej Agencji Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości (Dz.U. z dnia 13 grudnia 2000 r., nr 109, poz. 1158 z późn. zm.).

Rozporządzenie Ministra Gospodarki i Pracy z dnia 27 sierpnia 2004 r. w sprawie udzielania przez Polską Agencję Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości pomocy finansowej w ramach Sektorowego Programu Operacyjnego — Wzrost konkurencyjności przedsiębiorstw (Dz.U. z 2004 r., nr 195, poz. 2010 z 7 września 2004 r.) — w zakresie doradztwa

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 33,07 million (3)

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

7.9.2004 — the day on which the Decree entered into force

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006; disbursements until 31.12.2008

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:

Chair of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development

Address

Ul. Pańska 81/83

PL-00-834 Warsaw

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

Aid No

XS 147/04

Member State

Italy

Region

Lombardy

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Automatic tax relief in the form of a ‘final bonus’ for small and medium-sized firms engaged in manufacturing and providing services to industry.

Legal basis

Decreto legge 23 giugno 1995, n. 244, convertito con legge 8 agosto 1995, n. 341,

Legge 7.8.1997 n. 266, art. 8 comma 2

Decreto del Ministero dell'Industria, del Commercio e dell'Artigianato n. 446 del 28.10.1998:

Delibera Giunta regionale n. VII/11386 del 29.11.2002

Delibera Giunta regionale n. VI/15480 del 5.12.2003

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

EUR 3m

Maximum aid intensity

7,5 % for medium-sized firms and 15 % for small firms. In Art. 87,3(c) areas: up to 14 % for medium-sized firms and up to 18 % for small firms.

Date of implementation

15.12.2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 30 June 2007, pursuant to Art. 10 of Regulation No 70/2001.

Objective of aid

The scheme is designed to support productive (initial) investment by granting tax bonuses.

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Yes

The following sectors are excluded: steel, shipbuilding, transport and the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products (Annex I to EC Treaty) and fisheries, as well as the other activities excluded or limited under the State aid rules.

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Regione Lombardia Direzione Generale Industria, Piccola e Media Impresa Cooperazione e Turismo

U.O. Servizi alle Imprese

Address:

Via Tramelli, 20

I-20124 Milan

Tel. (39-02) 676 552 94

Fax (39-02) 676 566 1

Further information

This scheme follows on from that provided for in Art. 8 of Law No 266/97 which was notified at the time by the Italian authorities but which has now lapsed.

Aid No

XS 37/05

Member State

Spain

Region

Castile-Leon

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Support to SMEs in obtaining tax incentives for research and development (R&D) and technological innovation (TI)

Legal basis

ACUERDO de 2 de febrero de 2005, del Consejo Rector de la Agencia de Desarrollo Económico de Castilla y León, por el que se aprueban las bases de la convocatoria para la concesión de determinadas ayudas o incentivos de la Agencia de Desarrollo Económico de Castilla y León para 2005 cofinanciados con fondos estructurales — Línea 4 A), Apoyo a las Pymes para la obtención de incentivos fiscales por la realización de actividades de investigación y desarrollo (I+D) e innovación tecnológica (IT), publicado en el Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León no 27 de 09/02/2005.

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 600 000

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

(Art. 5)

Date of implementation

3.1.2005

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:

ADE — Agencia de Desarrollo Económico de Castilla y León

Address:

C/ Duque de la Victoria 23 (47001)

E-Valladolid

Large individual aid grants

In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

(1) The scheme and all individual measures based on it lasting beyond 31 December 2006 will be adapted in accordance with the rules applicable following a review of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001. The obligation includes to inform the European Commission of amendments pursuant to Regulation 70/2001 or its successor.

(2) EUR 359,03 million earmarked for the contractual period to 31 December 2006

(3) EUR 33,07 million earmarked for the contractual period to 31 December 2006

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/11

(2006/C 67/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No

XS 5/04

Member State

Germany

Region

Saxony

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

Guideline of the Saxony State Ministry of the Environment and Agriculture on support under the agricultural investment promotion programme

Guideline No 21/2003 of 25 June 2003

Point 2.1.3 in conjunction with point 5.1

Legal basis

Richtlinie des Sächsischen Staatsministeriums für Umwelt und Landwirtschaft für die Förderung nach dem Agrarinvestitionsförderungsprogramm (AFP)

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

EUR 0,5 million

Maximum aid intensity

40 %

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2004

Objective of aid

In order to maintain a vigorous, multi-functional agricultural sector, investment measures by agricultural holdings must be supported. By diversifying sources of income in activities close to agriculture, the economic strength of the countryside should be increased and holdings should be placed on a broader economic basis

Economic sector(s) concerned

All economic sectors

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft

Address:

Söbrigener Straße 3a

D-01326 Dresden

Other information

Text of guideline:

http://www.smul.sachsen.de/de/wu/aktuell/foerderung/ downloads/Ga2103.pdf

Aid No

XS 11/04

Member State

Germany

Region

Lower Saxony (Visselhövede)

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Amendment of 18 December 2003 to the Directive of the City of Visselhövede of 25 February 2003 on the joint financing of assistance to individual firms under the Lower Saxony Objective 2 programme for the 2000-06 assistance period

Legal basis

§ 108 der Niedersächsischen Landkreisordnung (NLO) in der Fassung vom 22.08.1996 (Niedersächsisches Gesetz- und Verordnungsblatt S. 365) i. V. mit § 65 der Niedersächsischen Gemeindeordnung (NGO) in der Fassung vom 22.08.1996 (Niedersächsisches Gesetz- und Verordnungsblatt S. 382)

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount EUR 0,3 million

Individual aid

Maximum aid intensity

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

Yes

Date of implementation

1.1.2004 — extension

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2005

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:

Stadt Visselhövede

Address:

Marktplatz 2

D-27374 Visselhövede

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 13/04

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

The Assisted Areas and the Enterprise Grant areas of England.

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Enterprise Grant Scheme

Legal basis

Industrial Development Act 1982, Sections 7 and 8

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

GBP 11 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

19.1.2004

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2006

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:

Department of Trade and Industry, Small Business Service

Address:

Berkeley House

Cross Lanes

Guildford GU1 1YA

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

Not applicable

Aid Number

XS 28/2004

Member State

Italy

Region

Valle d'Aosta

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Consultancy aid to SMEs, pursuant to measure D3 of the regional operational programme (ROP) for structural measures taken by the region of Valle d'Aosta to meet Objective 3 in the period 2000-06

Legal basis

Deliberazione di giunta regionale n. 1063 del 25.3.2003

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 235 373,70

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

1.10.2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2004

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Limited to specific sectors

—	All manufacturing

Yes

Name and address of the granting authority

Name:

Regione autonoma Valle d'Aosta — Dipartimento Industria, artigianato ed energia dell'assessorato Attività produttive e politiche del lavoro.

Address:

Piazza della Repubblica, n. 15

I-Aosta

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 87/04

Member State

Italy

Region

Campania

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

‘Investment contract’ as part of Integrated Design.

Legal basis

POR Campania 2000-2006 approvato dalla Commissione Europea con decisione C(2000) 2347 dell'8 agosto 2000 e s.m.i.

Complemento di Programmazione, misure 1.12, 4.2 e 4.5

Disciplinare del ‘Contratto di investimento’ nell'ambito della Progettazione integrata approvato con Deliberazione di Giunta Regionale N. 578 del 16.4.2004.

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 42 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

20.9.2004

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:

Regione Campania

Area Generale di Coordinamento n.12

‘Sviluppo Attività Settore Secondario’

Dirigente pro tempore Settore

‘Sviluppo e Promozione dell'Attività Industriali’, responsabile della misura 4.2 .

Address:

Centro Direzionale -Isola A6

I-Napoli

Telefono (081) 796 68 09

(081) 796 68 10

fax (081) 796 60 33

e-mail: asse4.mis4.2cdp@regione.campania.it

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,

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

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/16

Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the countervailing measures applicable to imports of certain electronic microcircuits known as DRAMs (dynamic random access memories) originating in the Republic of Korea

(2006/C 67/05)

The Commission has decided on its own initiative to initiate a partial interim review pursuant to Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2026/97 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Community (1) (‘the basic Regulation’). The review is limited in scope to the examination of subsidisation as far as Hynix Semiconductor Inc. is concerned.

1. Product under review

The product under review is certain electronic integrated circuits known as Dynamic Random Access Memories (DRAMs) manufactured using variations of metal oxide-semiconductors (MOS) process technology, including complementary MOS types (CMOS), of all types, densities, variations, access speed, configuration, package or frame, etc. originating in the Republic of Korea (‘the product concerned’). DRAMs defined in the preceding paragraph take the following forms:

—	DRAM wafers falling within CN code ex 8542 21 01 (Taric code 8542210110),

—	DRAM chips (dies) falling within CN code ex 8542 21 05 (Taric code 8542210510),

—	Mounted DRAMs falling within CN codes 8542 21 11, 8542 21 13, 8542 21 15 and 8542 21 17,

—	Multi-combinational forms of DRAMs (memory modules, memory boards or other aggregate forms) falling within CN codes ex 8473 30 10 (Taric code 8473301010), ex 8473 50 10 (Taric code 8473501010) and ex 8548 90 10 (Taric code 8548901010),

—

Chips and/or mounted DRAMs incorporated in multi-combinational forms of DRAMs provided the multi-combinational form of DRAM is originating in countries other than the Republic of Korea, falling within CN codes ex 8473 30 10 (Taric code 8473301010), ex 8473 50 10 (Taric code 8473501010) and ex 8548 90 10 (Taric code 8548901010).

These CN codes are given only for information.

2. Existing measures

The measure currently in force on imports of DRAMs from Hynix Semiconductor Inc. is a definitive countervailing duty imposed by Council Regulation (EC) No 1480/2003 (2) on imports of DRAMs originating in the Republic of Korea as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 2116/2005 (3).

3. Grounds for the review

The Commission has received information from Hynix Semiconductor Inc. in which it is argued that the effects of all the subsidies that were found to be countervailable in the investigation that led to the imposition of measures by Regulation (EC) No 1480/2003 have ceased to exist.

On the other hand, the Commission received information from the Community producers, Infineon Technologies AG and Micron Europe Ltd, arguing that the existing measure on imports of the product under review from Hynix Semiconductor Inc. at its present level is no longer sufficient to counteract the subsidisation which is causing injury. It is argued that the subsidy amount has increased above the 34,8 % which is currently applicable to imports of DRAMs produced by Hynix Semiconductor Inc. It is alleged that Hynix Semiconductor Inc. benefits from a number of new subsidies granted by the Government of the Republic of Korea subsequent to the original period of investigation (2001). These alleged subsidies consist of a debt roll-over, a debt-to-equity swap, changes in interest payment conditions, loans by Government owned or directed banks to finance asset transfers, a capital write down plan, a cash-buyout plan, term loans and a revolving credit Agreement. These subsidies allegedly continue the trend of countervailable subsidies being granted by the Government of the Republic of Korea to Hynix Semiconductor Inc., which are causing injury and, therefore, the existing measure appears not to be, or no longer to be, sufficient to counteract them.

It is alleged that the above schemes are subsidies since they involve a financial contribution from the Government of the Republic of Korea and confer a benefit to Hynix Semiconductor Inc. They are alleged to be limited to Hynix Semiconductor Inc. only, and therefore specific and countervailable. It is finally alleged that the measure in force is no longer adequate to counteract these countervailable subsidies.

In light of the above, the Commission considers that, as far as subsidisation of Hynix Semiconductor Inc. is concerned, there is sufficient prima facie evidence that the circumstances with regard to subsidization have changed significantly and, therefore, the measure in force should be reviewed.

4. Procedure

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of a partial interim review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 19 of the basic Regulation.

If it is determined that the measure in force on imports of DRAMs produced by Hynix Semiconductor Inc. should be amended, the extent to which the rate of duty applicable to imports produced by all other companies as set out in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1480/2003 requires to be amended shall also be reviewed.

(a) Questionnaires

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to Hynix Semiconductor Inc., to the Korean authorities and any known financial institutions concerned. This information and supporting evidence should reach the Commission within the time limit set in point 5(a) of this notice.

(b) Collection of information and holding of hearings

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 paragraph 5(a) 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 paragraph 5(b) of this notice.

5. Time limits

(a) 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.

(b) Hearings

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

6. 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 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’ (4) and, in accordance with Article 29(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

7. 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 28 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 28 of the basic Regulation, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

(1) OJ L 288, 21.10.97, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 461/2004 (OJ L 77, 13.3.2004, p. 12).

(2) OJ L 212, 22.8.2003, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 340, 23.12.2005, p. 7.

(4) 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 (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 29 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2026/97 (OJ L 288, 21.10.1997, p. 1) and Article 12 of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/18

Status of EC accession to UN/ECE regulations in the area of vehicle approval as of 31 December 2005

(2006/C 67/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

The Commission publishes hereafter a table summarising the state of UN/ECE regulations as last amended (annexed in the 1958 Agreement concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions) to which the EC has acceded as of 31 December 2005.

Regulation number	Series of amendments (1) (2)	Supplements to the series (1) (2)	Short title of Regulation
1	2	—	Asymmetric headlamps (R2 and/or HS1)
3	2	9	Retro-reflecting devices
4	0	10	Rear registration-plate lamp
5	2	—	Asymmetric headlamps (Sealed Beam)
6	1	12	Direction indicators
7	2	8	End-outline marker-, front/rear position-,side-,stop- lamps (M, N and O)
8	5	—	Headlamps (H1, H2, H3, HB3, HB4, H7, H8, H9, HIR1, HIR2 and/or H11)
10	2	2	Electro-magnetic compatibility
11	2	—	Door latches and hinges
12	3	3	Behaviour of steering device under impact
13	10	—	Braking (categories M, N and O)
13H	0	3	Braking (passenger cars)
14	6	1	Seat-belt anchorages
16	4	16	Seat belts
17	7	1	Seat strength
18	3	—	Anti-theft
19	2	9	Front fog lamps
20	3	—	Asymmetric headlamps (H4)
21	1	3	Interior fittings
22	5	1	Protective helmets and visors for motorcyclists
23	0	10	Reversing lamps
24	3	2	Diesel smoke and power
25	4	—	Head restraints
26	3	—	External projections
27	3	—	Advance warning triangles
28	00	3	Audible warning devices
30	2	13	Tyres (motor vehicles and their trailers)
31	2	—	Asymmetric headlamps (halogen sealed beam)
34	2	1	Fire risks
37	3	25	Filament lamps
38	0	9	Rear fog lamps
39	0	4	Speedometer
43	0	8	Safety glazing
44	4	—	Child restraint system
45	1	4	Headlamp cleaners
46	2	—	Rear-view mirrors
48	2	10	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (M, N and O)
49	4	—	Emissions (diesel, NG & LPG)
50	00	7	Front/rear position-, stop-lamps, direction indicators, rear registration-plate lamps (L)
51	2	3	Sound levels (M and N)
53	1	5	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (L3)
54	0	16	Tyres (commercial vehicles and their trailers)
56	1	—	Headlamps (mopeds)
57	2	—	Headlamps (motorcycles)
58	1	—	Rear underrun protective device
59	0	—	Replacement silencing systems
60	0	2	Driver operated controls — identification of controls, tell-tales and indicators (moped/motorcycles)
62	0	1	Anti-theft (moped/motorcycles)
64	0	2	Tyres (temporary use spare wheels/tyres)
66	0	—	Strength of superstructure (buses)
67	1	5	LPG equipment
69	1	2	Rear marking plates for slow moving vehicles
70	1	3	Rear marking plates for heavy and long vehicles
71	00	—	Field of vision, agricultural tractors
72	1	—	Headlamps (HS1) (motorcycles)
73	0	—	Lateral protection (goods vehicles and their trailers)
74	1	3	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (L1)
75	0	11	Tyres (motorcycles/mopeds)
77	0	8	Parking lamps
78	2	3	Braking (category L)
79	1	3	Steering equipment
80	1	2	Strength of seats and their anchorages (large passenger vehicles)
81	0	—	Rear-view mirrors (motorcycles/mopeds)
82	1	—	Headlamps (HS2 moped)
83	5	5	Emissions
85	0	4	Power — internal combustion and electric (M and N)
86	0	2	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (agricultural tractors)
87	0	6	Daytime running lamps
89	0	1	Speed limitation devices
90	1	5	Replacement brake linings and their assemblies
91	0	7	Side marker lamps
93	1	3	Front underrun protective devices
96	1	2	Diesel emission (agricultural tractors)
97	1	2	Alarm systems
98	0	5	Headlamps with gas-discharge light sources
99	0	2	Gas-discharge light sources
100	0	1	Electric vehicle safety
101	0	6	CO2 emission/fuel consumption (M1) and electric energy consumption and range (M1 and N1)
102	0	—	Close coupling devices
103	0	2	Replacement catalytic converters
104	0	2	Retro-reflective markings (heavy and long vehicles)
105	3	—	Carriage of dangerous goods — construction of vehicles
106	0	3	Tyres (agricultural vehicles)
108	0	2	Retreaded tyres (motor vehicles and their trailers)
109	0	2	Retreaded tyres (commercial vehicles and their trailers)
110	0	3	Compressed natural gas systems
111	0	1	Roll-over stability of tank vehicles (N and O)
112	0	4	Asymmetrical headlamps (filament lamps)
113	0	3	Symmetrical headlamps (filament lamps)
114	0	—	Replacement airbags
115	0	—	LPG-CNG retrofit systems
116	0	—	Unauthorised use (anti-theft and alarm systems)
117	0	—	Tyres — rolling resistance
118	0	—	Fire resistance of interior materials
119	0	—	Cornering lamps
120	0	—	Power — internal combustion (agricultural tractors and mobile machinery)
[121] (3)	0	—	hand controls, tell-tales and indicators
[122] (3)	0	—	heating systems

(1) This column lists the latest amendment to the Regulation concerned that the European Communities has acceded to by 31.12.2005. Some of the more recent series of amendments or supplements to the series of amendments will enter into force after that date. The date of entry into force of these amendments should be checked in the latest version of the UN-ECE status document TRANS/WP.29/343/Rev.xx, available at:

http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29gen/wp29fdocstts.html.

(2) All relevant corrigenda up until 31.12.2005 have also been adopted, unless otherwise indicated.

(3) This Regulation has not entered into force as of 31.12.2005.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/22

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4174 — The Coca-Cola Company/Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company/ Fonti del Vulture S.r.l. ‘Traficante’)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 67/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 9 March 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings The Coca-Cola Company (‘TCCC’, USA) and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. (‘CCHBC’, Greece) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Fonti del Vulture S.r.l.) (‘Traficante’, Italy) by purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for TCCC: brand owner and supplier of soft drink concentrates;

—	for CCHBC: licensed bottler that produces and sells TCCC-branded beverages;

—	for Traficante: bottling and marketing mineral waters in principal in southern Italy.

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.4174 — TCCC/CCHBC/Traficante, 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.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/23

STATE AID — GERMANY

State aid No C 39/2005 (ex NN 36/2005 & N 189/2005) — Exemption from the tax on mineral oils for greenhouses

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

(2006/C 67/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

By means of the letter dated 20 October 2005 reproduced in the authentic language on the pages following this summary, the Commission notified Germany of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty concerning part of the above-mentioned aid measure.

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

European Commission

Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

Directorate H.2

Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, 130

B-1049 Brussels

Fax No: (32-2) 296 76 72

These comments will be communicated to Germany. 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

I. Procedure

In the course of the examination of State Aid No N 499/01 (continuation of the eco-tax reform), the Commission learned that Germany had introduced, prior to this reform, two non-notified tax exemptions in favour of the agriculture sector: one on diesel fuel used in agriculture and one on heating materials used in greenhouses and covered establishments. The law on the eco-tax provided for a two-year extension of the greenhouse measure.

Additional information was submitted by Germany on the above tax exemptions by letters of 29 August 2001, 12 February 2003, 7 June 2005 and 2 August 2005. A State aid dossier was opened in the meantime under the number NN 36/2005.

By letter of 19 April 2005, registered as received on 20 April 2005, Germany notified a new measure extending the original tax exemption scheme for greenhouses to the years 2005 and 2006. As the content of the measures is identical, they have been assessed together. The decision only concerns the tax exemption for greenhouses.

II. Description

In 2001, Germany introduced a reduced standard rate of mineral oil tax on heating materials (heating fuel, methane, liquid gas) used in greenhouses. This tax exemption was granted in form of a tax refund (Vergütung). The measure was implemented until 2004.

III. Assessment

This measure constitutes State aid. The German authorities maintain that it can benefit from the derogation laid down in the Council Directives on the taxation of energy products (Directive 92/81 EC, replaced as from 2003 by Directive 96/2003). According to these directives, Member States may apply reduced rates of taxation to energy products used in horticulture.

However, the Commission does not share this view. The energy products directives, in particular Directive 96/2003, specify that tax measures introduced by Member States must be compatible with Community law, and that the derogatory provisions of the directives are without prejudice to competition rules. The measures should not be detrimental to the proper functioning of the internal market and should not result in distortions of competition.

Therefore, the Commission takes the view that competition rules must take priority over the possibility for Member States to provide preferential fiscal treatment. In the case at hand, there seems to be no legal basis in State aid legislation to authorize this measure.

It should be pointed out that this exemption is highly selective, in that it differentiates, even within horticulture, between open field and greenhouse producers.

Moreover, this aid appears to be particularly distortive, since a reduction of the fiscal burden on energy products in a high energy-intensive sector such as greenhouse horticulture has a direct impact on production costs and therefore on competitiveness.

The Commission considers, at this stage, that this measure may constitute operating aid incompatible, in principle, with the common market.

On the basis of these considerations, the Commission has decided to initiate the procedure provided for by article 88(2) of the EC treaty in respect of the above measure.

In accordance with Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, all unlawful aid can be subject to recovery from the recipient. Furthermore, expenditure on national measures directly affecting Community measures might not be eligible for cover by the EAGGF budget.

TEXT OF LETTER

‘Die Kommission setzt Deutschland mit diesem Schreiben davon in Kenntnis, dass sie nach Prüfung der von den deutschen Behörden übermittelten Informationen zu der eingangs genannten Beihilfe beschlossen hat, wegen der betreffenden Maßnahme das Verfahren gemäß Artikel 88 Absatz 2 EG-Vertrag einzuleiten.

I. VERFAHREN

(1)

Bei der Prüfung der staatlichen Beihilfe Nr. N 499/01 (Fortentwicklung der ökologischen Steuerreform) haben die Dienststellen der Kommission erfahren, dass Deutschland vor der Ökosteuerreform zwei nicht notifizierte Steuerbefreiungen zugunsten des Agrarsektors vorgenommen hat, nämlich für in der Landwirtschaft verwendeten Dieselkraftstoff (Agrardiesel) und für Brennstoffe zur Verwendung im Unterglasanbau. Das Ökosteuergesetz sah eine Verlängerung der Maßnahme zugunsten von Unterglasanbaubetrieben um zwei Jahre vor.

(2)	In ihrem Schreiben vom 27. Juli 2001 betreffend die Beihilfe Nr. N 499/01 ersuchte die Kommission Deutschland um Informationen über diese nicht notifizierten Maßnahmen. Diese Informationen wurden mit Schreiben vom 29. August 2001 übermittelt.

(3)	Am 30. August 2001 fand ein Treffen zwischen Deutschland und den Kommissionsdienststellen statt.

(4)

Mit Entscheidung C (2002) 441 endg. COR vom 13. Februar 2002 genehmigte die Kommission die zweite Phase der ökologischen Steuerreform im Rahmen der Beihilfe Nr. N 449/2001. In dieser Entscheidung hieß es allerdings, dass die Genehmigung der Regelung sich nicht auf die Steuerbefreiung für Gewächshäuser bezieht und die Kommission sich das Recht vorbehält, die Maßnahme erneut zu prüfen.

(5)	Mit Schreiben vom 6. Januar 2003 ersuchte die Kommission Deutschland, alle Informationen zu übermitteln, die sie benötigt, um die Vereinbarkeit der betreffenden Steuerbefreiungen mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt beurteilen zu können.

(6)	Mit Schreiben vom 12. Februar 2003, das am 17. Februar 2003 eingetragen wurde, übermittelte Deutschland die betreffenden Informationen.

(7)	Da Deutschland die vorgenannten Steuerbefreiungen nicht gemäß Artikel 88 Absatz 3 EG-Vertrag notifiziert hat, wurde eine Beihilfesache unter der Nummer NN 36/2005 eingetragen.

(8)

Mit Schreiben vom 19. April 2005, das am 20. April 2005 eingetragen wurde, notifizierte Deutschland eine neue Maßnahme, mit der die ursprüngliche Regelung für die Steuerbefreiung für Unterglasanbaubetriebe auf die Jahre 2005 und 2006 ausgedehnt wurde. Diese Maßnahme enthält eine Suspensivklausel, die die Durchführung der Maßnahme von ihrer Genehmigung durch die Kommission abhängig macht. Die Beihilfesache wurde unter der Nummer N 189/2005 eingetragen.

(9)	Deutschland unterbreitete zusätzliche Informationen mit Schreiben vom 7. Juni 2005, eingetragen am 8. Juni 2005, und mit Schreiben vom 2. August 2005, eingetragen am 8. August 2005.

(10)	Da die Maßnahmen für den Unterglasanbau inhaltlich identisch sind, werden die staatlichen Beihilfen Nrn. NN 36/2005 und N 189/2005 gemeinsam geprüft.

(11)	Diese Entscheidung betrifft nur die Steuerbefreiung für Unterglasanbaubetriebe.

II. BESCHREIBUNG

Rechtsgrundlage

(12)	Mineralölsteuergesetz vom 21. Dezember 1992 (BGB1. I 2150, 2185, 1993 I S. 169, 2000 I S. 147, 2003 I S. 96), zuletzt geändert durch Artikel des Gesetzes vom 25. Juni 2004 (BGB1 I S. 1381, 2105);

(13)	Gesetz zur Änderung des Mineralölsteuergesetzes vom 16.08.2001 (BGBI I S. 2091);

(14)	Gesetz zur Fortentwicklung der ökologischen Steuerreform (BGB1. IS 4602);

Beihilfeempfänger

(15)	Unterglasanbaubetriebe und Betreiber, die in geschlossenen Kulturräumen (1) erzeugen.

Ausführliche Beschreibung der Beihilfemaßnahmen

(16)	Mit dem Gesetz zur Änderung des Mineralölsteuergesetzes führte Deutschland am 16. August 2001 eine zweijährige Steuerermäßigung für Brennstoffe (Heizöl, Erdgas, Flüssiggas) zur Verwendung im Unterglasanbau und in geschlossenen Kulturräumen ein. Die Beihilfe wurde in Form einer Vergütung gewährt.

(17)	Mit dem Gesetz zur Fortentwicklung der ökologischen Steuerreform wurde die Vergütung, die ursprünglich für zwischen dem 1. Januar 2001 und dem 31. Dezember 2002 verwendete Brennstoffe gewährt worden war, bis 31. Dezember 2004 verlängert.

(18)	Deutschland beabsichtigt, diese Steuerbefreiung bis Ende 2006 beizubehalten und hat die Verlängerungsmaßnahme als staatliche Beihilfe N 189/2005 notifiziert.

(19)

Es kommen folgende Vergütungssätze zur Anwendung:

—	Heizöl: 0,0409 EUR/l (0,08 DM/l)

—	Erdgas: 1,841 EUR/MWh (3,6 DM/MWh)

—	Flüssiggas: 25,565 EUR/t (50 DM/t).

(20)	Die nachstehenden Tabellen veranschaulichen die finanziellen Auswirkungen der Steuerbefreiung für den Unterglasanbau im Vergleich zum übrigen Agrarsektor.

(21)

Mineralölsteuersätze, die für im Agrarsektor verwendete Brennstoffe gelten:

	2001	2002	Seit 2003
Heizöl	120,00 DEM/1 000 l	61,35 EUR/1 000 l	61,35 EUR/1 000 l
Erdgas	6,80 DEM/MWh	3,476 EUR/MWh	5,50 EUR/MWh
Flüssiggas	75,00 DEM/1 000 kg	38,34 EUR/1 000 kg	60,60 EUR/1 000 kg

(22)

Ermäßigte Mineralölsteuersätze für dieselben, im Unterglasanbau verwendeten Brennstoffe:

	2001	2002	Seit 2003
Heizöl	80,00 DEM/1 000 l	40,90 EUR/1 000 l	40,90 EUR/1 000 l
Erdgas	3,60 DEM/MWh	1,84 EUR/MWh	3,00 EUR/MWh
Flüssiggas	50,00 DEM/1 000 kg	25,56 EUR/1 000 kg	38,90 EUR/1 000 kg

(23)

Steuereinsparungen für den Unterglasanbau (2) insgesamt:

	2001	2002	2003	2004
Heizöl	0,400 Mio. DEM	10,203 Mio. EUR	11,250 Mio. EUR	10,098 Mio. EUR
Erdgas	0,010 Mio. DEM	3,711 Mio. EUR	3,818 Mio. EUR	5,487 Mio. EUR
Flüssiggas	0,001 Mio. DEM	0,062 Mio. EUR	0,064 Mio. EUR	0,137 Mio. EUR

III. WÜRDIGUNG

Vorliegen einer Beihilfe im Sinne von Artikel 87 Absatz 1 EG-Vertrag

(24)

Artikel 87 EG-Vertrag zufolge sind staatliche Beihilfen (1) von einem Mitgliedstaat oder aus staatlichen Mitteln gewährte Beihilfen, (2) die durch die Begünstigung bestimmter Unternehmen, (3) den Wettbewerb verfälschen, (4) soweit sie den Handel zwischen Mitgliedstaaten beeinträchtigen. Damit eine Maßnahme eine staatliche Beihilfe darstellt, müssen alle Kriterien erfüllt sein.

(25)	Derzeit erfüllt die Vergütung zugunsten des Unterglasanbaus offensichtlich die Kriterien des Artikels 87 Absatz 1 auf der Grundlage folgender Überlegungen:

(26)	Die Maßnahme hat offensichtlich eine Übertragung staatlicher Mittel in Form eines Verzichts auf Steuereinnahmen zur Folge.

(27)	Die Steuerbefreiung gilt nicht für den gesamten Agrarsektor, sondern unterscheidet, sogar innerhalb des Gartenbausektors, zwischen Unterglasanbau (3) und Freilanderzeugung. Die Maßnahme ist daher äußerst selektiv.

(28)

Die Maßnahme gewährt den Unterglasanbaubetrieben einen finanziellen Vorteil, da sie im Gegensatz zum übrigen Agrarsektor die Mineralölsteuer nicht in voller Höhe zu entrichten haben. Dadurch wird die Wettbewerbsstellung dieser Betriebe gegenüber anderen Gartenbaubetrieben in der Gemeinschaft, die eine solche Beihilfe nicht erhalten können, verbessert.

(29)

Die Maßnahme kann sich auf den innergemeinschaftlichen Handel auswirken und den Wettbewerb auf dem Markt für Gartenbauerzeugnisse (sowohl Unterglasanbau als auch Freilanderzeugung) verzerren, der in der Europäischen Union (4) stark wettbewerbsorientiert ist, wie das Bestehen einer gemeinsamen Marktorganisation zeigt.

(30)

Zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt fällt die Maßnahme daher offensichtlich unter das generelle Verbot staatlicher Beihilfen gemäß Artikel 87 Absatz 1 EG-Vertrag und kann nur dann als mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt vereinbar angesehen werden, wenn sie für eine der im Vertrag vorgesehenen Ausnahmeregelungen in Betracht kommt.

Vereinbarkeit der Beihilfe

(31)

Zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt dürfte die einzige in Frage kommende Ausnahme zu der notifizierten Regelung die in Artikel 87 Absatz 3 Buchstabe c vorgesehene Regelung sein; demnach kann die Kommission eine Beihilfe als mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt vereinbar ansehen, wenn sie der Förderung der Entwicklung gewisser Wirtschaftszweige oder Wirtschaftsgebiete dient, soweit sie die Handelsbedingungen nicht in einer Weise verändert, die dem gemeinsamen Interesse zuwiderläuft.

(32)

Damit die Maßnahme die Voraussetzungen für diese Ausnahme erfüllt, muss dafür eine Rechtsgrundlage in den Gemeinschaftsvorschriften gefunden werden. Generell wird eine Beihilfe für den Agrarsektor unter Berücksichtigung des Gemeinschaftsrahmens für staatliche Beihilfen im Agrarsektor (5) (nachstehend ‚Rahmenregelung für den Agrarsektor‘ genannt) bewertet.

(33)	Deutschland führte in seinem Schreiben vom 8. Juni 2005 aus, dass der Rahmenregelung jedoch im EG-Vertrag oder dem sekundären Gemeinschaftsrecht vorgesehene Sonderregelungen vorgehen (siehe Abschnitt 3.4 der Rahmenregelung).

(34)

Deutschland behauptet, dass im vorliegenden Fall eine solche Ausnahme in der Richtlinie 92/81/EWG vom 19. Oktober 1992 zur Harmonisierung der Struktur der Verbrauchsteuern auf Mineralöle vorgesehen ist, die durch die Richtlinie 2003/96/EG zur Restrukturierung der gemeinschaftlichen Rahmenvorschriften zur Besteuerung von Energieerzeugnissen und elektrischem Strom (6) (nachstehend als ‚Richtlinien über die Besteuerung von Energieprodukten‘ bezeichnet) ersetzt wurde.

(35)

In Artikel 8 Absatz 2 der Richtlinie 92/81/EWG heißt es: ‚Unbeschadet anderer Gemeinschaftsvorschriften können die Mitgliedstaaten uneingeschränkte oder eingeschränkte Steuerbefreiungen oder Steuersatzermäßigungen für Mineralöle gewähren, welche unter Steueraufsicht verwendet werden: (…) ausschließlich bei Arbeiten in Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau, in der Forstwirtschaft sowie bei der Inlandsfischerei‘.

(36)

Artikel 15 Absatz 3 der Richtlinie 2003/96/EG, die die Richtlinie 92/81/EWG ersetzte, enthält eine ähnliche Bestimmung: ‚Die Mitgliedstaaten können einen bis zu Null gehenden Steuerbetrag auf Energieerzeugnisse und elektrischen Strom anwenden, die für Arbeiten in Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau, in der Fischzucht und in der Forstwirtschaft verwendet werden‘.

(37)	Deutschland zufolge ist diese Richtlinie die Rechtsgrundlage, die es der Kommission ermöglichen würde, die in Rede stehenden staatlichen Beihilfemaßnahmen zu genehmigen.

(38)	Die Kommission hat jedoch Bedenken zu dieser Darstellung, und zwar aus folgenden Gründen:

(39)	Der Rat kann in der Tat bestimmte Beihilfen als mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt vereinbar erklären; er hat dies im Agrarsektor wiederholt getan, in der Regel in Form von Ratsverordnungen.

(40)

Im vorliegenden Fall allerdings ist in beiden Richtlinien ausdrücklich festgelegt, dass die steuerlichen Maßnahmen, die die Mitgliedstaaten aufgrund dieser Richtlinien verabschieden können, unbeschadet anderer Gemeinschaftsvorschriften durchgeführt werden müssen. Was unter anderen Gemeinschaftsvorschriften zu verstehen ist, wird insbesondere in den Erwägungsgründen 15 und 24 der Richtlinie 2003/96/EG weiter verdeutlicht, in denen festgelegt ist, dass Maßnahmen, mit denen unterschiedliche Steuersätze eingeführt werden, im Einklang mit den Regeln des Binnenmarktes und des Wettbewerb stehen müssen, um nicht zu Wettbewerbsverzerrungen zu führen.

(41)	Demnach soll den Wettbewerbsregeln offensichtlich größere Priorität eingeräumt werden als der Möglichkeit der Mitgliedstaaten, Steuervergünstigungen innerhalb der in den Richtlinien über die Besteuerung von Energieprodukten festgelegten Grenzen zu gewähren.

(42)

Die Anwendung der Wettbewerbsregeln wird überdies in Artikel 26 der Richtlinie 2003/96/EG bekräftigt, in dem die Mitgliedstaaten darauf hingewiesen werden, dass sie auf der Grundlage dieser Richtlinie getroffene Maßnahmen wie Steuerbefreiungen gemäß Artikel 88 Absatz 3 EG-Vertrag mitteilen müssen, insofern sie staatliche Beihilfen darstellen. In diesem Artikel heißt es ausdrücklich, dass die der Kommission auf der Grundlage dieser Richtlinie übermittelten Informationen die Mitgliedstaaten nicht von der Mitteilungspflicht im Sinne von Artikel 88 Absatz 3 des Vertrags entbinden.

(43)	Daher ist die Kommission in diesem Stadium der Auffassung, dass die betreffenden Steuerbefreiungen nicht auf der Grundlage der Richtlinien alleine gerechtfertigt werden können, sondern auch mit den Vorschriften für staatliche Beihilfen vereinbar sein müssen..

(44)

Gegenwärtig enthalten die Vorschriften für staatliche Beihilfen allem Anschein nach keine Bestimmung, die es den Mitgliedstaaten ermöglichen würde, solche steuerlichen Vergünstigungen zu gewähren, die an keinerlei Bedingungen gebunden sind und daher offensichtlich eine Betriebsbeihilfe darstellen, die mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt unvereinbar ist.

(45)

Es sei darauf hingewiesen, dass steuerliche Vergünstigungen, wie sie Deutschland beschlossen hat, besonders wettbewerbsverzerrend sein dürften, da sich eine geringere steuerliche Belastung von Energieprodukten in einem sehr energieintensiven Wirtschaftszweig wie dem Unterglasanbau unmittelbar auf die Produktionskosten und somit auf die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit auswirkt.

(46)

Bei der Einführung der Vergütung in Deutschland wurde in den Erläuterungen zu dem Gesetz zur Änderung des Mineralölsteuergesetzes ausdrücklich darauf hingewiesen, dass die Wettbewerbsstellung des Unterglasanbaus in Deutschland gegenüber den Niederlanden verbessert werden soll, wo aufgrund eines günstigen Liefervertrags niedrige Gaspreise praktiziert werden.

(47)	Des Weiteren unterscheidet die Maßnahme innerhalb des Gartenbausektors offensichtlich zwischen Freilanderzeugung und Unterglasanbau, weshalb sie äußerst selektiv und daher stärker wettbewerbsverzerrend ist als eine Maßnahme, die den gesamten Gartenbausektor betrifft.

(48)	Auf der Grundlage dieser Bewertung, aus der deutlich wird, dass die Kommission ernsthaft bezweifelt, ob die Vergütung zugunsten des Unterglasanbaus mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt vereinbar ist, hat die Kommission beschlossen, wegen dieser Maßnahme das förmliche Prüfverfahren einzuleiten.

IV. BESCHLUSS

(49)

Aus den oben dargelegten Gründen hat die Kommission beschlossen, ernsthafte Zweifel daran zu äußern, ob die ermäßigten Mineralölsteuersätze für im Unterglasanbau und in geschlossenen Kulturräumen verwendete Brennstoffe mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt vereinbar sind. Daher fordert die Kommission Deutschland gemäß dem Verfahren nach Artikel 88 Absatz 2 EG-Vertrag auf, innerhalb einer Frist von einem Monat nach Erhalt dieses Schreibens Stellung zu nehmen und ihr alle sachdienlichen Informationen zu übermitteln, die eine Beurteilung der Maßnahme ermöglichen.

(50)	Die Kommission fordert die deutschen Behörden auf, eine Kopie dieses Schreibens umgehend an die möglichen Beihilfeempfänger zu senden.

(51)	Die Kommission erinnert Deutschland an die Sperrwirkung des Artikels 88 Absatz 3 EG-Vertrag und verweist auf Artikel 14 der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 659/1999 des Rates, wonach alle rechtswidrigen Beihilfen vom Empfänger zurückgefordert werden können.

(52)

Die Kommission teilt Deutschland mit, dass sie die Beteiligten durch die Veröffentlichung des vorliegenden Schreibens und einer aussagekräftigen Zusammenfassung dieses Schreibens im Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union von der Beihilfe in Kenntnis setzen wird. Alle vorerwähnten Beteiligten werden aufgefordert, innerhalb eines Monats nach dem Datum dieser Veröffentlichung ihre Stellungnahme abzugeben.’

(1) Überwiegend für den Anbau von Pilzen.

(2) Vergütungsanträge für im Jahre 2001 verwendete Brennstoffe wurden überwiegend im Jahre 2002 eingereicht.

(3) Einschließlich geschlossene Kulturräume.

(4) Im Jahre 2003 beispielsweise belief sich in der EU-15 der Handel mit Gemüse auf 8 346 000 Tonnen und mit Obst auf 10 081 000 Tonnen (Quelle: Eurostat).

(5) ABl. C 28 vom 1.2.2000, S. 2.

(6) ABl. L 283 vom 31.10.2003. Diese Richtlinie ist am 31. Oktober 2003 in Kraft getreten.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/28

Interbranch organisation in the fresh fruit and vegetables sector

(Communication made under Article 19(7) of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96)

(2006/C 67/09)

The Italian authorities have notified the Commission of their decision to recognise under Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 47/2003 (2), the national interbranch association for fruit and vegetables (‘Organismo interprofessionale del settore ortofrutticolo’).

— Area of activity: Italy.

— Activities: ‘L'organismo interprofessionale del settore ortofrutticolo’ will carry out all the activities laid down for interbranch organisations in the relevant parts of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96.

For the sake of transparency, the communications regarding interbranch organisations recognised earlier can be found in the following issues of the Official Journal of the European Communities:

—	OJ C 313, 15.10.1997, p. 12.

—	OJ C 190, 2.7.1999, p. 7.

and in the following issue of the Official Journal of the European Union:

—	OJ C 91, 16.4.2003, p. 17.

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 7, 11.1.2003, p. 64.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/29

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4181 — Blackstone/Center Parcs (UK) Group)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 67/10)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 10 March 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the Blackstone Group (‘Blackstone’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Center Parcs (UK) Group Plc (‘Center Parcs UK’, UK) by way of public bid announced on 9 March 2006.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for Blackstone: private merchant banking, financial advisory services, private equity investing and property investment;

—	for Center Parcs UK: operates four residential holiday villages in the UK and one spa in the UK.

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.4181 — Blackstone/Center Parcs (UK) 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.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/30

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4159 — Aegon/Caja Navarra/Seguros Navarra JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 67/11)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 14 March 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Aegon Spanje Holding, BV (Aegon, The Netherlands) belonging to the group Aegon and Caja de Ahorros y del Monte de Piedad de Navarra (CAN, Spain) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Seguros Navarra, S.A. (Seguros Navarra, Spain) by way of purchase of shares. Seguros Navarra is currently under the sole control of CAN.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	Aegon: life insurance and pensions, savings and investment products;

—	CAN: private entity active in credit, deposit transactions, general financing and insurance distribution in Spain;

—	Seguros Navarra: life insurance and pension plans in Spain.

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.4159 — Aegon/Caja Navarra/Seguros Navarra JV, 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.

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/31

Initiation of proceedings

(Case COMP/M.4009 — CIMC/BURG)

(2006/C 67/12)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 13 March 2006, the Commission decided to initiate proceedings in the above-mentioned case after finding that the notified concentration raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market. The initiation of proceedings opens a second phase investigation with regard to the notified concentration. The decision is based on Article 6(1)(c) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.

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

In order to be fully taken into account in the procedure, observations should reach the Commission not later than 15 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference No COMP/M.4009 — CIMC/BURG, to the following address:

European Commission

Competition DG

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/32

COM documents other than legislative proposals adopted by the Commission

(2006/C 67/13)

Document	Part	Date	Title
COM(2006) 6		17.1.2006	Communication from the Commission on the promotion of inland waterway — Transport ‘NAIADES’ An Integrated European Action Programme for Inland Waterway Transport
COM(2006) 9		17.1.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Auditors: Commission Action Plan towards an Integrated Internal Control Framework
COM(2006) 14		23.1.2006	Commission Working document on a community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010 Strategic basis for the proposed actions
COM(2006) 22		26.1.2006	Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the Implementation of Council Directive 98/49/EC of 29 June 1998 on safeguarding the supplementary pension rights of employed and self-employed persons moving within the Community
COM(2006) 23		25.1.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Thematic Programme for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide under the future Financial Perspectives (2007-2013)
COM(2006) 25		25.1.2006	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and to the Council: Thematic Programme on Cooperation with Industrialised and other High-income Countries under the future Financial Perspectives (2007-2013)
COM(2006) 26		25.1.2006	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: thematic programme for the cooperation with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum
COM(2006) 27		27.1.2006	Communication from the Commission: the Western Balkans on the road to the EU: consolidating stability and raising prosperity
COM(2006) 30		25.1.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Spring European Council — Time to move up a gear: The new partnership for growth and jobs
COM(2006) 33		13.2.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets through education and learning
COM(2006) 34		8.2.2006	Communication from the Commission: An EU Strategy for Biofuels
COM(2006) 35		1.2.2006	White paper on a European COmmunication Policy
COM(2006) 36		1.2.2006	Commission Working Document: revised Proposal for renewal of the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure
COM(2006) 37		2.2.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the EUropean Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on reviewing the interoperability of digital interactive television services pursuant to Communication COM(2004) 541 of 30 July 2004
COM(2006) 43		8.2.2006	Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the use of the provisions on mutual assistance for the recovery of claims relating to certain levies, duties, taxes and other measures
COM(2006) 62		13.2.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of The Regions — Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006
COM(2006) 65		20.2.2006	Report from the Commission Second report based on Article 14 of the Council Framework Decision of 28 May 2001 combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment
COM(2006) 67		17.2.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Strengthened practical cooperation new structures, new approaches: improving the quality of decision making in the Common European asylum system
COM(2006) 71		22.2.2006	Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on equality between women and men — 2006
COM(2006) 73		21.2.2006	Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament Disqualifications arising from criminal convictions in the European Union

These texts are available on EUR-Lex: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/34

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3942 — Adidas/Reebok)

(2006/C 67/14)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 24 January 2006, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

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

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32006M3942. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/34

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4093 — Toyota Tsusho/Tomen)

(2006/C 67/15)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 10 March 2006, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

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

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32006M4093. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/35

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4043 — Plastal/Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff)

(2006/C 67/16)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 22 December 2005, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

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

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32005M4043. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/35

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4111 — Goldman Sachs/Daiwa/SMBC/Sanyo)

(2006/C 67/17)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 24 February 2006, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

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

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32006M4111. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/36

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4112 — Cerberus/Goldman Sachs/Wittur)

(2006/C 67/18)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 28 February 2006, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

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

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32006M4112. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

European Ombudsman

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/37

Special Reports to the European Parliament made in accordance with Article 3(7) of the Statute of the European Ombudsman (1)

(2006/C 67/19)

The European Ombudsman addressed three special reports to the European Parliament in 2005:

—	Special Report of 12 May 2005 following the draft recommendation to the European Anti-Fraud office in complaint 2485/2004/GG;

—	Special Report of 27 May 2005 following the draft recommendation to the European Commission in complaint 1391/2002/JMA;

—	Special Report of 4 October 2005 following the draft recommendation to the Council of the European Union in complaint 2395/2003/GG.

The texts of the special reports are available on the European Ombudsman's website in all 20 official languages at: http://www.euro-ombudsman.eu.int.

Paper copies can be requested free of charge from the European Ombudsman's office — 1 Avenue du Président Robert Schuman — B.P. 403 — F-67001 Strasbourg Cedex. Telephone (33) (0) 388 17 23 13 — Fax (33) (0) 388 17 90 62 — Email: euro-ombudsman@europarl.eu.int.

(1) Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom of 9 March 1994 of the European Parliament on the Regulations and General Conditions Governing the Performance of the Ombudsman's Duties (OJ L 113, 4.5.1994, p. 15).

II Preparatory Acts

Commission

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/38

Legislative proposals adopted by the Commission

(2006/C 67/20)

Document	Part	Date	Title
COM(2006) 15		18.1.2006	Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment and management of floods
COM(2006) 16		31.1.2006	Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems
COM(2006) 24		26.1.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision extending the period of application of the measures in Decision 2002/148/EC concluding consultations with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement
COM(2006) 29		26.1.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision: Establishing a Community civil protection mechanism (recast)
COM(2006) 32		25.1.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision: Guidelines for the Employment Policies of the Member States
COM(2006) 39		6.2.2006	Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the statistical classification of economic activities NACE Rev. 2 and amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3037/90 and certain EC Regulations on specific statistical domains
COM(2006) 41	1	6.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters between the European Community and the People's Republic of China, and between the European Community and the United States of America
COM(2006) 41	2	6.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the implementation of the Agreement concluded by the EC following negotiations in the framework of Article XXIV.6 of GATT 1994, amending and supplementing Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff
COM(2006) 47		9.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision on the European Community position regarding a decision of the EC Monaco Joint Committee concerning its rules of procedure
COM(2006) 54		13.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1676/2001 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of polyethylene terephthalate film originating, inter alia, in India and terminating the partial interim review of the anti-subsidy measures applicable to imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film originating, inter alia, in India
COM(2006) 55		13.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1676/2001 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film originating, inter alia, in India
COM(2006) 56		13.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Regulation imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film originating in India following an expiry review pursuant to Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 2026/97
COM(2006) 57		07.2.2006	Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council creating a European order for payment procedure
COM(2006) 60		15.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Regulation repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1461/93 concerning access to public contracts for tenderers from the United States of America
COM(2006) 61		15.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the implementation of the Agreement on Duty-Free Treatment of Multi-Chip Integrated Circuits (MCPs) by amending Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff
COM(2006) 63		17.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision on a Community position concerning the rules of procedure of the Joint Committee established under Article 27 of the agreement between the European Community and Canada on trade in wines and spirit drinks
COM(2006) 64	1	17.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on certain aspects of air services
COM(2006) 64	2	17.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on certain aspects of air services
COM(2006) 69		21.2.2006	Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing of certain measuring devices containing mercury
COM(2006) 76		22.2.2006	Proposal for a Council Directive on the exemption from valued added tax and excise duty of goods imported by persons travelling from third countries
COM(2006) 83		21.2.2006	Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation on the law applicable to non contractual obligations (‘Rome II’)

These texts are available on EUR-Lex: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/

18.3.2006

Official Journal of the European Union

C 67/s3

NOTICE

On 21 March 2006, in Official Journal of the European Union C 68 A, the ‘Common catalogue of agricultural plant species — 24th complete edition’ will be published.

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