title: Regulamento (CE) nº 2811/98 da Comissão de 22 de Dezembro de 1998 que fixa, para a campanha de 1997/1998, o montante da ajuda definitiva para as laranjas

eurovoc_concepts:
agro-industry
aid system
citrus fruit
production aid

formats: html pdf print

text: L 349/46 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 24. 12. 98 REGULAMENTO (CE) Nº 2811/98 DA COMISS(cid:212)O de 22 de Dezembro de 1998 que fixa, para a campanha de 1997/1998, o montante da ajuda definitiva para as laranjas A COMISS(cid:212)O DAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEIAS, Tendo em conta o Tratado que institui a Comunidade Europeia, Tendo em conta o Regulamento (CE) nº 2202/96 do Conselho, de 28 de Outubro de 1996, que institui um aos produtores de determinados regime de citrinos (1), ajuda Tendo em conta o Regulamento (CE) nº 1169/97 da Comiss(cid:209)o, de 26 de Junho de 1997, que estabelece as regras de execu(cid:135)(cid:209)o do Regulamento (CE) nº 2202/96 do Conselho que institui um regime de ajuda aos produtores de determinados citrinos (2), com a (cid:156)ltima redac(cid:135)(cid:209)o que lhe foi dada pelo Regulamento (CE) nº 1145/98 (3), e, nomeadamente, o nº 1 do seu artigo 22º, relativamente artigo determina que, Considerando que o nº 1 do artigo 5º do Regulamento (CE) nº 2202/96 estabeleceu, para as laranjas, um limiar de transforma(cid:135)(cid:209)o igual a 1 189 000 toneladas; que o nº 2 desse cada campanha de comercializa(cid:135)(cid:209)o, a ultrapassagem do limiar ser(cid:145) apreciada com base na m(cid:130)dia das quantidades trans- formadas com ajuda durante as tr(cid:136)s (cid:156)ltimas campanhas, incluindo a campanha em curso; que o nº 3 do mesmo artigo estabelece que, sempre que se constate uma ultra- passagem, a ajuda fixada para a campanha em curso no anexo desse regulamento ser(cid:145) reduzida em 1 % por frac(cid:135)(cid:209)o de ultrapassagem de 11 890 toneladas; a gues para transforma(cid:135)(cid:209)o a t(cid:146)tulo da campanha de 1997/ /1998 no (cid:131)mbito do Regulamento (CE) nº 2202/96; que, com base nesses dados e nas quantidades transformadas com ajuda aquando das campanhas de 1995/1996 e 1996/ /1997, foi constatada uma ultrapassagem do n(cid:146)vel do limiar de transforma(cid:135)(cid:209)o de 501 294 toneladas; que, por (cid:130) necess(cid:145)rio diminuir de 42 % os consequ(cid:136)ncia, montantes da ajuda para as laranjas fixados no anexo do Regulamento (CE) nº 2202/96 para a campanha de 1997/ /1998; Considerando que as medidas previstas no presente regu- lamento est(cid:209)o em conformidade com o parecer do Comit(cid:130) de Gest(cid:209)o das Frutas e dos Produtos Hort(cid:146)colas, ADOPTOU O PRESENTE REGULAMENTO: Artigo 1º Para a campanha de 1997/1998, os montantes da ajuda fixados em cada quadro do anexo do Regulamento (CE) nº 2202/96 para as laranjas s(cid:209)o reduzidos de 42 %. O pagamento dessa ajuda tem em conta o adiantamento da ajuda j(cid:145) pago em conformidade com o artigo 15º do Regulamento (CE) nº 1169/97. Artigo 2º Considerando que, nos termos do nº 1, al(cid:146)nea b), do artigo 22º do Regulamento (CE) nº 1169/97, os Estados- -membros comunicaram as quantidades de laranjas entre- O presente regulamento entra em vigor no terceiro dia seguinte ao da sua publica(cid:135)(cid:209)o no Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias. O presente regulamento (cid:130) obrigat(cid:155)rio em todos os seus elementos e directamente aplic(cid:145)vel em todos os Estados-membros. Feito em Bruxelas, em 22 de Dezembro de 1998. Pela Comiss(cid:209)o Franz FISCHLER Membro da Comiss(cid:209)o (1) JO L 297 de 21. 11. 1996, p. 49. (2) JO L 169 de 27. 6. 1997, p. 15. (3) JO L 159 de 3. 6. 1998, p. 29


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA n. 3847/98 del Manuel ESCOLÁ HERNANDO Madrid-Zaragoza suurnopeusrautatieyhteys Zaragozan lentokentälle

eurovoc_concepts:
EU aid
Spain
air transport
airport
combined transport
high-speed transport
rail transport
trans-European network
transport planning
transport policy

text: 29. 11. 1999 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas C 341/15 Respuesta complementaria de la Sra. Wulf-Mathies en nombre de la Comisión (12 de mayo de 1999) Se ruega a Su Señoría se refiera a la respuesta de la Comisión a su pregunta escrita P-3790/98 (1). (1) Ver página 12. (1999/C 341/023) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-3824/98 de Outi Ojala (GUE/NGL) a la Comisión (22 de diciembre de 1998) Asunto: Derecho de los diplomáticos a adquirir productos libres de impuestos De conformidad con la decisión adoptada por la Comisión Europea, el comercio de productos libres de impuestos en los trayectos que transcurren por el interior de Europa finalizará a partir del 1. 7. 1999; sin embargo, los diplomáticos y los miembros de la Comisión Europea, que se equiparan con ellos, podrán seguir adquiriendo productos libres de impuestos gracias a la cuota anual de compra de estos productos que tienen asignada. 1. ¿Considera correcto la Comisión que precisamente los diplomáticos, con elevados ingresos, conserven su derecho de adquisición de productos libres de impuestos, en tanto que los ciudadanos corrientes de la Unión Europa lo pierden? ¿Tiene previsto la Comisión adoptar medidas para corregir esta injusticia? En caso afirmativo, ¿de qué 2. tipo? En caso negativo, ¿por qué? Respuesta del Sr. Monti en nombre de la Comisión (6 de abril de 1999) Se ruega a Su Señoría se refiera a la respuesta de la Comisión a la pregunta escrita E-3878/98 del Sr. De Coene (1). (1) DO C 325 de 12. 11. 1999, p. 35. (1999/C 341/024) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-3847/98 de Manuel Escolá Hernando (ARE) a la Comisión (22 de diciembre de 1998) Asunto: Conexión del AVE Madrid-Zaragoza con el aeropuerto de Zaragoza Entre los 14 proyectos prioritarios de la red transeuropea de transporte aprobados en el Consejo de Essen figura la construcción de la línea de alta velocidad del Sur de Europa que unirá Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Perpiñán y Montpellier. La construcción de esta línea permitirá cubrir el trayecto entre Zaragoza y Madrid o Barcelona, que en la actualidad dura tres horas y media, en poco más de una hora y quince minutos, lo que supondrá en la práctica acercar considerablemente estas ciudades. En la actualidad se está debatiendo la posibilidad de acercar el nuevo trazado ferroviario que debe construirse a su paso por Zaragoza, al aeropuerto de esta ciudad, lo que permitiría potenciar el carácter de red intermodal de este proyecto. Al mismo tiempo se potenciaría un aeropuerto infrautilizado y se lograría descongestionar el espacio aéreo de Madrid o Barcelona


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA n. 3802/98 del Sérgio RIBEIRO a la Comisión. Cierre de la fábrica Nstlé en Matosinhos-Portugal

eurovoc_concepts:
Portugal
State aid
cessation of trading
financial aid
investment aid
job cuts
multinational enterprise
transfer of businesses

text: 28. 6. 1999 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas C 182/127 (1999/C 182/173) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-3802/98 de Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) a la Comisión (22 de diciembre de 1998) Asunto: Cierre de la fábrica Nstlé en Matosinhos-Portugal La fábrica Longa Vida, de Nestlé, localizada en Matosinhos, Portugal, va a ser cerrada, y su unidad de producción transferida a España o Francia, de acuerdo con el director de relaciones públicas de la empresa. Esta decisión tendrá como consecuencia el previsible desempleo de más de una centena de trabajadores y se sigue a otras decisiones de la misma empresa multinacional que ya cerró las fábricas Rajá y Findus y ha despedido ya a unos 70 trabajadores de la fábrica Longa Vida. Esta decisión es tanto más significativa cuanto que Longa Vida es una unidad industrial moderna que se ha beneficiado de apoyos financieros del Estado portugués y de la Unión europea para llevar a cabo inversiones que, en los últimos cinco años, han sumado más de 3 millares de millones de escudos. Tratándose de un caso más de deslocalización, en esta ocasión dentro del espacio comunitario, pregunto a la Comisión si tiene conocimiento de la situación, si existen contratos-programa de los sea parte o de los que tenga conocimiento, y si en la posible deslocalización la empresa Nestlé cuenta con nuevos apoyos financieros. Respuesta de la Sra. Wulf-Mathies en nombre de la Comisión (22 de enero de 1999) La Comisión está recogiendo las informaciones necesarias para responder a la pregunta. El resultado de sus investigaciones se comunicará en el plazo más breve posible. (1999/C 182/174) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-3810/98 de Ulla Sandbæk (I-EDN) a la Comisión (22 de diciembre de 1998) Asunto: Acciones de la UE en relación con las sustancias que provocan perturbaciones endocrinas En el mes de octubre la Comisión comunicó al Parlamento que examinaría recomendaciones para acciones de la UE a corto, medio y largo plazo en materia de sustancias que provocan perturbaciones endocrinas. ¿Qué calendario ha propuesto la Comisión para el examen y la aprobación de dichas recomendaciones y, posteriormente, para el desarrollo de acciones al respecto, en particular acciones a corto plazo? Respuesta de la Sra. Bonino en nombre de la Comisión (10 de febrero de 1999) La Comisión estudia actualmente los elementos de una estrategia global para el seguimiento y la prevención de los riesgos relacionados con las sustancias químicas que pueden tener efectos moduladores/perturbadores sobre el sistema endocrino. La Comisión tiene la intención de presentar una comunicación sobre este asunto durante el primer semestre de 1999. Además, el Comité Científico de Toxicidad, Ecotoxicidad y Medio ambiente (CCTEMA) prepara actualmente un dictamen científico sobre este tema, que en principio llevará el siguiente título: «Dictamen del CCTEMA sobre los efectos para la salud humana y el medio ambiente de los productos moduladores/perturbadores del sistema endocrino, haciendo hincapié en los métodos de ensayo ecotoxicológico». Dicho dictamen debería adoptarse a principios de 1999


title: Rozhodnutie Komisie z 22. decembra 1998, ktorým sa uznáva úplnosť dokumentácie predloženej na podrobné preskúmanie s cieľom zaradiť CGA 279202 (trifloxystrobin), klefoxydim (BAS 625H), etoxazol a fosfát železa do prílohy I smernice Rady 91/414/EHS týkajúcej sa uvádzania prípravkov na ochranu rastlín na trh (oznámené pod číslom dokumentu C(1998) 4355)Text s významom pre EHP

eurovoc_concepts:
EU Member State
EU control
market approval
marketing
pharmaceutical product
plant health product

text: 310 SK Úradný vestník Európskej únie 03/zv. 24 31999D0043 L 14/30 ÚRADNÝ VESTNÍK EURÓPSKYCH SPOLOČENSTIEV 19. 1. 1999 ROZHODNUTIE KOMISIE z 22. decembra 1998, ktorým sa uznáva úplnosť dokumentácie predloženej na podrobné preskúmanie s cieľom zaradiť CGA 279 202 (trifloxystrobin), klefoxydim (BAS 625H), etoxazol a fosfát železa do prílohy I smernice Rady 91/414/EHS týkajúcej sa uvádzania prípravkov na ochranu rastlín na trh (oznámené pod číslom dokumentu C(1998) 4355) (Text s významom pre EHP) (1999/43/ES) KOMISIA EURÓPSKYCH SPOLOČENSTIEV, so zreteľom na Zmluvu o založení Európskeho spoločenstva, júci uvedenú účinnú látku v prílohe III smernice; keďže následne v súlade s ustanoveniami článku 6 ods. 2 žiadateľ predložil dokumentácie Komisii a ostatným členským štátom; so zreteľom na smernicu Rady 91/414/EHS (1) z 15. júla 1991 týkajúcu sa uvádzania prípravkov na ochranu rastlín na trh zmenenú a doplnenú smernicou Rady 98/47/ES (2), najmä na jej článok 6 ods. 3, keďže dokumentácie pre CGA 279 202 (trifloxystrobin), klefo- xydim (BAS 625H), etoxazol a fosfát železa boli predložené Stálemu výboru pre zdravie rastlín 15. októbra 1998; keďže smernica 91/414/EHS (ďalej len „smernica“) ustanovila vypracovanie zoznamu spoločenstva účinných látok povole- ných v prípravkoch na ochranu rastlín; keďže žiadatelia predložili dokumentácie pre štyri účinné látky orgánom členských štátov s cieľom zaradiť účinné látky do prílohy I smernice; keďže dokumentáciu pre účinnú látku CGA 279 202 (trifloxy- strobin) predložila spoločnosť Novaritis Crop Protection UK Ltd orgánom Spojeného kráľovstva 28. januára 1998; keďže dokumentáciu pre účinnú látku klefoxydim (BAS625H) predložila spoločnosť BASF AG španielskym orgánom 2. apríla 1998; keďže dokumentáciu pre účinnú látku etoxazol predložila spoločnosť Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SA francúzskym orgánom 21. apríla 1998; keďže dokumentáciu pre účinnú látku fosfát železa predložila spoločnosť W. Neudorff GmbH nemeckým orgánom 27. augusta 1998; keďže článok 6 ods. 3 smernice vyžaduje potvrdenie na úrovni spoločenstva, že každá dokumentácia spĺňa v zásade požia- davky týkajúce sa údajov a informácií ustanovených v prílohe III a pre aspoň jeden prípravok na ochranu rastlín obsahujúci uvedenú účinnú látku v prílohe III smernice; podrobné preskúmanie dokumentácie, keďže takéto potvrdenie je potrebné na to, aby bolo možné vykonať aj poskytnúť členským štátom možnosť udeliť dočasné registrácie pre prípravky na ochranu rastlín obsahujúce túto účinnú látku, pričom musia byť splnené podmienky ustanovené v článku 8 ods. 1 smernice, najmä podmienka uskutočniť podrobné hodnotenie účinných látok a prípravkov na ochranu rastlín v súvislosti s požiadavkami smernice; ako keďže takéto rozhodnutie nevylučuje možnosť žiadať od žiada- teľa ďalšie údaje alebo informácie, ak sa v priebehu podrob- ného preskúmania zistí, že takéto informácie alebo údaje sú potrebné pre prijatie rozhodnutia; keďže uvedené orgány oznámili Komisii výsledky prvého preskúmania úplnosti dokumentácie v súvislosti s požiadav- kami týkajúcimi sa údajov a informácií ustanovenými v prí- lohe II a pre aspoň jeden prípravok na ochranu rastlín obsahu- (1) Ú. v. ES L 230, 19. 8. 1991, s. 1. (2) Ú. v. ES L 191, 7. 7. 1998, s. 50. keďže členské štáty a Komisia súhlasia, že Spojené kráľovstvo vykoná podrobné preskúmanie dokumentácie pre CGA 279 202 (trifloxystrobin), že Španielsko vykoná podrobné preskúmanie dokumentácie pre klefoxydim (BAS 625H), že Francúzsko vykoná podrobné preskúmanie dokumentácie pre etoxazol, a že Nemecko vykoná podrobné preskúmanie doku- mentácie pre fosfát železa; 03/zv. 24 SK Úradný vestník Európskej únie 311 keďže Spojené kráľovstvo, Španielsko, Francúzsko a Nemecko oznámia závery svojich preskúmaní spolu s odporúčaniami o zaradení alebo nezaradení a podmienky s tým súvisiace Komisii čo najskôr a najneskôr v lehote jedného roka, keďže prijatie tejto správy o podrobnom preskúmaní bude pokra- čovať odbornými stanoviskami všetkých členských štátov v rámci Stáleho výboru pre zdravie rastlín; keďže opatrenia ustanovené v tomto nariadení sú v súlade so stanoviskom Stáleho výboru pre zdravie rastlín, 2. Dokumentácia, ktorú predložila spoločnosť BASF AG Komisii a členským štátom s cieľom zaradiť účinnú látku klefoxydim (BAS 625H) do prílohy I smernice 91/414/EHS a ktorá bola predložená Stálemu výboru pre ochranu rastlín 15. októbra 1998. 3. Dokumentácia, ktorú predložila spoločnosť Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe SA Komisii a členským štátom s cieľom zaradiť účinnú látku etoxazol do prílohy I smer- nice 91/414/EHS a ktorá bola predložená Stálemu výboru pre ochranu rastlín 15. októbra 1998. PRIJALA TOTO ROZHODNUTIE: Článok 1 S ohľadom na navrhované použitia, nasledujúce dokumentácie v zásade spĺňajú požiadavky týkajúce sa údajov a informácií ustanovených v prílohe II a pre aspoň jeden prípravok na ochranu rastlín obsahujúci uvedenú účinnú látku v prílohe III smernice: 1. Dokumentácia, ktorú predložila spoločnosť Novaritis Crop Protection UK Ltd Komisii a členským štátom s cieľom zaradiť účinnú látku CGA 279 202 (trifloxystrobin) do prílohy I smernice 91/414/EHS a ktorá bola predložená Stálemu výboru pre ochranu rastlín 15. októbra 1998. 4. Dokumentácia, ktorú predložila spoločnosť W. Neudorff GmbH KG Komisii a členským štátom s cieľom zaradiť účinnú I smernice 91/414/EHS a ktorá bola predložená Stálemu výboru pre ochranu rastlín 15. októbra 1998. prílohy železa fosfát látku do Toto rozhodnutie je adresované členským štátom. Článok 2 V Bruseli 22. decembra 1998 Za Komisiu Franz FISCHLER člen Komisie


title: Regulamentul (CE) nr. 2786/98 al Comisiei din 22 decembrie 1998 de modificarea a duratei de autorizare a aditivilor prevăzuți la articolul 9i alineatul (1) din Directiva 70/524/CEE a Consiliului

eurovoc_concepts:
animal nutrition
antibiotic
food additive
food chemistry
foodstuffs legislation
veterinary drug

formats: pdf print xhtml

text: 03/vol. 26 RO Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene 121 31998R2786 L 347/25 JURNALUL OFICIAL AL COMUNITĂȚILOR EUROPENE 23. 12. 1998 REGULAMENTUL (CE) NR. 2786/98 AL COMISIEI din 22 decembrie 1998 de modificarea a duratei de autorizare a aditivilor prevăzuți la articolul 9i alineatul (1) din Directiva 70/524/CEE a Consiliului COMISIA COMUNITĂȚILOR EUROPENE, având în vedere Tratatul de instituire a Comunității Europene, având în vedere Directiva 70/524/CEE a Consiliului din 23 noiem- brie 1970 privind aditivii din hrana animalelor (1), astfel cum a fost modificată ultima dată prin Regulamentul nr. 2785/98/CE (2) al Comisiei, în special articolul 9j ș(cid:13)i articolul 3, întrucât dispozițiile Directivei 70/524/CEE a Consiliului prevăd că se pot autoriza noi aditivi sau noi utilizări ale aditivilor, având în vedere evoluția cunoș(cid:13)tințelor ș(cid:13)tiințifice ș(cid:13)i tehnice; întrucât se poate acorda o autorizare provizorie a unui nou aditiv sau a unei noi utilizări pentru o perioadă de 5 ani, în cazul în care, ținând seama de conținutul admis în furaje, nu există un efect nociv asupra sănătății umane sau animale sau asupra mediului ș(cid:13)i nu aduce prejudicii consumatorului prin alterarea caracteristici- lor produselor animale, în cazul în care este controlabil în furaje, ș(cid:13)i dacă este întemeiat să se presupună, având în vedere rezultatele de care se dispune, că, atunci când este încorporat în furaje, are un efect favorabil asupra caracteristicilor acestor tipuri de furaje sau asupra producției animale; întrucât, din această cauză, este necesar să se prelungească termenul de autorizare a acestor substanțe pe o perioadă deter- minată; cu întrucât Comisia a consultat Comitetul ș(cid:13)tiințific pentru nutriția animalelor ș(cid:13)i coccidiostaticelor menționate în anexa la prezentul regulament; întrucât acesta a emis un aviz privind eficacitatea, siguranța ș(cid:13)i controlul acestor substanțe; antibioticelor autorizarea privire la întrucât măsurile prevăzute în prezentul regulament sunt în conformitate cu avizul Comitetului permanent pentru hrana ani- malelor, ADOPTĂ PREZENTUL REGULAMENT: Articolul 1 Anexa B capitolul III din Directiva 70/524/CEE se modifică în conformitate cu anexa la prezentul regulament. Articolul 2 întrucât nu s-a încheiat studiul diferiților aditivi menționați la articolul 9i alineatul (1) din Directiva 70/524/CEE, prevăzuți la anexa B capitolul III din directiva menționată, astfel încât pot fi autorizați provizoriu la nivel național până la 30 noiembrie 1998; Prezentul regulament intră în vigoare în a treia zi de la data publicării în Jurnalul Oficial al Comunităților Europene. Prezentul regulament se aplică de la 1 decembrie 1998. Prezentul regulament este obligatoriu în toate elementele sale ș(cid:13)i se aplică direct în toate statele membre. Adoptat la Bruxelles, 22 decembrie 1998. Pentru Comisie Franz FISCHLER Membru al Comisiei (1) (2) JO L 270, 14. 12. 1970, p. 1. JO L 347, 23. 12. 1998, p. 21. 122 RO Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene 03/vol. 26 ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ” ) 3 ( 9 9 9 1 7 7 1. 9 9 9 1 7 7 1. 9 9 9 1 9 0 3. – – – t e l p m o c j a r u f e d g k / g m 0 5 0 5 0 1 5 5 5 – i n u l 6 – a e t a t i l i b a l a V i e i ț a z i r o t u a i i ț i z o p s i d e t l A t u n i ț n o C m i x a m t u n i ț n o C i m n m i ă m i x a m a t s r â V u a s ă l a m n a i a i c e p S e l a m n a i e d e l i i r o g e t a c e r e i r c s e d , ă c i m h c i a e r i m u n e D v i t i d A e s u d o r p , r o l e c i m o z o t r o a p u r g s e c y m o t p e r t S e d ) 0 6 8 2 L R R N , s e n e g o m o r h c o d i r i v : e i ț i z o p m o c e d r o t c a F m u m n m i i m u m n m i i : A ă n i c i m a l i v a — : B ă n i c i m a l i v a — % 0 6 % 8 1 - i n m i : B + A ă n i c i m a l i v a — % 0 7 m u m - i v i d n i e n i c i m a l i v a e t l a — % 6 m u m i x a m : e l a u d e r a s, ă r g n î u r t n e p i u P 2 1 a l e d d n â n i ț n o c ă d i t p e p i l o p ( n Z S 7 1 N 6 1 O 3 0 1 H 6 6 C i n a c r u C i c r o P n d i e d. 2 3 1 3 O 2 1 l C 0 9 2 8 H 2 6 7 5 C. i r a h a z o g i l o e d c e t s e m a ( ) c n i z % 0 2 a l c n i z - n i c a r t i c a B ă n i c i m a l i v A 1 3 „ 3 3 e l e m u N - s e r i e n a o s r e p u c e l i b a s n o p - r i c n î a e r e n u p ) 1 ( e i ț a l u c. r N - s i g e r n î e r a r t i e c i t o b i t n A. A Ă X E N A 8 9 9 1 e i l i r p a 1 a l ă n â p , I I a x e n a n î i ț a n o i ț n e m , e i ț a l u c r i c n î a e r e n u p u c e l i b a s n o p s e r i e n a o s r e p i ț a i c o s a i v i t i d A : ă z a e m r u m u c ă p u d ă c i f i d o m e s E E C / 4 2 5 / 0 7 a v i t c e r i D a l B a x e n a n d i I I I l l u o t i p a C 03/vol. 26 RO Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene 123 ) 4 ( ) 5 ( 9 9 9 1 9 0 3. l e c u c ă s i z r e t n i e r a r t s i n m d A i i i r ă c i f i r c a s a e t n i a n î e l i z 5 n i ț u p e d l u d o m n î a n o i ț n e m e s A i : e r a ț n u b e r t n î e n i ț n o c e j a r u f e d p i t t s e c A „ a p u r g n d i v i t i d a n u a e r a r t s i n m d a i ; r o l e r o f o n o i e t l a u c ă n u e r p m î ă n a t l u m i s l u p m e x e e d ( e t n e m a c i d e m i f e t a o p ) a n i l u m a i t ” e n i l a b a c u r t n e p l o c i r e P „ ” ă t a c i d n i a r t n o c — — 9 9 9 1 9 0 3. e n i ț n o c e j a r u f e d p i t t s e c A „ a p u r g n d i v i t i d a n u a e r a r t s i n m d a i ; r o l e r o f o n o i e t l a u c ă n u e r p m î ă n a t l u m i s l u p m e x e e d ( e t n e m a c i d e m i f e t a o p ) a n i l u m a i t ” e n i l a b a c u r t n e p l o c i r e P „ ” ă t a c i d n i a r t n o c — — i : e r a ț n u b e r t n î e d l u d o m n î a n o i ț n e m e s A 0 5 0 3 i n â m ă t p ă s 2 1 e r a s, ă r g n î u r t n e p i u P e d s u d o r p , c i l i x o b r a c o n o m ) s u b l a s e c y m o t p e r t S - i x a m : ă n i l i f o e l e n î l u t u n i ț n o C e d g k / g m 2 4 m u m i u d o s - ă n i c i m o n i l a S - 0 2 - i p e - 7 1 n î l u t u n i ț n o C - i x a m : ă n i c i m o n i l a s i x o z e d - ă n i c i m o n i l a S e d g k / g 0 4 m u m i u d o s a e t a t i l i b a l a V i e i ț a z i r o t u a i i ț i z o p s i d e t l A t u n i ț n o C m i x a m t u n i ț n o C i m n m i ă m i x a m a t s r â V u a s ă l a m n a i a i c e p S e l a m n a i e d e l i i r o g e t a c e r e i r c s e d , ă c i m h c i a e r i m u n e D v i t i d A t e l p m o c j a r u f e d g k / g m 5 2 0 2 – e r a s, ă r g n î u r t n e p i r u p e I d i c a e d r e t e i l o p a N 1 1 O 9 6 H 2 4 C e d ă c i d o s e r a s ( - ă n i c - i m o n i l a S i u d o s e s a o t n e m a c i d e m e ț n a t s b u s e t l a i s, e c i t a t s o d i c c o C i. B e l e m u N - s e r i e n a o s r e p u c e l i b a s n o p - r i c n î a e r e n u p ) 1 ( e i ț a l u c. r N - s i g e r n î e r a r t 6 2 „ 124 RO Jurnalul Oficial al Uniunii Europene 03/vol. 26 a e t a t i l i b a l a V i e i ț a z i r o t u a i i ț i z o p s i d e t l A t u n i ț n o C m i x a m t u n i ț n o C i m n m i ) 4 ( ) 3 ( ” ) 5 ( 9 9 9 1 9 0 3. 9 9 9 1 9 0 3. 9 9 9 1 9 0 3. l e c u c ă s i z r e t n i e r a r t s i n m d A i i i r ă c i f i r c a s a e t n i a n î e l i z 5 n i ț u p – l e c u c ă s i z r e t n i e r a r t s i n m d A i i i r ă c i f i r c a s a e t n i a n î e l i z 5 n i ț u p e d l u d o m n î a n o i ț n e m e s A i : e r a ț n u b e r t n î e n i ț n o c e j a r u f e d p i t t s e c A „ a p u r g n d i v i t i d a n u a e r a r t s i n m d a i ; r o l e r o f o n o i e t l a u c ă n u e r p m î ă n a t l u m i s l u p m e x e e d ( e t n e m a c i d e m i f e t a o p ) a n i l u m a i t ” e n i l a b a c u r t n e p l o c i r e P „ ” ă t a c i d n i a r t n o c — — t e l p m o c j a r u f e d g k / g m 1 1 5 1 1 5 a e t a t i l i b a l a V i e i ț a z i r o t u a i i ț i z o p s i d e t l A t u n i ț n o C m i x a m t u n i ț n o C i m n m i i n â m ă t p ă s 6 1 t a u o u r t n e p i u P l i r t i n o t e c a - n e z n e b ] l i - ) H 3 ( 2 - n i z a i r t - 4 2 1 , , ă m i x a m a t s r â V u a s ă l a m n a i a i c e p S e l a m n a i e d e l i i r o g e t a c e r e i r c s e d , ă c i m h c i a e r i m u n e D v i t i d A i n â m ă t p ă s 2 1 i n a c r u C - ) l i n e f o r o l c - 4 ( - a f l a - o r o l c i d , 6 2 l i r u z a l c i D , i - o x o d - 5 3 - o r d h d - 5 4 [ - 4 i i , i n â m ă t p ă s 6 1 i n a c r u C i l u u d i c a l a r e t e i l o p e d c a i n o m a ( N 7 1 O 3 8 H 7 4 C ă n i c i m a r u d a M i u n o m a ă m i x a m a t s r â V u a s ă l a m n a i a i c e p S e l a m n a i e d e l i i r o g e t a c e r e i r c s e d , ă c i m h c i a e r i m u n e D v i t i d A e d s u d o r p , c i l i x o b r a c o n o m ) s i s n e a m u y a r u d a m o n i t c A t e l p m o c j a r u f e d g k / g m ” – – – – – – – – e l e m u N - s e r i e n a o s r e p u c e l i b a s n o p - r i c n î a e r e n u p ) 1 ( e i ț a l u c. r N - s i g e r n î e r a r t 7 2 8 2 e l e m u N - s e r i e n a o s r e p u c e l i b a s n o p - r i c n î a e r e n u p ) 1 ( e i ț a l u c. r N - s i g e r n î e r a r t – „ e r e t s, e r c e d i r o t c a F. C. ) 5 5. p ,. 7 9 9 1 2 1 3 2. , 1 5 3 L O J ( i e i s i m o C a E C / 2 7 / 7 9 a v i t c e r i D , 7 9 9 1 e i r b m e c e d 5 1 a l e r a z i r o t u a a m i r P ) 3 (. ) 8 1. p , 4 9 9 1 8 2 1. , 9 0 2 L O J ( i e i s i m o C a E C / 1 4 / 4 9 a v i t c e r i D , 4 9 9 1 e i l u i 8 1 a l e r a z i r o t u a a m i r P ) 2 (. 9 9 9 1 e i r b m o t c o 1 a l e r a o g i v n î ă r t n i , e l i b a s n o p s e r i e n a o s r e p ă t a i c o s a e i ț a z i r o t u A ) 1 (. ) 5 4. p , 6 9 9 1 3 1. , 1 5 L O J ( i e i s i m o C a E C / 7 / 6 9 a v i t c e r i D , 6 9 9 1 e i r a u r b e f 1 2 a l e r a z i r o t u a a m i r P ) 4 (. ) 2 3. p ,. 6 9 9 1 0 1 5 2. , 2 7 2 L O J ( i e i s i m o C a E C / 6 6 / 6 9 a v i t c e r i D , 6 9 9 1 e i r b m o t c o 4 1 a l e r a z i r o t u a a m i r P ) 5 (


title: 1999/589/EC: Commission Decision of 22 December 1998 on aid granted by the Republic of Austria to Ergee Textilwerk GmbH (notified under document number C(1998) 4568) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance)

eurovoc_concepts:
Austria
State aid
aid for restructuring
aid to industry
restriction on competition
textile industry

text: 28. 8. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 227/1 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 22 December 1998 on aid granted by the Republic of Austria to Ergee Textilwerk GmbH (notified under document number C(1998) 4568) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/589/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement establishing the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having given notice to the parties concerned, in accordance with Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty, to submit their comments, and having regard to those comments, Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE 17 December 1997, the Commission approved the rescue aid under number NN 181/97 (ex N 455/97) for the period from July 1997 to the end of 1997. The Austrian Government was informed of the Commission’s decision by letter dated 22 January 1998. A notice to that effect was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (1). By letter dated 19 December 1997, the Austrian authorities notified restructuring aid. By letter dated 26 January 1998, the information, which the Commission requested additional Austrian authorities provided by letter dated 10 March 1998. By letter dated 20 April 1998, the Commission again requested information, which it should have received within the usual period of 20 working days. On 9 June 1998, Commission officials discussed the matter in Brussels with representatives of the Austrian authorities. By letter dated 23 June, the Austrian authorities provided background information on the GBI. However, the additional information which was requested on 20 April 1998 has not been received. Instead, Austria informed the Commission by fax on 3 July 1998 of some changes to the notification. By letter dated 30 June 1997, the Austrian authorities notified the Commission of rescue aid for Ergee Textilwerk GmbH, Schrems, Austria ((cid:145)Ergee(cid:146)). The proposed aid was in the form of a guarantee from the Federal Government and the Province of Lower Austria for an operating loan of up to ATS 150 million (ECU 10,8 million). By letter dated 18 November 1997, Austria also notified a capital injection by a new shareholder of ATS 25 million (ECU 1,8 million) which was to be converted into equity capital. The new shareholder is the Industriepolitische State-owned Gesellschaft des Bundes f(cid:252)r Ma(cid:223)nahmen GmbH, Vienna ((cid:145)GBI(cid:146)). Since GBI carried out the capital injection before the Commission had taken a decision, and the Commission first the capital injection possibly constituted State aid, since there was no restructuring plan, the case was classified as unnotified aid. On took the view that By letter dated 4 August 1998 the Commission informed Austria of its decision to initiate proceedings under Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty. It had reached the conclusion that to date Austria had not proved that all the restructuring measures were absolutely necessary or that the State aid was limited to the strict minimum required. The Commission also wanted to know whether Ergee had already received restructuring aid in 1994. Moreover, it found that the GBI capital injection of ATS 25 million (ECU 1,8 million) during the six months’ duration of the rescue measures possibly constituted an extension of rescue aid and that perhaps other GBI measures needed to be examined more closely. (1) OJ C 70, 6. 3. 1998, p. 8. L 227/2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 8. 1999 In accordance with the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Communities of 13 April 1994 in Joined Cases C-324/90 and C-342/90 (Federal Republic of Germany and Pleuger Worthington v. Commission) (2), the Commission issued an interim decision requiring Austria such documentation, information and data as are necessary in order to examine the compatibility of the aid with the common market. to provide all The Commission decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (3). It requested all interested parties to submit their comments. One comment was received. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE AID MEASURES The following restructuring measures were notified by the Austrian authorities: (1) the Federal Government and the Province of Lower Austria are planning to provide, from 1998 to the end of the year 2000, a guarantee for an operating loan of up to ATS 90 million (ECU 6,5 million). The Federal Government and the Provincc of Lower Austria intend to share this guarantee in the proportion two thirds/one third. The guarantee is free of charge to Ergee; (2) the Federal Government and the Province of Lower Austria are planning to provide a loan of ATS 40 million (ECU 2,9 million), which they are sharing in the proportion of two thirds/one third. The loan has an interest- and redemption-free grace period of one year; that is followed by a period of six years in which the loan is repaid. The repayment terms and conditions and the interest rate are in line with the ERP Fund guidelines for 1996/97; (3) As regards the loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3,0 million) granted to Ergee on 30 December 1994, both the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and the Province of Lower Austria intend to waive interest payments. If the firm can prove a workforce of at least 370 employees in the period 1997 to 1999, they will also waive repayment of one third of the amount of the loan annually, i. e. ATS 14 million (ECU 1,0 million) per annum. Austria confirmed that no other firms within the group have received any aid. Austria also informed the Commission that the GBI wished to increase the payment on account in respect of a subsequent equity capital increase from ATS 25 million (ECU 1,8 million) to ATS 50 million (ECU 3,6 million). Austria did not notify this measure pursuant to Article 93(3) of the EC Treaty, since in its view the activities of the GBI were not caught by Article 92 of the EC Treaty. (2) [1994] ECR I p. 1173. (3) OJ C 298, 26. 9. 1998, p. 2. 3. OPINION OF INTERESTED PARTIES By letter dated 20 October 1998, the British Apparel & Textile Confederation fully agreed with the Commission’s measures. 4. AUSTRIA’S POSITION By letter dated 17 September 1998, Austria communicated the information on the restructuring measures in question which had been requested in the Commission decision initiating proceedings. Austria supplemented the restructuring plan which had already been sent. Austria provided information on the equity capital and the other liabilities in 1997 and the balance sheet forecast for 1998 to 2000. This information was explained in detail. Austria also provided information on the investment carried out in 1997 and planned from 1998 to 2000. The individual investment projects were described in detail and were related to the development of the fixed assets and to Ergee’s production capacity. Austria took the view that the individual investment projects were necessary to restore the firm’s viability. Austria provided an up-to-date list of all restructuring costs, including the operational and financial restructuring measures, and an updated list of all restructuring measures. Austria also presented cash flow calculations which in its view showed that the total amount of aid was 1imited to the amount necessary to restore Ergee’s viability. Austria provided evidence that the 1994 subsidised loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3 million) from the Federal Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and the Province of Lower Austria had been planned as investment aid. The investment costs were substantiated in detail. Austria described the measures of the GBI in the present case and its general approach. It took the view that the GBI was acting in the same way as a private investor and its activities therefore did not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 92 of the EC Treaty. Lastly, Austria communicated the calculations on which the GBI based its decision to take over Ergee. In Austria’s view these calculations, which took into account the high risk of the participation concerned, proved that the GBI could expect huge advantages from this investment. 28. 8. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 227/3 5. ASSESSMENT The Commission examined the case on the basis of the information provided by Austria by letter of 17 September 1998. 5. 1. The aid recipient The Ergee group was established in 1960 by Edwin E. R(cid:246)ssler KG, Sonthofen, Germany. Ergee is located in the Waldviertel in accordance with a decision by the EFTA Region which, Surveillance Authority (4), is an assisted area within the meaning of Article 92(3)(c) of the EC Treaty. On 1 September 1994, R(cid:246)ssler KG applied for the intiation of bankruptcy proceedings. Ergee was not involved in any insolvency proceedings. Subsequently, the managing director of Ergee Textilwerk GmbH took over the German parent company’s shares and part of its assets. The management buy out, which was largely financed with borrowed funds, was unsuccessful. In July 1997, the State-owned GBI took over the Ergee shares for ATS 1. and In 1997 Ergee employed on average 417 persons, its turnover was ATS 495,8 million (ECU 35,8 million) its balance-sheet total was ATS 428 million (ECU 30,9 million). The firm has a 69,7 % stake in Loana a. s. , Roznov, Czech Republic, which operates at sites with a workforce of 926 (1997 figures). Ergee also holds 100 % of the shares in the marketing company Ergee GmbH, Germany (190 employees) and in Ergee AG, Kronb(cid:252)hl, Switzerland (seven Commission recommendation of 3 April 1996 concerning the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (5), Ergee is a large enterprise which cannot be classified as an SME. four different employees). According the to Government appointed the members of the supervisory board. There is therefore a clear influence on the part of the State on the GBI’s decision-making. Furthermore, Ergee operates on a market which apparently suffers from overcapacity. Lastly, the GBI participation in Ergee was accompanied by notified rescue and reconstruction aid. In accordance with its many years of investigation practice, the Commission must therefore examine whether the GBI’s activities constitute State aid (6). The GBI’s main task is to take over ailing firms, restore them to long-term viability and then sell them. The GBI emphasised that projects were examined in the greatest detail not only by its restructuring experts, but also by recognised audit firms and independent information consultancies. According to the provided by Austria, the GBI only takes over a firm if it can expect to turn it round within two to three years. Since 1983 the GBI has examined some 90 firms and has taken a participation in only nine cases. It took to health. In 1983 it restructuring. Up to now, the GBI has been extremely successful in restoring ailing companies acquired four companies. over Austria Haustechnik GmbH, Rottenmann, Glanzstoff Austria GmbH, St. P(cid:246)lten, Austria Antriebstechnik G. Bauknecht GmbH, Spielberg, and IFE Industrieeinrichtungen Fertigungs AG, Waidhofen/Ybbs. The GBI sold all these firms at a profit in 1988 and 1989 after successful the In 1993, Austrian firms Schmid Schrauben Hainfeld GmbH and Assmann Ladenbau Leibnitz GmbH. In both cases, recipient companies were established which bought up the stocks of the ailing companies and leased their fixed assets. The fixed assets the restructuring were not bought until measures was assured. Schmid Schrauben Hainfeld GmbH was sold at a profit in 1996. For Assmann Ladenbau Leibnitz GmbH a stock exchange launch is being considered. In 1997 the GBI acquired Ergee, ATB Austria Antriebstechnik AG, Spielberg, and ATB Antriebstechnik AG, Weinheim, Germany. the success of took over the GBI Ergee and its subsidiaries operate in the textile industry. In Austria, Ergee produces stockings and knitwear. The Czech subsidiary produces rubberised stockings and children’s clothing. stockings, medical socks, In 1996, Ergee registered a loss on normal business activity of ATS 214,2 million (ECU 15,5 million) with a turnover of ATS 600,1 million (ECU 43,3 million). At the end of 1996, the negative equity capital amounted to ATS 168,3 million (ECU 12,2 million). At time when Austria notified the restructuring and rescue aid, Ergee was a company in difficulties. the 5. 2. The activities of GBI The GBI was established in 1983 by the Federal Government with public money and therefore operates with State resources. the Austrian Law on companies with Under the terms of limited liability, the the GBI’s acquisition of Ergee, the Federal supervisory board. As the owner of subsidiaries, requires the agreement of the acquisition of the GBI, e. g. The Commission has examined the GBI’s financial situation and established that this is an extremely profitable company. Its revenue sources include fees for consultancy services for subsidiaries, dividends paid and profits transferred from such subsidiaries, returns on investment and proceeds from the sale of firms. In 1983 the GBI was provided with equity capital of ATS 44 million (ECU 3,2 million), which it increased to ATS 241 million (ECU 17,4 million) by 1996 from profits and without any further State participation. a due diligence examination that As regards Ergee, Austria stated that it was not until the GBI had carried out the supervisory board decided to take over the firm in difficulties. Production at Ergee was continued on the basis of the result of this examination. According to this, Ergee was an extremely the Czech well-known brand in central Europe (Germany, Republic, firm possessed considerable restructuring potential not only in terms of staff, organisation, logistics, and reduction in the number of company locations, but also in terms of an in the remaining production optimum division of plants and of the reorganisation of the operating network. According to the information provided by Austria, the GBI and Austria). The Switzerland, Slovakia labour (4) OJ C 199, 11. 5. 1994, p. 7. (5) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (6) Bull. EC 9(cid:150)1984. L 227/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 8. 1999 its takeover. Following this, was also interested in another of Ergee’s Austrian competitors, the GBI but decided against injected capital amounting to ATS 25 million (ECU 1,8 million) into Ergee and incorporated it into the cash management of the group, in order to bridge Ergee’s short-term need for finance. In 1998 the GBI will provide Ergee with a further capital injection of ATS 25 million (ECU 1,8 million). It also sent Ergee two of its marketing and financial control experts to strengthen its management. Austria submitted a detailed calculation of the return on investment. The GBI wishes to maintain its holding in Ergee until 2003. [(cid:133)](*). the facts mentioned above, Taking into account all the Commission reaches the conclusion that the GBI’s activities are to be equated with those of a private investor and therefore do not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 92 of the EC Treaty. 5. 3. The notified State aid measures The guarantee, the new State loan and the waiving of interest and possibly of repayment of the earlier loan are measures by State bodies. The notified measures are therefore granted from State resources. The purpose of these measures was to enable the ailing Ergee to continue in business and to restore its viability. In this way Ergee was favoured in relation to its competitors. Furthermore, the company is active in the textiles sector on which several competitors are present within the EEA. The firm’s main competitors are the two Austrian companies, Palmers Textil AG and Wolford AG, and the two German businesses, Falke Group and Kunert VertriebsgmbH, all of which operate internationally. The notified measures are therefore capable of affecting the business position of these competitors these measures distort or threaten to distort trade between Member States and constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 92(1) of the EEA the EC Treaty and Article 61(1) of Agreement. in other Member States. Accordingly, fall under any other The abovementioned aid does not approved or already existing system of aid and must therefore be notified individually under Article 93(3) of the EC Treaty. Austria complied with this notification requirement. 5. 4. Derogations Article 92(1) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement established the principle that aid having the characteristics therein are incompatible with the common market. Article 92(2) and (3) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(2) and (3) of the EEA Agreement specify which set out types of aid may exceptionally be considered to be compatible with the common market. The Commission has examined whether the measures notified fall within one of these derogations from the aid prohibition. The derogations provided for in Article 92(2) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(2) of the EEA Agreement are not applicable here, because the aid in question is neither aid having a social character, aid granted to individual consumers, nor aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters nor aid granted to the economy of certain areas of the Federal Republic of Germany affected by the division of Germany. The derogations provided for in Article 92(3)(a) of the EC Treaty and Article 61 (3)(a) of the EEA Agreement as well as the regional aspect of the derogation in Article 92(3)(c) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement are not relevant, since the aid is not granted to promote the economic development of living is abnormally low or to facilitate the development of certain economic areas. areas where standard of the As regards the derogations provided for in Article 92(3)(b) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(3)(b) of the EEA Agreement, the the project Commission was compelled to etablish that concerned did not fulfil the criteria which usually apply for (cid:145)projects of common European interest(cid:146), nor does it serve to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State. The derogations provided for in Article 92(3)(d) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(3)(d) of the EEA Agreement are not applicable either, because the aid is not intended to promote culture or heritage conservation. Accordingly, only the first part of the derogation provided for in Article 92(3)(c) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement could be applicable, if the aid facilitates the development of certain economic activities and at the same time does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. 5. 5. Community guidelines Ergee is a firm in difficulties. The notified measures represent restructuring aid. The Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (7) (hereinafter referred to as (cid:145)the guidelines(cid:146)) set out the conditions in which restructuring aid may be considered to be compatible with the common market. According to the guidelines, restructuring must form part of a realistic, coherent and far-reaching plan that will restore the (*) Parts of this text have been edited to ensure that confidential information is not disclosed; those parts are enclosed in square brackets and marked with an asterisk. (7) OJ C 368, 23. 12. 1994, p. 12. 28. 8. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 227/5 the circumstances which led to the long-term viability and health of the firm within a reasonable time scale and on the basis of realistic assumptions as to its future operating conditions. The restructuring plan must take account of firm’s difficulties, the supply and demand situation on the relevant product markets and the way it is likely to develop, and the specific strengths and weaknesses of the firm. The plan should enable the firm to make a smooth transition to a new structure that is viable in the long term and will enable it to remain in existence on its own merits without any further State support. Restructuring is normally accompanied by reorganisation and rationalisation of the firm’s activities so as to create a more efficient base. This usually means giving up activities that are no longer profitable or the are restructuring of activities that can be made competitive again and possibly the development of, or diversification into, new profitable activities. Such physical restructuring must normally be paralleled by financial restructuring. loss-making, already Under section 3 of the guidelines, the Commission must in particular examine whether the following conditions: restore the first, viability of the firm within a reasonable time scale; secondly, the aid must avoid undue distortion of competition; and thirdly, the aid must be in proportion to the restructuring costs and benefits. the restructuring satisfies restructuring must The Community guidelines also require the Commission to the monitor restructuring plan. the implementation, progress and success of 5. 6. Restoration of long-term viability Austria has submitted a realistic, coherent and far-reaching restructuring plan. To begin with, the Commission establishes that the firm is obliged to implement the restructuring plan. The restructuring plan takes account of the circumstances which led to the firm’s difficulties. These difficulties can be attributed to three main areas. First, Ergee suffered from a bad financial structure. At the end of 1996, the group showed negative equity capital of ATS 122 million (ECU 8,8 million). Secondly, it is clear that insufficient control was exercised over the group’s manufacturing plants in Austria and in the Czech Republic, there was no proper cost management and the group had clearly not adapted its production process to the changing market conditions. the firm did not In addition, pursue a proper brand and product strategy. The third problem area investment in recent years. arises from Ergee’s inadequate The guidelines also provide that the firm must fully implement the restructuring plan that was submitted to and accepted by the Commission and must discharge any other obligations laid down by the Commission decision. Accordingly the Ergee restructuring measures, which are summarised in the following table, concentrate on these three main areas. Restructuring costs ATS (million) ECU (million) Making good negative equity capital Injection of sufficient equity capital Operating losses 1997 and 1998 Extraordinary depreciation of stocks and receivables Total financial restructuring costs Redundancy programme Transfer of storage facilities and offices Organisational changes Consultants Extraordinary marketing measures Total operational restructuring costs Investment 1997 to 1999 121,0 165,0 148,0 56,0 491,0 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) 84,1 76,0 8,8 12,0 10,7 4,1 35,6 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) 6,1 5,5 % 18,7 25,3 22,7 8,9 75,4 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) 12,9 11,7 Total restructuring costs 651,1 47,2 100,0 L 227/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 8. 1999 5. 6. 1. Financial restructuring measures total cost of financial restructuring is The some ATS 491 million (ECU 35,6 million). In order to restore the group’s finances, it was necessary to offset its negative capital of ATS to provide the group with 121 million (ECU 8,8 million) some ATS 165 million (ECU sufficient equity capital of 12,0 million), equivalent the group’s balance-sheet total, to cover the losses of ATS 148 million (ECU 10,7 million) forecast for 1997 and 1998 and to make good an extraordinary depreciation of stocks and receivables of ATS 56 million (ECU 4,1 million). to around 25 % of The Commission takes the view that the financial restructuring measures are necessary in order to restore Ergee’s financial situation. the Raiffeisenbank Oberes Waldviertel The main element in bringing the group’s financial situation back to health was the waiver by Ergee’s house banks of unsecured loans of ATS 338 million (ECU 24,5 million) in 1997. The following Austrian banks were involved: Bank Austria AG, the Erste Bank der (cid:246)sterreichischen Sparkassen AG registrierte and Genossenschaft mit beschr(cid:228)nkter Haftung. By letters dated 28 May 1998 and 8 June 1998, these banks confirmed that they had agreed to the waiver, since their losses would be far higher if Ergee were to go bankrupt. The Commission takes the view that Bank Austria AG is a public enterprise, although more than 50 % of the shares are held by private investors, since it individual shareholder. The other two banks are private banks. By far, the largest contribution was made by the private Erste Bank der (cid:246)sterreichischen Sparkassen AG. The banks established a consortium and took decisions unanimously. The Commission concludes from this that the public Bank Austria AG acted as a private investor. is controlled by the State as largest The GBI provided funds amounting to ATS 25 million (ECU 1,8 million) to increase the capital and undertook to make available a further ATS 25 million, as soon as the Commission adopted a decision on the case. The State wishes to waive the existing unsecured loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3,0 million) if the Commission approves this and Ergee satisfies the conditions regarding the number of persons employed in production plants in Austria. In addition, the firm itself intends to make a contribution with the sale of assets[(cid:133)] (*) and with profits [(cid:133)] (*) expected for 1999 and 2000. Altogether, funds total ATS 494 million (ECU 35,8 million) and so ensure that the firm will return to a healthy financial situation. numbers employed had already been cut from 1 966 in 1996 to 1 397 in 1998. This is equivalent to a 29 % reduction. The necessary redundancy programme (mainly for Germany) will cost ATS 55,5 million (ECU 4,0 million). The following table gives the employment figures. Reduction in numbers employed 1996 1997 1998 Austria Czech Republic Germany Switzerland 521 1 215 225 5 417 926 197 8 390 921 78 8 Total 1 966 1 548 1 397 Total percentage compared with 1996 100,0 78,7 71,1 Labour shedding is chiefly the result of organisational changes within the group. The group will exercise better control over its production plants in Austria and the Czech Republic. It will also relinquish its storage facilities in Germany and concentrate its storage activity on the Austrian location. The German subsidiary will be converted into a marketing company. [(cid:133)] (*)The organisational changes at the Austrian location will cost ATS 1 million (ECU 0,1 million). replaced experienced After GBI’s takeover of Ergee, the Ergee and Loana a. s. , board members were reorganisation by managers. The GBI also sent Ergee two of its marketing and financial control experts to strengthen the firm’s management capacity. The Ergee supervisory board was also replaced by experienced reorganisation managers and textile experts. The changes at management level were necessary in order to achieve cost-cutting measures so as to make production more efficient and shorten product throughput times in the factories in Austria and the Czech Republic. Consultants are also responsible restructuring implementing measures. [(cid:133)] (*). the for In order to guarantee long-term profitability, the group must also redefine its market position and improve its brand and product strategy. [(cid:133)] (*). The operational restructuring measures are to be financed mainly by a State-guaranteed operating loan of up to ATS 90 million (ECU 6,5 million). 5. 6. 2. Operational restructuring measures The total cost of the operational restructuring measures is ATS 84,1 million (ECU 6,1 million). The group’s main task is to shed labour, in order to improve its cost structure. This is why 5. 6. 3. Restructuring measures associated with investment Austria has indicated that the group must invest in order to return to long-term profitability. The group is planning investment of ATS 76 million (ECU 5,5 million) for the period 1997 to 1999, which an average is equivalent to [(cid:133)] (*) of turnover. 28. 8. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 227/7 The bulk of the investment will be devoted to the expansion and technical modernisation of the central storage facilities at the Austrian location (cid:151) since the central storage facilities in Germany are to be closed (cid:151) and the provision of software and hardware or its adaptation to the state of the art. A smaller proportion of investment will be devoted to the stock of machinery: old, written-off machines are to be replaced so that a high standard of quality can be maintained, new fibres and more ambitious designs can be processed and material costs can be cut substantially. Austria has stated that in recent years the group had reduced its tangible assets. The following figures show that the value of the machinery newly acquired (cid:151) either by purchase or by leasing (cid:151) was lower than the depreciation and leasing costs of the machinery used by the group, although much of it had already been completely written off. Changes in the value of machinery 1996 1997 1998 ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) Acquisition of new machines (purchase and leasing) 24,0 1,7 19,3 1,4 15,6 1,1 Depreciation and leasing costs ﬂ 30,7 ﬂ 2,2 ﬂ 31,6 ﬂ 2,3 ﬂ 21,4 ﬂ 1,6 New acquisitions as percentage of depreciation and leasing costs 78 % 61 % 73 % The investment is to be financed by the new ATS 40 million (ECU 2,9 million) State loan and further bank loans. The Commission takes the view that the investment is limited to the minimum necessary to permit the restructuring of the group. 5. 6. 4. Estimated accounts The Commission has examined the estimated balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and cash flow figures up to the year restructuring 2000 in order to determine whether measures will restore the firm’s viability. the estimated accounts were presented in full and the underlying assumptions were explained in detail. finds that the It As a result of the strategy of reducing the product range, shedding labour and trimming production capacity, the group will reduce its output. In the year 2000 this will still be below the l997 figures. improvement will be achieved mainly by a substantial cut in employee expenditure as a proportion of output from 41,7 % in 1997 to 34,0 % in 1998. Because of the continuing high expenditure on interest the result for usual business activity will, however, remain in the negative area. According to the plan the group will make a profit [(cid:133)] (*). The improvement is based on further cost-cutting measures and a more efficient production process. According to the estimated accounts, in the year 2000, the group will increase its profits to [(cid:133)] (*), i. e. [(cid:133)] (*) % of output. This figure makes it clear that although the group must continue to manage its costs, it is quite capable of being restored to viability. in 1999. Mainly as a result of the waived repayment of the bank loan and the capital injection from the GBI, the group registered positive capital of l5,2 % of the balance-sheet total as early as 1997. With the help of a further capital injection from GBI and retained profits for 1999 and 2000, equity capital will amount to 27,8 % of the balance-sheet total in the year 2000. In the Commission’s judgment, the group will be in a healthy financial situation in the year 2000. The Commission notes that (cid:151) despite a considerable decrease in output in 1998 as compared with the previous year ((cid:150) 6 %) (cid:151) the operating result will be positive as early as 1998. This the Commission feels that the projections prove Therefore, that the group has the prospect of long-term viability and is in a position to operate on its own merits and without further State support. L 227/8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 8. 1999 The following table summarises the most important figures of the Commission’s analysis: Profit and loss account (Group) ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) 1997 1998 1999 2000 Output Operating result Financial result 949,8 68,8 893,7 64,8 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) ﬂ 97,2 ﬂ 7,0 6,2 0,4 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) ﬂ 37,4 ﬂ 2,7 ﬂ 19,7 ﬂ 1,4 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) Result for usual business activity ﬂ 134,6 ﬂ 9,8 ﬂ 13,5 ﬂ 1,0 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) Balance sheet (Group) ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) ATS (million) ECU (million) 1997 1998 1999 2000 Equity capital Liabilities 113,0 8,2 117,3 8,5 149,9 10,9 185,0 13,4 550,8 39,9 506,0 36,7 476,2 34,5 440,5 31,9 Balance-sheet total 663,8 48,1 623,3 45,2 624,1 45,2 625,5 45,3 5. 7. Avoidance of undue distortions of competition through the aid The Commission has examined whether measures have been taken to offset adverse effects of the restructuring aid on competitors. the amount of aid received, to the restructuring of the industry serving the relevant market in the Community by irreversibly reducing or closing capacity. A reduction or closure is irreversible when the relevant assets are scrapped, rendered permanently incapable of producing at the previous rate, or permanently converted to another use. 5. 7. 1. Reduction of production capacity that external factors have The Commission notes also contributed to the group’s difficulties. According to the results of a survey (8), 40 % of consumers wishing to cut back on their expenditure do so by reducing their expenditure on purchases of clothing. In addition, textile demand is declining by 5 % to 7 % annually in Europe. At the same time, imports from the Far East are increasing. These factors resulted in downward pressure on prices, predatory competition and structural overcapacity. The Commission also notes that Austria does not dispute the existence of structural overcapacity on the relevant market. that the firm must The Commission notes replace old written-off machines as part of the restructuring measures, in order to be able to maintain a high standard of quality, to process new fibres and more ambitious designs and to improve its efficiency, so that the group’s long-term viability is secured. The replacement of machines does not, however, lead to any increase in total machinery or in capacity. Austria has proved that at group level and taking into account not only its own machines, but those which have been leased, not only is the number of machines diminished, but also potential production capacity, expressed in units per day, is irrevocably reduced. Thus, the group will reduce knitting capacity by 11 %, the toe-closing capacity by 23,9 % and flat-knitting capacity by 51,2 %. These are the relevant capacities for the manufacture of the group’s products. The proportion of leased machines in relation to own machines is small. In accordance with point 3. 2. 2 (ii) of the restructuring plan must make a contribution, proportionate to the guidelines, (8) Carried out by the magazine (cid:145)TV H(cid:246)ren und Sehen(cid:146), March 1995. (cid:133) (*) The following table gives an overview of changes in the group’s production capacities. 28. 8. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 227/9 The Commission also notes that the reduction of production capacities was accompanied by a 28,9 % cut in the workforce, together with a reduction in the group’s storage area from 24 000 m2 to 13 000 m2 and a 15 % reduction in the product range. In addition the Commission again points out that the group will not have increased its output above the 1997 level by the year 2000. the loan is necessary to guarantee the financing of the necessary investment. The Commission has also taken into account the fact that in accordance with the EFTA Surveillance Authority decision of 11 May 1994, the firm is situated in an assisted area under Article 92(3)(c) of the EC Treaty with a permissible maximum aid intensity of 20 % net. According to the information provided by Austria, Ergee has a market share of 10,9 % and 6 % in the largest markets, Austria and Germany. Ergee’s market shares are not significant in the other EEA countries. Ergee is therefore a comparatively small competitor on the EEA market. 5. 7. 2. The competition-distorting effect of State aid measures As regards the planned waiver of the existing, unsecured State loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3,0 million), the Commission takes the view that this contribution is necessary to ensure that the group has sufficient liquid funds. The Commission has also borne in mind that, according to the information provided by Austria, the State would lose the entire amount if Ergee were to go bankrupt. Furthermore, the State is acting in the same way as Ergee’s banks, which are also waiving 100 % of their unsecured loans. Also, the waiver of the loan is conditional on the number of employees which are employed by Ergee by the year 2000. With the help of the guarantee of ATS 90 million (ECU 6,5 million), Ergee can procure enough liquid funds to finance its restructuring measures. it the prospect of long-term viability and its The Commission points out, however, that Ergee does not have to make any payment for this guarantee. Since the group financial has position has already been corrected, is not necessary to waive the guarantee charge in order to restore the firm’s viability. In addition the group’s financial expenditure is only some 2 % of output. So it can be shown that a free-of-charge justified. Failure to make a charge would guarantee is not reduce the firm’s financial burden up to the year 2000 to an unjustified extent. The Commission consequently takes the view that the guarantee constitutes State aid, since Ergee does not have to pay for it on normal market terms, and as such is not compatible with the common market. 5. 8. Aid in proportion to the restructuring costs and benefits As regards the new State loan of ATS 40 million (ECU 2,9 million), the Commission has reached the conclusion that The Commission has examined whether the aid is limited to the strict minimum needed for the restructuring of the firm. In the following table the contributions to the group’s restructuring are again summarised. Contributions to restructuring ATS (million) ECU (million) Waiving of State loan New loan State-guaranteed loans 42,0 40,0 90,0 Total State aid 172,0 Contribution by parent company 50,0 3,0 2,9 6,5 12,5 3,6 % 6,5 6,1 13,8 26,4 7,7 Retained profits in 1999 and 2000 [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) Sale of capital assets [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) [(cid:133)] (*) Waiving of bank loans Further necessary bank financing Total company contribution 63,5 338,0 23,8 Total bank contribution 365,6 4,6 24,5 1,7 26,5 9,8 51,9 4,2 56,2 Total of all contributions 651,1 47,2 100,0 L 227/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 8. 1999 The table shows that the restructuring of the firm is mainly contribution financed by the banks amounts firm’s the to 26,4 % of contribution to 9,8 % and that of the parent company, GBI, to 7,7 %. (56,2 %). The State costs, restructuring The above percentages show that State aid is in an appropriate proportion to the restructuring costs and to the contributions of the other parties involved. The Commission, however, again points out that provision of the guarantee without charge is not necessary to restore the viability of the firm. This guarantee is therefore not compatible with the common market. 5. 9. The nature of the existing State loan Austria has established that the existing loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3,0 million) was investment of ATS 92,7 million (ECU 6,7 million) in 1994 and 1995. A detailed breakdown of the investment costs was provided. intended for the Law to promote the labour market; The existing loan was provided in accordance with Article 35a of this Law was entered by the EFTA Surveillance Authority as number 93-359 in the list of existing regional aid schemes. The Commission therefore takes the view that this aid is covered by an existing aid scheme. The Commission also finds that according to the information provided by Austria, Ergee was not involved in the bankruptcy proceedings of the German parent company and was not in difficulties when the loan was granted. The Commission has therefore reached the conclusion that this loan is an investment aid. The Commission finds that Ergee is applying for restructuring aid for the first time. 5. 10. No extension of rescue aid On 17 December 1997 the Commission approved rescue aid in the form of a guarantee and a payment on account by GBI in respect of a subsequent increase in equity capital for the period July 1997 to the end of 1997. According to the information provided by Austria, the guarantee was granted only until the end of 1997. However, Ergee still has the funds of ATS 25 million (ECU 1,8 million) made available by the GBI. In its decision on the rescue aid, the Commission ruled that without a soundly based restructuring plan it could be neither proved nor expected that a normal return on investment could time. The be achieved within an appropriate period of conclusion that Commission therefore the reached the measures of the GBI, at the time when the rescue measures were carried out, may have comprised State aid. But since the Commission has already found that the measures of the GBI since the restructuring phase are based on business principles and do not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 92 of the EC Treaty, there is in fact no reason to regard the capital injection from GBI as an extension of rescue aid. 6. CONCLUSIONS The Commission concludes that the activities of the GBI are to be equated with those of a private investor and do not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 92 of the EC Treaty. The Commission takes the view that Austria has submitted a realistic, coherent and far-ranging restructuring plan and has shown that the group has the potential for long-term viability and is in a position to operate on its own merits without further State support. The reduction in production capacity is considerable and is sufficient to prevent unjustified market distortions. The State aid is in an appropriate proportion to the other the restructuring costs and the contributions of parties involved. The Commission also takes the view that Ergee has applied for restructuring aid for the first time. Lastly, there is in fact no longer any reason to regard the capital rescue aid. The injection from GBI as an extension of Commission does, however, take the view that the provision of the guarantee without charge is not necessary to restore the firm’s viability. This would give the group an unjustified advantage. The Commission therefore approves only the provision of a new State loan of ATS 40 million (ECU 2,9 million) and the waiving of the interest on and repayment of the existing State loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3,0 million). The Commission, however, takes the view that State aid in the form of a guarantee of ATS 90 million (ECU 6,5 million) to Ergee free of charge is not compatible with the common market. The Commission has therefore reached the conclusion that the provision of a new State loan of ATS 40 million (ECU 2,9 million) and the waiving of the interest on and repayment of the existing State loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3,0 million) contributes to the development of certain economic activities without adversely affecting trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. The Commission therefore decides that the State aid measures can be considered to be compatible with the common market in accordance with the the EC Treaty and Article first part of Article 92(3)(c) of 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. However, the State aid in the form of a guarantee of ATS 90 million (ECU 6,5 million), free of charge, does adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the therefore not compatible with the common market. common interest and is 28. 8. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 227/11 The Commission requests Austria to inform it within two months of publication of this decision of the measures it has taken to comply with it. Article 2 In accordance with section 3 of the Commission guidelines, the Commission requests Austria to submit detailed annual reports in order to prove that the restructuring plan is being properly implemented, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The State aid which Austria wishes the Ergee Textilwerk GmbH, Schrems, in the form of a waiver of interest on and repayment of a State loan of ATS 42 million (ECU 3,0 million) and of a new State loan of ATS 40 million (ECU 2,9 million), is compatible with the common market. to grant the Ergee The State aid which Austria wishes Textilwerk GmbH, Schrems, in the form of a guarantee of up to ATS 90 million (ECU 6,5 million), free of charge, is not compatible with the common market. This aid must not therefore be granted. to grant Austria shall submit detailed annual reports in order to prove that the restructuring plan is being properly implemented. Article 3 Austria shall inform the Commission within two months of notification of this Decision of the measures it has taken to comply with it. Article 4 This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Austria. Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998. For the Commission Karel VAN MIERT Member of the Commission


title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG nr. 3832/98 van Paul RÜBIG aan de Commissie. Gevolgen van de internationale financiële turbulentie voor de Europese staalmarkt - Opleiding en bij- en nascholing

eurovoc_concepts:
competitiveness
economic recession
import policy
in-service training
iron and steel industry
production improvement
protectionism
steel
technical education
vocational training

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title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG nr. 3830/98 van Paul RÜBIG aan de Commissie. Gevolgen van de internationale financiële turbulentie voor de Europese staalmarkt - Faire wereldhandel

eurovoc_concepts:
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anti-dumping legislation
anti-subsidy proceeding
economic recession
import policy
liberalisation of the market
protectionism
restriction on competition
steel
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eurovoc_concepts:
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Spain
application of EU law
confectionery product
free movement of goods
human nutrition
infringement procedure (EU)
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eurovoc_concepts:
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Portugal
cessation of trading
electronic component
investment aid
redemption

text: C 370/10 Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften DE 21. 12. 1999 Das Bürgermeisteramt von Las Palmas de Gran Canarias hat das Enteignungsverfahren im Zusammenhang mit dem Umweltsanierungsprogramm „El Confital e el Rincón“ noch nicht eingeleitet. Der Grund dafür ist der nunmehr von einer Entscheidung des höchsten spanischen Gerichts bestimmte Rechtsrahmen für Enteignungen. Das Programm hängt mit dem Programm zur Beseitigung von Armutsvierteln zusammen und beinhaltet den Abriß von 108 ungesunden Wohnungen in den betreffenden Zonen. Im Rahmen des Enteignungsverfahrens müssen zum gegebenen Zeitpunkt selbstverständlich wirtschaftliche Kompensationen nach den Kriterien des „Ley de Régimen del suelo y valoraciones“ von 1998 vorgesehen sein. Das Bürgermeisteramt verfaßt zur Zeit für jeden Einzelfall den entsprechenden Bericht, anhand dessen die Behörde für Sozialarbeit die wirtschaftliche und soziale Situation der betroffenen Familien genau ermitteln wird, um ihnen Hilfen zur Vereinfachung und zum Ausgleich ihres Umzugs und ihrer Neueinrichtung zu gewähren. (1) ABl. C 142 vom 21. 5. 1999, S. 147. (1999/C 370/013) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-3801/98 von Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) an die Kommission (22. Dezember 1998) Betrifft: Vertragsbruch von Texas-Samsung (Maia) gegenüber dem portugiesischen Staat Das Halbleiterunternehmen Texas Instruments-Samsung Electronic (TISE) kündigte vergangene Woche seinen 748 Mitarbeitern an, daß die in Maia F Portugal ansässige Fabrik ihre Produktion bis zum 31. März 1999 einstellen wird. Abgesehen von den enormen sozialen Problemen, die eine solche Entscheidung nach sich zieht, wurde von seiten des Unternehmens angekündigt, daß diese Entscheidung unumkehrbar ist; damit wird ein mit dem portugiesischen Staat geschlossener Vertrag gebrochen, der auf einem Programmvertrag beruht, der im Juli 1995 über einen Zeitraum bis zum Jahre 2004 geschlossen wurde und mit umfangreichen finanziellen Anreizen von seiten des „Joint venture“ einherging. Obwohl die portugiesische Regierung bereits eine Woche vorher von der beabsichtigten einseitigen Aufkündigung dieses Vertrages Kenntnis hatte, ging das Unternehmen mit der Entscheidung an die Öffentlichkeit, während der Vertrag auch weiterhin unter dem Vorwand nicht veröffentlicht wurde, daß seine Bekanntmachung dem Verhandlungsprozeß schaden könne, wobei der wichtigste Punkt die Rückgängigmachung der Anreize zu sein scheint, die dem Unternehmen im Rahmen des oben genannten Programmvertrags zugestanden wurden. Angesichts dieser unter mehreren Gesichtspunkten besonders schwierigen Lage und vor allem unter Hinweis auf die sozialen Auswirkungen erscheint es mir besonders angemessen und dringend, die Kommission zu fragen, ob sie Kenntnis von diesem Programmvertrag hat, ob hierfür Gemeinschaftsgelder gewährt wurden und welche Vorkehrungen getroffen wurden, um öffentliche Gelder, die sowohl auf nationaler als auch auf Gemeinschaftsebene bereitgestellt wurden, zu schützen? Ergänzende Antwort von Frau Wulf-Mathies im Namen der Kommission (28. April 1999) Im Rahmen des Industrieprogramms PEDIP II des zweiten Gemeinschaftlichen Förderkonzepts (1994- 1999) für Portugal haben die portugiesischen Behörden ein Projekt des Unternehmens Texas Samsung in Maia genehmigt. Fördermittel in Höhe von 10,6 Mio. EUR wurden für die Investitionen und 5,3 Mio. EUR für Berufs- bildungsmaßnahmen gezahlt. Diese Beträge wurden zu 75 % aus dem Europäischen Fonds für regionale Entwicklung bzw. aus dem Europäischen Sozialfonds kofinanziert. Die portugiesischen Behörden haben der Kommission mitgeteilt, daß das Verfahren zur Rückerstattung der Fördermittel eingeleitet wurde, das in dem vom portugiesichen Staat und vom Projektträger unterzeich- neten Investitionsvertrag vorgesehen war. Entsprechende Verhandlungen sind in Gang. Für den Fall, daß keine Einigung erzielt wird, sieht das portugiesische Recht ein Schlichtungsverfahren vor. Die Kommission wird den Herrn Abgeordneten über den Stand der Verhandlungen unterrichten, sobald ihr die portugiesichen Behörden diesbezügliche Informationen zur Verfügung stellen


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE Nr. 3812/98 von Concepció FERRER an die Kommission. Programme und Projekte im Bereich Telekommunikation, Informationstechnologien und audiovisuelle Medien in Katalonien

eurovoc_concepts:
Catalonia
EU aid
EU expenditure
audiovisual industry
information technology
telecommunications

text: C 142/152 Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften DE 21. 5. 1999 (1999/C 142/203) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-3812/98 von Concepció Ferrer (PPE) an die Kommission (22. Dezember 1998) Betrifft: Programme und Projekte im Bereich Telekommunikation, Informationstechnologien und au- diovisuelle Medien in Katalonien Kann die Kommission in Anbetracht der von ihr im Hinblick auf die Ausgaben verfolgte Politik der Transparenz für den Zeitraum 1994-1999 angeben, welche der in Katalonien durchgeführten Projekte jeweils Mittel erhalten haben, die für den Bereich Telekommunikation, Informationstechnologien und audiovisuelle Medien verfügbar sind? Kann die Kommission ferner angeben, welche Beträge schlußendlich für jedes der genannten Projekte zugewiesen wurden? Antwort von Frau Wulf-Mathies in Namen der Kommission (18. Januar 1999) Die Kommission holt gegenwärtig die zur Beantwortung der Frage erforderlichen Informationen ein. Sie wird das Ergebnis ihrer Nachforschungen unverzüglich mitteilen. (1999/C 142/204) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-3813/98 von Concepció Ferrer (PPE) an die Kommission (22. Dezember 1998) Betrifft: Programme und Projekte im Verkehrssektor in Katalonien Kann die Kommission in Anbetracht der von ihr im Hinblick auf die Ausgaben verfolgte Politik der Transparenz für den Zeitraum 1994-1999 angeben, welche der in Katalonien durchgeführten Projekte jeweils Mittel erhalten haben, die für den Verkehrssektor verfügbar sind? Kann die Kommission ferner angeben, welche Beträge schlußendlich für jedes der genannten Projekte zugewiesen wurden? Antwort von Frau Wulf-Mathies in Namen der Kommission (18. Januar 1999) Die Kommission holt gegenwärtig die zur Beantwortung der Frage erforderlichen Informationen ein. Sie wird das Ergebnis ihrer Nachforschungen unverzüglich mitteilen. (1999/C 142/205) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-3814/98 von Concepció Ferrer (PPE) an die Kommission (22. Dezember 1998) Betrifft: Programme und Projekte im Forschungs- und Enwicklungssektor in Katalonien Kann die Kommission in Anbetracht der von ihr im Hinblick auf die Ausgaben verfolgte Politik der Transparenz für den Zeitraum 1994-1999 angeben, welche der in Katalonien durchgeführten Projekte jeweils Mittel erhalten haben, die für den Bereich der Forschung und Entwicklung verfügbar sind? Kann die Kommission ferner angeben, welche Beträge schlußendlich für jedes der genannten Projekte zugewiesen wurden?


title: SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL nr. 3802/98 af Sérgio RIBEIRO Lukning af Nestlés fabrik i Matosinhos, Portugal (SUPPLERENDE SVAR)

eurovoc_concepts:
EU aid
France
Portugal
Spain
State aid
cessation of trading
foodstuff
investment aid
redemption
transfer of businesses

text: 21. 12. 1999 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende C 370/11 (1999/C 370/014) SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL E-3802/98 af Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) til Kommissionen (22. december 1998) Om: Lukning af Nestlés fabrik i Matosinhos, Portugal Nestlés fabrik Longa Vida i Matasinhos, Portugal, skal ifølge virksomhedens pr-direktør lukkes og dens produktionsafdeling overføres til Spanien eller Frankrig. Denne beslutning vil betyde arbejdsløshed for over hundrede arbejdstagere, hvor til kommer, at samme multinationale virksomhed tidligere har lukket fabrikken Rajá og Findus og desuden afskediget omkring 70 arbejdstagere fra fabrikken Longa Vida. Beslutningen er navnlig vigtig, da drejer sig om et moderne industrianlæg, der har modtaget finansiel støtte fra den portugisiske stat og Den Europæiske Union til investeringer, som i de seneste fem år, har beløbet sig til over 3000 millioner escudos. Da der desuden er tale om flytning af virksomhed inden for Den Europæiske Union, og der tilsyneladende er involveret store EU-støttebeløb, bedes Kommissionen oplyse følgende: Er den vidende om denne situation, findes der programkontrakter, som den er involveret i, eller som den er vidende om, og vil virksomheden Nestlé i forbindelse med en eventuel flytning igen modtage finansiel støtte? Supplerende svar afgivet på Kommissionens vegne af Monika Wulf-Mathies (3. maj 1999) Inden for rammerne af industriprogrammet PEDIP I under den første EF-støtteramme for Portugal i perioden 1989-1993 blev der iværksat et projekt af firmaet Nestlé i Matosinhos, Portugal, godkendt af de portugisiske myndigheder. Et beløb på 380 000 EUR blev afsat til formålet hvoraf 240 000 EUR blev udbetalt og 140 000 EUR frigjort. Af disse beløb ydede Den Europæiske Fond for Regionaludvikling 70 %. Gyldighedsperioden for den kontrakt, som blev underskrevet af den portugisiske stat og iværksætteren, er udløbet. Hvis fabrikken lukker, vil den portugisiske stat godtgørelse for støttebeløbet. ikke have noget kontraktgrundlag for at søge om Ifølge oplysninger fra de portugisiske myndigheder har Kommissionen ikke officielt kendskab til, at firmaet har planer om at flytte fra Portugal. (1999/C 370/015) SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL E-3916/98 af Viviane Reding (PPE) til Kommissionen (4. januar 1999) Om: Vertikale begrænsninger inden for ølsektoren Som bekendt vil Kommissionen, inden for rammerne af den planlagte reform af anvendelsen af de fastlagte konkurrenceregler, foreslå en generel nedskæring af antallet af vertikale begrænsninger. Er Kommissionen klar over, at den foreslåede tærskel på 40 % markedsandel kan få til følge, at alle bryggerier i Luxembourg må lukke? Enkelte bryggerier har en markedsandel på over 40 % og vil dermed ikke mere kunne indgå eneforhandlingsaftaler. Konkurrerende virksomheder i storregionen, som på deres nationale marked har en markedsandel på under 40 %, men hvis produktion langt overstiger hele Luxembourgs produktion, må imidlertid godt indgå sådanne aftaler. De små luxembourgske bryggerier kan så ikke mere klare sig i den konkurrence- og overlevelseskamp mellem de »store«, som føres med omfattende midler. Dette kan ikke være formålet med de nye ordninger, og dette bør Kommissionen tage med i sine overvejelser


title: INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA n. 3800/98 dell'on. Ernesto CACCAVALE alla Commissione. Candidatura alle elezioni europee del Presidente della Corte dei Conti europea

eurovoc_concepts:
European Court of Auditors
European Parliament
European election
Germany

text: C 142/150 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee IT 21. 5. 1999 Risposta comune data dal sig. Flynn in nome della Commissione alle interrogazioni scritte P-3727/98 e P-3728/98 (19 gennaio 1999) La Commissione si pregia di rinviare gli Onorevoli Parlamentari alla risposta da essa data all’interroga- zione orale H-1128/98 posta dall’On. Sjöstedt nell’ora delle interrogazioni della sessione di dicembre 1998 (1) del Parlamento. (1) Discussioni del Parlamento (dicembre 1998). (1999/C 142/199) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA P-3790/98 di Concepció Ferrer (PPE) alla Commissione (4 dicembre 1998) Oggetto: Programmi e progetti relativi alle PMI e al turismo in Catalogna Tenuto conto della politica di trasparenza attuata dalla Commissione in relazione alle proprie spese potrebbe essa comunicare quali progetti, tra quelli realizzati in Catalogna nel periodo 1994-1999, hanno beneficiato dei vari aiuti destinati alle PMI e al settore turistico? Potrebbe inoltre precisare la Commissione quali importi sono stati assegnati in definitiva a ciascuno di questi progetti? Risposta data dalla sig. ra Wulf-Mathies in nome della Commissione (18 gennaio 1999) La Commissione sta raccogliendo le informazioni necessarie per poter rispondere al quesito. Essa non mancherà di comunicare il risultato delle sue ricerche non appena possibile. (1999/C 142/200) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-3800/98 di Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) alla Commissione (22 dicembre 1998) Oggetto: Candidatura alle elezioni europee del Presidente della Corte dei Conti europea Negli ambienti del PE si fa sempre più insistente la voce secondo cui Bernhard Friedmann, Presidente della Corte dei Conti europea, intenda candidarsi alle prossime elezioni europee in Germania per la CSU; sempre secondo tale voce, tale intendimento sarebbe emerso in particolare nel corso di incontri tenuti nelle ultime settimane; pur se l’incompatibilità tra le funzioni di deputato europeo e di presidente o giudice della Corte dei Conti è esplicitamente prevista dai Trattati, nulla è specificato circa la possibilità di candidatura di un presidente in carica; 1. 2. non ritiene la Commissione che ove questa voce fosse confermata, ciò recherebbe pregiudizio all’indipendenza ed alla imparzialità della Corte sancite dall’art. 188 B del Trattato? non ritiene la Commissione, guardiana dei Trattati, che la lettera del Trattato ed in particolare l’art. 188 B comma 5, nonché le particolari e delicate funzioni riservate alla Corte dei Conti dovrebbero rendere impossibile per i membri della Corte stessa − e massimamente per il proprio presidente − una candidatura alle elezioni europee? 3. quale interpretazione della lettera e dello spirito dei Trattati intenderebbe asumere la Commissione ove tali voci trovassero conferma ufficiale?