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SSttaattee AAiidd WWeeeekkllyy ee--NNeewwss Nr. 8/08, 28.02.2008 22.02.2008 - 28.02.2008 HHiigghhlliigghhttss Commission requests Romania to recover €27 million unlawful aid from Automobile Craiova The European Commission has closed its in-depth investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the privatisation of Automobile Craiova. The investigation, opened in October 2007, found that Romania had imposed conditions on the sale that aimed at ensuring a certain production and employment level, accepting in exchange a lower sales price. The higher production and employment level achieved for Craiova through the conditional sale and the lower revenue Romania had conversely earned constitute state aid. In order to avoid that companies receive unfair advantages over competitors, aid can only be granted under strict conditions. None of these conditions applied to the privatisation and the aid is therefore incompatible with the Single Market. In order to redress the distortion of competition caused by the unlawful aid, the Romanian Government must recover €27 million from Automobile Craiova. Read more Commission launches probe into state bail-outs of IKB and Sachsen LB The European Commission has opened under EC Treaty state aid rules an in-depth investigation into state support measures in favour of the German banks IKB and Sachsen LB. As a consequence of investments in US sub-prime markets, both banks ran into financial difficulties. During the summer of 2007, the state owned bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) provided a risk shield of around €9 billion to IKB and a group of Landesbanken granted liquidity assistance of around €17 billion to SachsenLB. Without these and several subsequent measures the banks would not have been able to continue their business. The Commission has to assess whether these measures constitute state aid and, if so, whether they can be found compatible with EU rules for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulties. The opening of an investigation is common for state interventions of this magnitude and gives interested parties a possibility to submit their comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure. Read more For further information, click here Commission welcomes proposed changes to financing of Irish public service broadcasters and closes investigation The European Commission has decided to close its investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the financing regime of the Irish public service broadcasters RTÉ and TG4 following commitments from Ireland to amend the current regime. The main modifications concern the clarification of the public service remit, the entrustment of new activities, the transparency of accounts, supervision and control. The Commission concluded that the commitments were suitable to bring the regime in line with the state aid rules and ensure the necessary transparency and proportionality of funding. Ireland has now until December 2008 to implement these commitments in national law. Read more Commission closes investigation into financing of Flemish public service broadcaster VRT The European Commission has closed its investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the financing regime for VRT, the public service broadcaster in the Flemish community of Belgium in light of formal commitments by the Belgian authorities to amend the current regime. The modifications will clarify inter alia the definition and entrustment of the public service remit and introduce mechanisms

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to ensure the proportionality of the public funding. The Commission has concluded that these commitments would be suitable to ensure compliance with EU state aid rules. Belgium now has twelve months to implement the commitments. Read more Structural Reforms to the Energy Market Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy European Affairs Platform Brussels, 27th February 2008 To read the full speech, click here

II.. DDrraafftt lleeggiissllaattiioonn aanndd ppuubblliicc ccoonnssuullttaattiioonnss

Review of the Framework on State aid to Shipbuilding – consultation paper bg cs da de et el en es fr it lt lv hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv Deadline for comments: 26 March 2008 Interested parties may submit their replies, indicating the consultation reference "HT.617", to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels E-mail: stateaidgreffe@ec.europa.eu The Commission plans to make accessible the replies to this questionnaire on its website. Therefore, to the extent that respondents do not wish their identity or parts of the response to be divulged, this should be clearly indicated and a non-confidential version should be submitted at the same time. In the absence of any indication of confidential parts, the Commission will assume that the response contains no confidential elements and can be divulged in its entirety.

Results of the consultation on the draft Guidelines on State aid to railway undertakings To see the results, click here Revision of the Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting - Questionnaire for public consultation bg cs da de et el en es fr it lt lv hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv Explanatory memorandum regarding the questionnaire Press release Deadline for comments: 10 March 2008 Interested parties may submit their replies to the questionnaire to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition State aid Registry HT 963 B-1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 E-mail: stateaidgreffe@ec.europa.eu Please note that all comments/submissions will be made public on the Commission website. If therefore you consider that your submission contains confidential information please indicate so clearly in your submission. In the absence of any indication to the contrary the Commission will consider that submissions can be published as such.

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Closed public consultations: DG Competition DG Agriculture DG Transport and Energy DG Fisheries

IIII.. NNeeww lleeggiissllaattiioonn

-none-

IIIIII.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo ooppeenn ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn 11.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttaakkeenn bbyy tthhee CCoommmmiissssiioonn

Country Title Case number Objective Decision

date

DG Competition cases

Germany IKB

Press Release

Memo

C 10/2008 (ex 7/2008)

27.02.2008

Germany Sachsen LB

Press Release

Memo

C 9/2008 (ex 8/2008)

27.02.2008

22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppeennddiinngg OOJJ ppuubblliiccaattiioonn Click here to see the full list 33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ ffrroomm 2288..0011..22000077 ttoo 2288..0022..22000088 –– FFoorrmmaall ccoommmmeennttss ppeerriioodd rruunnnniinngg * Where the last day of the public comments period falls on a public holiday in a Member State, the deadline for comments of parties residing in that Member State ends on the following working day.

Country Title/Links to documents Case

number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

France Fiscalité des contrats d'assurance maladie solidaires

OJ C 38 of 12.02.2008, p. 10 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 12.03.2008

C 50/2007 (ex N 894/2006)

Social support to individual consumers

13.11.2007

4

Italy Aid to Fluorite di Silius S.p.A.

OJ C 30 of 02.02.2008, p. 28 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 03.03.2008

C 60/2007 (ex NN 62/2007)

11.12.2007

Italy Rescue aid to Ixfin

OJ C 30 of 02.02.2008, p. 21 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 03.03.2008

C 59/2007 (ex NN 13/2006)

Rescuing aid 11.12.2007

Slovakia Tax exemption to ALAS Slovakia s.r.o

OJ C 30 of 02.02.2008, p. 13 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Deadline for comments*: 03.03.2008

C 57/2007 (ex N 843/2006)

Regional development aid

11.12.2007

DG Transport and Energy cases

Greece State aid to Olympic Airways Services/Olympic Airlines

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 13 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 25.03.2008

C 61/2007 (ex NN 71/2007)

19.12.2007

Denmark Amendments to the existing tonnage tax scheme (Tonnageskatteordningen)

OJ C 48 of 21.02.2008, p. 16 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 25.03.2008

C 58/2007 (ex N 240/2007)

Sectoral development aid

11.12.2007

Czech Republic

Public service compensation for Southern Moravia Bus Companies (CAS Services)

OJ C 43 of 16.02.2008, p. 19 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 17.03.2008

C 3/2008 (ex NN 102/2005)

Services of general economic interest

15.01.2008

France Airport Marketing Services

OJ C 41 of 15.02.2008, p. 11 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 17.03.2008

C 53/2007 (ex NN 12/2007)

Sectoral development aid

28.11.2007

5

Germany Public service contract between Deutsche Bahn Regio and the Länder of Berlin and Brandenburg

OJ C 35 of 08.02.2008, p. 13 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 10.03.2008

C 47/2007 (ex NN 22/2005)

Sectoral development aid

23.10.2007

IIVV.. FFiinnaall CCoommmmiissssiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss 11.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttaakkeenn bbyy tthhee CCoommmmiissssiioonn 11..11.. NNoo oobbjjeeccttiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss

Country Title Case number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Italy Aid to cableways in small ski resorts – Veneto.

N 731/2007 No aid 27.02.2008

Spain State aid to "supramunicipal" cultural activities - Basque Country

N 778/2007 Culture aid 22.02.2008

DG Transport and Energy cases

Germany Derogation from the taxation on gas oil for stevedoring companies

Press Release

N 643/2006 27.02.2008

DG Fisheries cases

Belgium Promotie Visserij e aquacultuur N 571/2007 26.02.2008

Netherlands Waddenfund N 677c/2006 26.02.2008

11..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

Country Title Case number Objective Decision

date

DG Competition cases

Romania Privatisation of Automobile Craiova.

Negative decision with recovery

Press release

C 46/2007 (ex NN 59/2007)

27.02.2008

22.. PPuubblliicc vveerrssiioonnss ooff ddeecciissiioonnss mmaaddee aavvaaiillaabbllee 22..11.. NNoo oobbjjeeccttiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss

6

Country Title Case

number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Belgium Aide RDI : Région wallonne N 583/2007 R&D aid 23.01.2008

Germany Innovation advisory&support PRO INNO II. R&D&I-scheme.

N 613/2007 Innovation aid

23.01.2008

Germany Innovation advisory & support. R&D&I-scheme

N 612/2007 Innovation aid

23.01.2008

Italy Support to industrial research and experimental development activities in the Region Marche

N 457/2007 R&D aid 21.01.2008

Spain R+D scheme for enterprises in Castilla-León,

N 312/2007 R&D aid 17.01.2008

United Kingdom

Northern Ireland Spinouts (NISPO): the Young Innovative Enterprise (YIE) Scheme

N 373/2007 R&D aid 17.01.2008

22..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

-- NNoonnee-- 33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ 33..11.. NNoo oobbjjeeccttiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss * Decisions not to raise objections are frequently grouped together in one single document for publication in the Official Journal. Since the link can only be made to the top of the first page of the document, you may have to scroll down in the document to find a particular case.

Country Title/ Links to documents* Case

number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Austria Haftungsregelung für die Umstrukturierung von KMU in Niederösterreich

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 4 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 499/2007 Restructuring aid

04.12.2007

France Aide à la restructuration de la société Imprimerie nationale

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 1 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 370/2004 Restructuring aid

20.07.2005

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Germany Mobilität und bodengebundener Verkehr

OJ C 55 of 28.02.2008, p. 2 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 681/2007 R&D aid 20.12.2007

Germany VC-Fonds Technologie Berlin (Technology-Venture Capital Fund)

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 5 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 500/2007 Risk capital aid 12.12.2007

Germany VC Fonds Kreativwirtschaft Berlin

OJ C 55 of 28.02.2008, p. 1 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 467/2007 Risk capital aid 18.12.2007

Netherlands Subsidy to NV Bergkwartier

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 2 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 393/2007 Heritage conservation aid

15.01.2008

Spain Prórroga y modificación de ayuda para acciones de ahorro, eficiencia energética, cogeneración y energías renovables, Castilla y León

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 2 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 436/2007 Environmental aid

12.12.2007

Sweden Aid to Posten AB - prolongation 2008

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 3 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 515/2007 Services of general economic interest

11.12.2007

Sweden Investeringsstöd till äldrebostäder

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 3 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

N 798/2006 Sectoral development aid

07.03.2007

33..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

Country Title/ Links to documents Case number Objective Decision

date DG Competition cases Netherlands Ad hoc financing of Dutch public

broadcasters

Partially negative decision with recovery, Partially positive decision

OJ L 49 of 22.02.2008, p. 1 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

C 2/2004 (ex NN 170/2003)

Sectoral development aid

22.06.2006

DG Transport and Energy cases

8

Cyprus Cyprus Airways Public Ltd — Restructuring plan

Positive decision

OJ L 49 of 22.02.2008, p. 25 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

C 10/2006 (ex N 555/2005)

Restructuring aid

07.03.2007

DG Fisheries cases United Kingdom

First time shareholders scheme implemented by the United Kingdom

Negative decision with recovery

OJ L 55 of 28.02.2008, p. 27 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

C 39/2006 (ex NN 94/2005)

13.11.2007

United Kingdom

Fish factory improvement scheme implemented in the United Kingdom

Negative decision with recovery

OJ L 48 of 22.02.2008, p. 71 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

C 38/2006 (ex NN 93/2005)

13.11.2007

United Kingdom

Fishing Vessel Modernisation Scheme implemented in the United Kingdom

Negative decision with recovery

OJ L 48 of 22.02.2008, p. 65 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

C 37/2006 (ex NN 91/2005)

13.11.2007

VV.. OOtthheerr ttyyppeess ooff ddeecciissiioonnss Country Title/ Links to documents Case

number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Decisions taken by the Commission

Belgium State funding for Flemish public broadcaster VRT

Proposal for appropriate measures

Press Release

E 8/2006 Services of general economic interest

27.02.2008

Belgium Régime fiscal des centres de coordination

Corrigendum

C 15/2002 (ex E 1/2000)

22.02.2008

9

Ireland State aid financing of RTE and TNAG (TG4)

Proposal for appropriate measures

Press Release

E 4/2005 Services of general economic interest

27.02.2008

Sweden Scheme for reduced social security contributions in certain service sectors

Corrigendum

N 581/2007 22.02.2008

Decisions published in the OJ

Sweden Relief from CO2 tax on fuels consumed in installations covered by the EU Emission Trading Scheme

Withdrawal of notification (after formal investigation procedure)

OJ C 55 of 28.02.2008, p. 28 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

C 46/2006 (ex N 347/2006)

Environmental aid

23.08.2007

VVII.. BBlloocckk eexxeemmppttiioonnss IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn sshheeeettss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ * Block exemption information sheets are frequently grouped together in one single document for publication in the Official Journal. Since the link can only be made to the top of the first page of the document, you may have to scroll down in the document to find a particular case.

Country Title/Links to documents* Case

number Objective

Austria Richtlinien betreffend die Gewährung von nicht rückzahlbaren Zuschüssen an kleine und mittlere Unternehmen gemäß dem Landes-Wirtschaftsförderungsgesetz 1994 - WiföG

OJ C 55 of 2802.2008, p. 18 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 24/2008 SME aid

Austria Richtlinien über die Schwerpunktförderung der Tourismuswirtschaft gemäß dem Landes-Wirtschaftsförderungsgesetz 1994 – WiföG

OJ C 55 of 2802.2008, p. 17 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 23/2008 SME aid

Austria ERP-Internationalisierungsprogramm

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 12 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 12/2008 SME aid

Austria Richtlinien über die Schwerpunktförderung der Tourismuswirtschaft gemäß dem Landes-Wirtschaftsförderungsgesetz 1994 – WiföG

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 20 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 21/2008 Training aid

10

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV INEOS MANUFACTURING BELGIUM te Antwerpen (dossier 2007G00157)

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 19 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 17/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV VLAAMSE MEDIA MAATSCHAPPIJ te Vilvoorde (dossier 2007G00085)

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 19 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 16/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de BVBA VEURNE SNACK FOODS te Veurne (dossier 2007G00179)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 18 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 15/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV RECTICEL te Wetteren (dossier 2007G00106)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 17 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 14/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de BVBA PBI FRUIT JUICE COMPANY te Zeebrugge (dossier 2007G00001)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 17 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 13/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV ALPRO te Wevelgem (dossier 2007G00188)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 16 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 12/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV FORD-WERKE GMBH Fabrieken te Genk (2007G00017)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 16 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 11/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV ALCATEL-LUCENT BELL, Antwerpen (2007G00153)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 15 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 10/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV BETAFENCE te Zwevegem (2007G00043)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 14 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 9/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV ASCO INDUSTRIES, Zaventem (2007G00177)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 14 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 8/2008 Training aid

11

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV ARCOMET SERVICE, Beringen-Paal (2007G00141)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 13 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 7/2008 Training aid

Belgium Ad hoc opleidingssteun aan de NV THERMOTE & VANHALST te Waregem (dossier 2007G00104)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 13 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 6/2008 Training aid

France Programme d’appui à la création et à la transmission des exploitations en agriculture volet investissements et dispositifs départementaux de soutien à l’installation en agriculture

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 8 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XA 234/2007 SME aid

Germany Richtlinie des Sächsischen Staatsministeriums für Umwelt und Landwirtschaft für die Förderung von besonderen Initiativen zur Entwicklung der Land- und Forstwirtschaft

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 11 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XA 7046/2007

SME aid

Germany Investitionskapital des Landes NRW für KMU

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 20 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 19/2008 SME aid

Germany Hamburgische Schiffbau-Versuchsanstalt GmbH

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 11 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 8/2008 SME aid

Germany Richtlinie über die Gewährung von Zuwendungen nach dem Programm „Weiterbildungsoffensive für den Mittelstand (WOM)“

OJ C 54 of 27.02.2008, p. 20 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XT 20/2008 Training aid

Ireland Livestock Expo 2008

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 10 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XA 236/2007 Agriculture aid

Italy Interventi di reindustrializzazione destinati alle aree di crisi industriale non comprese nella Carta degli aiuti 2007-2013

OJ C 55 of 2802.2008, p. 17 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 22/2008 SME aid

Italy Interventi a favore delle PMI industriali e loro consorzi per favorire il trasferimento delle conoscenze e dell'innovazione (interventi a favore della brevettazione di prodotti propri e dell'acquisizione di brevetti, marchi e know how)

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 10 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 7/2008 SME aid

12

Latvia Support to Market promotion of organic products

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 9 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XA 235/2007 Agriculture aid

Poland FINEPHARM Sp. z o. o.

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 19 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 14/2008 SME aid

Poland Zakład Produkcyjno-Handlowy „Zakmet” Kazimierz Chawchunowicz

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 10 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 6/2008 SME aid

Poland Uchwała nr VI/40/07 Rady Miejskiej Gminy Rawicz w sprawie zwolnień przedmiotowych od podatku od nieruchomości na terenie Gminy Rawicz w celu udzielenia pomocy regionalnej na wspieranie inwestycji początkowych lub tworzenie nowych miejsc pracy związanych z inwestycją początkową

OJ C 55 of 2802.2008, p. 19 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XR 176/2007 Regional aid

Poland Wsparcie nowej inwestycji z Funduszu Strefowego

OJ C 55 of 2802.2008, p. 20 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XR 173/2007 Regional aid

Slovakia Investment aid scheme for farmers active in primary production in a form of tax relieves or tax write-offs

OJ C 50 of 23.02.2008, p. 7 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XA 232/2007 SME aid

Spain Ayudas para la bonificación de los gastos financieros - Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 11 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 9/2008 SME aid

United Kingdom

Rural Development Plan for Wales – measure code 124 Cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies in the agricultural and food sector and in the forestry sector

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 21 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 21/2008 SME aid

United Kingdom

Rural Development Plan for Wales – measure code 123 Adding Value to Agricultural and Forestry Products for SMEs involved in processing and marketing

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 20 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 20/2008 SME aid

United Kingdom

Welsh Red Meat Technical Support (Processors and Marketers) Scheme

OJ C 52 of 26.02.2008, p. 19 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

XS 18/2008 SME aid

13

VVIIII.. EEuurrooppeeaann CCoouurrtt ooff JJuussttiiccee ** IInn oorrddeerr ttoo ccoonnssuulltt tthhee aavvaaiillaabbllee llaanngguuaaggeess ooff ddooccuummeennttss uuppllooaaddeedd iinn tthhee CCuurriiaa wweebbssiittee,, pplleeaassee cclliicckk oonn tthhee eeaarrtthh ssyymmbbooll oonn tthhee lleefftt ssiiddee ttoooollbbaarr..

11.. CCoouurrtt ooff FFiirrsstt IInnssttaannccee

--nnoonnee-- 22.. CCoouurrtt ooff JJuussttiiccee

Court case Title Country Type of act Date Related case

C-320/05 P

OJ C 51 of 23.02.2008, p. 28 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

Appeal by Fred Olsen SA against CFI judgment in case T-17/02 Olsen v Commission

Spain Order

4.10.2007 T 17/02

NN 48/2001

VVIIIIII.. EEuurrooppeeaann EEccoonnoommiicc AArreeaa Based on the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), the EFTA States participating in the EEA have entrusted the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court with similar decision making powers to that of the Commission and the European Court of Justice, respectively, in the field of state aid for the EFTA States.

11.. DDeecciissiioonnss ooff tthhee EEFFTTAA SSuurrvveeiillllaannccee AAuutthhoorriittyy

Country Title/Links to documents Case number Objective Decision

date Decisions published in the OJ

Iceland The map of assisted areas and levels of aid

(Decision 378/06/COL)

Press release

OJ L 54 of 28.02.2008, p. 28 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

60376 06.12.2006

Norway The maps of assisted areas and levels of aid

(Decision 226/06/COL)

Press release

OJ L 54 of 28.02.2008, p. 21 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

60134 Regional aid

19.07.2006

22.. EEFFTTAA CCoouurrtt

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-none- 33.. SSttaattee AAiidd NNeeww LLeeggiissllaattiioonn EFTA Surveillance Authority decision amending for the fifty-sixth time the procedural and substantive rules in the field of State aid (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) — New Chapter 25.B National Regional aid — 2007-2013. Decision 85/06/COL of 06.04.2006

OJ L 54 of 28.02.2008, p. 1 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv

44.. OOtthheerr EEEEAA ppooiinnttss ooff iinntteerreesstt

-none-

IIXX.. AAddddiittiioonnaall ppooiinnttss ooff iinntteerreesstt Publication of Postal Directive marks start date for real market opening The Third Postal Directive was published on 27 February in the Official Journal. The publication marks the entry into force of the directive and sets the clock ticking for abolishing legal monopolies on postal services by 31 December 2010. The Directive is the result of a broad political consensus on the way forward for the regulatory framework of European postal services. The Commission will monitor and assist Member States pro-actively in implementing the Directive. In particular, it will pay close attention to potential entry barriers that would deprive users of the benefit of a dynamic and open market. Read more Directive 2008/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services OJ L 52 of 27.02.2008, p. 3 bg es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu mt nl pl pt ro sk sl fi sv EEvveennttss Workshop: State Aid Procedures and Enforcement The workshop aims to meet the needs of middle managers and senior officials from all levels of government and local authorities, officials from public enterprises, representatives of business and trade associations and lawyers and economists involved in state aid procedures. The seminar aims to give participants a comprehensive understanding of EC state aid procedures, as well as to familiarise them with respective national policies. Maastricht, 10-11 April 2008 (Introductory Workshop on 09 April 2008) For further information, click here SSttuuddiieess aanndd rreeppoorrttss EU jobs outlook upbeat, but progress uneven Employment growth has been impressive during the last year according to the Joint Employment Report, to be adopted by Employment Ministers on 29 February. Almost 6.5 million new jobs were created during the last two years and another 5 million jobs are forecast by 2009. Unemployment in the EU is expected to fall to under 7% in 2008, the lowest level since the mid-1980s. The Report – which assesses Member States’ implementation of their national reform programmes in the area of

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employment – is strongly upbeat. However, it also points to a number of ongoing areas for concern, notably youth unemployment and under-investment in education and training. Read more For further information, click here Draft Joint Employment Report 2007/2008 MMiisscceellllaanneeaa Decision to impose € 899 million penalty on Microsoft for non-compliance Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy Introductory remarks at press conference Brussels, 27th February 2008 To read the full speech, click here Press release New European Commission proposals for fast track administrative burden reductions Simplifying the statistical reporting duties of Small- and Medium- Sized Enterprises (SMEs), reducing paperwork for micro enterprises or facilitating the market introduction of new radio and telecommunication equipment. These are some examples of new possible Fast Track Actions (FTA) to reduce quickly administrative burdens. . These possible actions will be presented by the Commission to the European Council in March 2008. The ambitious Action Programme in the EU to cut administrative burdens by 25% in 2012 was presented by the Commission in January 2007 including ten Fast Track Actions to produce concrete results in the short term. Five of them have already been adopted and the rest are awaiting adoption in the coming months. 500 million EUR is the estimated savings for companies achieved under the first five proposals adopted in 2007. Read more Reorienting Cohesion policy to investments for jobs and growth in our regions Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy Statement at the EP Plenary Session Strasbourg, 21 February 2008 To read the full speech, click here European Commission puts focus on competitiveness of metals industries Metal industries in Europe are competitive and rely on innovation and high productivity to maintain their position, but are confronted with a situation in which they are losing their share due to higher constraints, compared to other parts of the world. Keeping a competitive metals industry in Europe is the key objective of a European Commission communication adopted today. It highlights important issues influencing the competitiveness of this sector, such as climate change and other environmental challenges, energy, access to raw materials, research and innovation and trade. Since metals industries are energy intensive industries, special attention is given to the actions provided for in the recent climate change package adopted on 23 January 2008, aiming at avoiding future production taking place in countries with less strict emission limits, as this would have negative environmental and economic consequences. This communication forms a part of the Commission's integrated industrial policy, which consists of horizontal and sectoral measures. Read more

Next publication date: Friday 07.03.2008 Previous issues Subscription:

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If you wish to subscribe to “State Aid Weekly e-News” and receive it every Friday in your Inbox for free, please click here. To unsubscribe, please, use the same link. Please, note that the information requested under “Change personal details” is not compulsory. In order to complete the subscription it is sufficient to fill in the data requested under “Add subscription”. About e-News: This e-News is issued every week to present the latest developments in the area of State aid. It features information on new legislative texts and proposals, decisions of the European Commission and the Courts of the European Union and other state aid–related documents and events. A great deal of additional information on State aid matters is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html Other documents related to the cases, can be found under the link to the State aid Register: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/register/ Publisher: European Commission DG Competition Unit H-3 – State aid Network and Transparency Chief Editor: Wolfgang Mederer Editing team: Piotr Papieski, Helga van den Steen, Valerie Boddin, Diana Vaccaro, Margherita Brisacani, Anthony Bisch mailto: comp-state-aid-enews@ec.europa.eu Disclaimer: Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the completeness, accuracy of the information and the use which might be made of the information provided in this document. © European Commission 2008. Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged, save where otherwise stated. Where prior permission must be obtained for the reproduction or use of textual and multimedia information, such permission shall cancel the above-mentioned general permission and shall clearly indicate any restrictions on use.