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SSttaattee AAiidd WWeeeekkllyy ee--NNeewwss Nr. 35/06, 20.10.2006 13.10.2006 - 19.10.2006 HHiigghhlliigghhttss Commission to propose to the Council simplification of exemption procedures for certain types of state aid The Commission has invited interested parties to comment on its draft proposal to the Council that greater use be made of the scope provided for in Article 89 of the EC Treaty to exempt certain categories of state aid from the prior notification requirement, so as to include culture, heritage conservation and damage caused by natural disasters. Similar and more targeted arrangements will be proposed for the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products and for aid having a social character in the transport sector. The proposals should make it possible to eliminate some notifications and speed up decision making. The proposals are in line with the State Aid Action Plan, the Commission's Lisbon strategy and its goal of better regulation. Interested parties are invited to submit their comments to the Commission by the deadline of 9 November 2006. Read more DG Competition Public consultations Commission requests Court of Justice to oblige Greece to comply with 2002 Commission decision on illegal subsidies granted before 2002 to Olympic The Commission has adopted a decision requesting the European Court of Justice to impose a lump sum penalty and a periodic penalty on Greece for its failure to implement its 2002 decision in relation to the recovery of a State aid estimated at least €160 million granted by Greece to Olympic Airways between 1998 and 2002. The failure of Greece to comply with this decision had already been confirmed by the judgement of the Court of 12 May 2005 Read more The new look of Europa Competition website is now available Visit the site

II.. DDrraafftt lleeggiissllaattiioonn aanndd ppuubblliicc ccoonnssuullttaattiioonnss Second draft of Commission Regulation on prolongation of the block exemption regulation on State aid for employment, SME and training . This proposal will be discussed with Member States experts in an Advisory Committee scheduled in November 2006. To read the full text, click here cs da de el en es et fi fr hu it lv lt nl pl pt sk sl sv Commission staff paper - 5 October 2006. Draft proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the Treaty establishing the European Community to certain categories of horizontal state aid. To read the full text, click here cs da de et el en es fr it lt lv hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv For further information, click here Deadline for comments: 9 November 2006

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Interested parties may submit their comments to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition State aid Registry B-1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 E-mail: stateaidgreffe@ec.europa.eu The Commission has adopted on 20/9/2006, a revised proposal reviewing de minimis Regulation No 69/2001. This proposal will be discussed with Member States in an Advisory Committee scheduled in November. To read the full text, click here cs da de et el en es fr it lt lv hu mt nl pl pt sk sl fi sv For further information, click here Deadline for comments: 20 October 2006 Interested parties may submit their comments to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Consultation (HT 368) State aid Registry B-1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 E-mail: stateaidgreffe@ec.europa.eu 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

- none - 22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppeennddiinngg OOJJ ppuubblliiccaattiioonn Click here to see the full list 33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ ffrroomm 1199..0099..22000066 ttoo 1199..1100..22000066 –– FFoorrmmaall ccoommmmeennttss ppeerriioodd rruunnnniinngg

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* 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

Greece Hellenic Shipyards

OJ C 236 of 30.09.2006, p. 40 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 30.10.2006

C 16/2004 (ex CP 71/2002, CP 133/2005, NN 29/2004 )

Restructuring aid

22.06.2006

DG Agriculture cases

Germany Animal Health Service (Bayern)

OJ C 244 of 11.10.2006, p. 15 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Deadline for comments*: 13.11.2006

C 24/2006 (ex NN 75/2000)

07.06.2006

Italy Mesures urgentes pour la prévention de l'influenza aviaire

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Press release

Deadline for comments*: 30.10.2006

C 31/2006 (ex N 621/2005)

04.07.2006

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 Molise - Programme pluriannuel N 176/2006 Regional development aid

17.10.2006

Slovakia Continental Automotive Systems Slovakia N 318/2006 19.10.2006

Spain Reindustrialización en zonas afectadas por deslocalización industrial en la Rioja.

N 297/2006 Regional development aid

19.10.2006

United Kingdom

Historic Environment Regeneration Scheme

N 356/2006 Heritage conservation aid

19.10.2006

4

DG Agriculture cases

Czech Republic

Compensation for losses caused by floods in the spring 2006

N 489/2006 Natural disasters or exceptional occurrences

16.10.2006

Czech Republic

The research program in the agricultural sector 2007-2012

N 19/2006 16.10.2006

France Régime d'aides de la région Rhône-Alpes à la modernisation des bâtiments d'élevage

N 69/2006 Regional development aid

16.10.2006

Italy Interventions dans les zones agricoles touchées par des calamités naturelles (fortes pluies des 4 et 5 mars 2005, dans la province de Salerne (Campania)

N 80/2006 17.10.2006

Spain Aides au renouvellement du parc régional de tracteurs (Madrid)

N 547/2006 16.10.2006

United Kingdom

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Landscape Protection and Enhancement Aid (England)

N 454/2006 16.10.2006

United Kingdom

Nitrate Sensitive Scheme 1994 NN 167/2003 17.10.2006

United Kingdom

Welsh Agri-Food Strategy: Investments and production and marketing of quality products scheme

N 603/2006 16.10.2006

United Kingdom

Welsh Agri-Food Strategy: Participation scheme

N 602/2006 16.10.2006

DG Fisheries cases

Spain Notificación subvenciones proyectos colectivos gestión recursos marinos - Galicia

N 188/2006 16.10.2006

11..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

- none - 22.. PPuubblliicc vveerrssiioonnss ooff ddeecciissiioonnss mmaaddee aavvaaiillaabbllee * The working language versions (English or French) of the decisions linked to this section are internal Commission documents which are made available for information purposes only. For the authentic language versions of the no objections decisions, links are made to the website of the Commission’s Secretariat General.

22..11.. NNoo oobbjjeeccttiioonn ddeecciissiioonnss

Country Title Case number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

5

Estonia Estonian Regional aid map 2007-2013

et

N 466/2006 Regional development aid

13.09.2006

France EC 175 - Large R&D aid to Eurocopter

fr

N 186/2006 R&D aid 13.09.2006

Germany Prolongation of shipbuilding guarantee scheme

de

N 325/2006 Sectoral aid 25.08.2006

Greece National regional state aid map 2007-2013

el

N 408/2006 Regional development aid

31.08.2006

Hungary Hungarian regional aid map 2007-2013

hu

N 487/2006 Regional development aid

13.09.2006

Latvia Latvian Regional aid map 2007-2013

lv

N 447/2006 Regional development aid

13.09.2006

Lithuania Restructuring aid to AB Kauno ketaus liejykla

lt

N 464/2005 Restructuring aid

22.02.2006

Luxembourg Luxembourg’s aid map 2007-2013

fr

N 523/2006 Regional development aid

12. 10.2006

Malta Malta's regional aid map 2007-2013

en

N 631/2006 Regional development aid

12.10.2006

Poland Poland - Regional aid map 2007-2013

pl

N 531/2006 13.09.2006

Slovakia JAKUBISKO FILM Slovakia s.r.o.

sk

N 393/2006 Culture aid 19.07.2006

Slovakia Slovakian regional aid map 2007-2013

sk

N 469/2006 Regional development aid

13.09.2006

Slovenia Slovenian Regional aid map 2007 ż 2013

sl

N 434/2006 Regional development aid

13.09.2006

Slovenia The support of media programmes

sl

N 113/2006 Culture aid 20.03.2006

Spain Temper Phoenix Iberica, s.l.

es

N 166/2006 Regional development aid

03. 07.2006

DG Agriculture cases

6

Belgium Promotion des secteurs de la boulangerie et des légumes surgelés et en conserve (Flandre)

fr nl

N 462/2006 13/09/2006

22..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

- none - 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

Finland Investment aid to Mariehamns Bioenergi AB (biofuel plant)

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 20 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 235/2006 Environmental aid

25.08.2006

Portugal Training aid to Blaupunkt

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 20 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 254/2005 Training aid 08.02.2006

Spain Aid to technological innovation in the biotechnology sector in Madrid

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 21 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 295/2006 R&D aid 08.02.2006

United Kingdom

Climate Change Levy (CCL): Extension of eligibility criteria for climate change agreements (CCAs) - cold storage/glass manufacture

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 21 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 519/2006 Environmental aid

15.09.2006

DG Agriculture cases

Austria Investment aid for the construction of a bioethanol production facility in Pischelsdorf (Niederösterreich)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 8 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 342/2006 31.08.2006

7

France Aide destinée à encourager la production d'asperges vertes certifiées (Cher-et-Loire)

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 6 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 534/2005 Adverse weather conditions

26.07.2006

Germany Acorn-fed pigs

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 46 / 2006 14.08.2006

Germany Dual-purpose Hybrides

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 302/2005 Investment in processing and marketing aid

24.07.2006

Greece Programme d'aides pour la compensation de pertes dues à des incendies

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 7 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 138/2006 11.08.2006

Ireland Investment Aid for the Marketing and Processing of Agricultural Products

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 11 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 438/2006 11.08.2006

Italy Route du vin, l'huile d'olive et des produits agroalimentaires (Toscana)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

NN 43/2006 and N 331/2006

04.08.2006

Italy Programme of Protection of Local Endangered Breeds (Toscana)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 375/2006 04.08.2006

Italy Valorisation du patrimoine des races et variétés locales d'intérêt agricole, zootechnique et forestière (Toscana)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 8 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 229/2006 11.08.2006

Italy Drought from 1 January to 30 June 2005 in 6 municipalities , province of Bari (Puglia)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 6 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 83/2006 11.08.2006

Italy AR Industrie Alimentare Spa - Istituto Sviluppo Agroalimentare Spa

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 4 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 6/2006 Investment in processing and marketing aid

28.06.2006

8

Italy Agri-environmental measure "Farmers for Nature"

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 7 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 215a/2006 31.08.2006

Italy Aides aux entreprises agricoles en difficultés (aides à la restructuration) (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia)

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 8 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 386/2005 26.07.2006

Italy Interventions dans les zones agricoles endommagées (Emilia-Romagna)

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 6 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 511/2004 Adverse weather conditions

28.06.2006

Italy Aid for growing Bergamote (Calabria)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 9 expand

N 388a/2003 31.07.2006

Italy Aides à l'installation de jeunes agriculteurs (Calabria)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 13 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 558/2003 02.08.2006

Latvia Support to stabilisation of sustainable forest functions in private forests

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 274/2006 24.07.2006

Lithuania Support for procurement of breeding animal

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 10 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 405/2006 Investment in agricultural holdings

04.08.2006

Netherlands Subsidy arrangement demolition of agricultural buildings in the province of Overijssel

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 7 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 195/2006 14.08.2006

Netherlands Agri-environmental measure "Farmers for Nature"

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 7 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 58/2005 26.07.2006

Portugal Compensation des dégâts causés par la sécheresse - Ligne de crédit à taux bonifié pour certains fruits et légumes

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 4 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 59/2006 24.07.2006

9

Spain Aides destinées à la culture, au stockage et à la commercialisation de la pomme de terre destinée à la consommation (País Vasco)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 12 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 470/2006 14.08.2006

Spain Aid for actions of promotion intended to promote the knowledge and consumption of food products

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 257/2005 12.07.2006

United Kingdom

Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 11 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 446/2006 11.08.2006

United Kingdom

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Technical Support (England)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 10 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 425/2006 26.07.2006

United Kingdom

Access to information and Communication Technology (ICT) within the agriculture sector

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 363/2006 12.07.2006

United Kingdom

Welsh Flock Improvement - Artificial Insemination and Semen Banking for Scrapie Resistance - Amendment to Scheme

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 346/2006 12.07.2006

33..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

- none – VV.. OOtthheerr ttyyppeess ooff ddeecciissiioonnss

- none –

VVII.. BBlloocckk eexxeemmppttiioonnss IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn sshheeeettss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ

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* 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

Denmark Strategic Programme for Nanoscience and Nanotechnologie, Strategic programme for IT Research and Strategic Programme on the Interdisciplinary Application of Nanotechnology, Biotech

OJ C 246 of 13.10.2006, p. 16 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 17/2006 SME aid

France Aides à l'investissement immobilier et à la location d'immeubles accordées aux entreprises par les collectivités territoriales et leurs groupements

OJ C 246 of 13.10.2006, p. 18 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 122 /2005 SME aid

Germany Conseil aux PME (Berlin)

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 15 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 13/2006 SME aid

Germany Richtlinie zur Förderung wirtschaftsnaher Forschungseinrichtungen

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 10 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 7/2006 SME aid

Hungary EQUAL Közösségi Kezdeményezés

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 18 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XE 19/2006 Employment aid

Hungary Réserve fin.- aide PME à Paks

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 42/2006 SME aid

Hungary Aid to purchase instruments necessary for the setting up or modernisation of Hungarian terrestrially distributed local or regional radio broadcasters' broadcasts

OJ C 246 of 13.10.2006, p. 16 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 27/2006 SME aid

Hungary Aid for establishing the technical background to ensure the operation of non-profit broadcasters and public broadcasters

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 16 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 26/2006 SME aid

Ireland IntertradeIreland Acumen consultancy programme

OJ C 246 of 13.10.2006, p. 19 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 147/2003 SME aid

11

Italy Aides reprise de la production suite à calamités naturelles (commerce)-Molise

OJ C 253 of 19.10.2006, p. 2 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 9/2006 SME aid

Italy Aides reprise de la production suite à calamités naturelles (artisanat)-Molise

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 11 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 8/2006 SME aid

Italy Formazione continua e formazione finalizzata all’occupazione

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 73/2004 Training aid

Netherlands Challenge

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 40/2006 SME aid

Poland Parków technologicznych oraz specjalnych stref ekonomicznych usytuowanych w obrębie Wrocławia

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 14 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 75/2006 SME aid

Poland Aid scheme under the block exemption Regulation for job creation by SMEs associated with new investments in Wrocław

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 19 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 74/2006 SME aid

Poland Horizontal aid scheme for the development of SMEs in Legnica

OJ C 253 of 19.10.2006, p. 4 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 73/2006 SME aid

Slovakia Régime d'aides dans le secteur R&D

OJ C 246 of 13.10.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 104 /2006 SME aid

Slovakia URANPRES, spol. s r.o.

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 16 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 89/2006 SME aid

Spain Ayudas a la contratación de personal en empresas agrarias y agroalimentarias en Galicia

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 19 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XE 21/2006 Employment aid

Spain Ayudas pymes sector industrial, comercio mayorista y de servicios en La Rioja

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 18 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 59/2006 SME aid

12

Spain Inversiones empresariales realizadas por pymes en La Rioja

OJ C 253 of 19.10.2006, p. 3 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 58/2006 SME aid

Spain Subvenciones a empresas de transporte y de actividades auxiliares y complementarias del mismo para la realización de inversiones que conduzcan a la contratación de mujeres 2006

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 14 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 57/2006 SME aid

Spain Investissements pour les infrastructures touristiques période 2004-2007

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 14 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 10/2006 SME aid

United Kingdom Flamstead Investments LLP

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 14 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 50/2006 SME aid

United Kingdom Carmarthenshire County Council - Llanelli Urban Conversion Grants

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 13 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 47 /2006 SME aid

United Kingdom TWI Limited

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 12 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 23/2006 SME aid

United Kingdom Country Lanes Ltd

OJ C 248 of 14.10.2006, p. 11 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 21/2006 SME aid

United Kingdom Support for SMEs for consultancy and research and development

OJ C 253 of 19.10.2006, p. 3 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 18/2006 SME aid

United Kingdom Knowledge Bank for Business - Support to SMEs

OJ C 251 of 17.10.2006, p. 15 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 16/2006 SME aid

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

- none –

13

22.. CCoouurrtt ooff JJuussttiiccee Court case Title Country Type of act Date Related case

C-341/06 P OJ C 249 of 14.10.2006, p. 4 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Chronopost SA v. judgement of the CFI

France

Application

04.08.2006

C-342/06 P OJ C 249 of 14.10.2006, p. 5 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

La Poste v. judgement of the CFI

Union française de l’express (UFEX)

DHL International SA

Federal express international (France) SNC

CRIE SA v. Commission

France Application

07.08.2006

T-613/97

Decision 98/365/EC OJ L 164 of 09.06.1998, p. 37 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

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

- none – 22.. EEFFTTAA CCoouurrtt

- none – 33.. OOtthheerr EEEEAA ppooiinnttss ooff iinntteerreesstt New legislation Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 91/2006 of 7 July 2006 amending Annex XV (State aid) to the EEA Agreement OJ L 289 of 19.10.2006, p. 31 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

IIXX.. AAddddiittiioonnaall ppooiinnttss ooff iinntteerreesstt

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Note from the Danish Delegation to the Council of the European Union on Community guidelines on State aid To read the full text, click here Boosting productivity and creating better jobs Vladimír Špidla, Member of the European Commission responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Finnish Presidency conference in cooperation with the European Commission "Boosting productivity and creating better jobs" Espoo (Finland), 16 and 17 October 2006 To read the full speech, click here EEvveennttss Seminar: State Aid Policy and Practice in the European Community - An Integrative and Interactive Approach. The standard seminar aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the concept, procedures of state aid and conditions under which state aid may be granted. It also aims to familiarise officials with the experiences in other Member States regarding national policies and coordination of aid granted by different authorities. The advanced workshop focuses on a narrow range of issues and goes into greater depth. The lectures are given by recognised experts on those issues. Maastricht, 26-27 October 2006 For further information, click here 22nd FIDE Congress Limassol - Cyprus, 1-4 November 2006 For further information, click here Tenth Forum on European State Aid Law For the tenth consecutive year ERA will organise the State Aid Forum. This forum provides a unique platform for discussion and the exchange of views and experience between various players – both private and institutional –in this field. The aim is to examine developments since last year and to promote debate through expert input on topical subjects of public interest. Trier, 13-14 November 2006 For further information, click here Conference “The Law of EC State Aid”. The European State Aid Law Institute serves as a forum in which Commission officials, officials from the 25 European Member States and the countries that will accede to the European Union, private practitioners, and university academics are able to meet, exchange ideas and/or argue in favour of the positions they represent in the area of European State aid law. London, 17 November 2006 For further information, click here 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 workshop will provide a forum for comparing national experiences as regards administrative arrangements for notifying and registering aid and the enforcement of recovery decisions. There will also be a working group exercise on the assessment of cases that combine state aid with structural funds. Maastricht, 23-24 November 2006 For further information, click here

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SSttuuddiieess aanndd rreeppoorrttss September 2006: Euro area annual inflation down to 1.7% Euro area annual inflation was 1.7% in September 2006 down from 2.3% in August. A year earlier the rate was 2.6%. Monthly inflation was 0.0% in September 2006. EU25 annual inflation was 1.9% in September 2006, down from 2.3% in August. A year earlier the rate was 2.5%. Monthly inflation was 0.0% in September 2006. EICP annual inflation was 1.9% in September 2006. Read more August 2006 compared to July 2006: Industrial production up by 1.8% in euro area Seasonally adjusted industrial production rose by 1.8% in the euro area in August 2006 compared to July 2006. Production declined by 0.4% in July after having remained stable in June. In the EU25 output gained 1.3% in August after a decrease of 0.2% in July and an increase of 0.1% in June. Read more August 2006: Euro area external trade deficit 5.8 bn euro The first estimate for the euro area trade balance with the rest of the world in August 2006 gave a 5.8 bn euro deficit, compared with -2.7 bn in August 2005. The July 2006 balance was +1.6 bn, compared with +7.4 bn in July 2005. In August 2006 compared with July 2006, exports, seasonally adjusted, rose by 3.2% and imports by 2.4%. Read more MMiisscceellllaanneeaa Postal services: Commission proposes full market opening by 2009 The European Commission has put forward a proposal to open EU postal markets fully to competition by 2009, in line with the agreed target date set out in the current Postal Directive. On the basis of extensive research, the Commission believes that this is the best way to maintain universal service while further improving quality and choice for EU consumers and businesses. Full market opening will mean that national operators will no longer have a monopoly on mail below a certain weight (currently a maximum of 50 grams), known as the 'reserved area'. Member States will be allowed a flexible choice of means to finance universal service provision or the possibility to share out the universal service obligation between operators. The proposal provides further clarification on how this can be achieved. The proposed new Directive is the final step in a long reform process that has already seen large areas of EU postal markets opened to competition, with very positive results. Read more For further information, click here Charlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services - speech The Commission paves the way for a 2008 launch of the European Institute of Technology The Commission today adopted a proposal to establish a European Institute of Technology (EIT). The proposed organisation of the EIT is in the form of a small central governance structure and a network of ‘Knowledge and Innovation Communities’, which will carry out the tasks of the EIT. Subject to approval by the European Parliament and the Council, the EIT could begin operations in 2008, with an estimated budget of up to € 2.4 billion for the period 2008-2013, to be financed by public and private sources. The Institute will be a flagship for excellence in innovation, research and higher education in Europe. It will be a reference model in the way it combines the worlds of academia, research and business so as to enable Europe to face the challenges of a globalising, knowledge-based world economy more effectively. Read more For further information, click here Commission takes Sweden to Court for failure to end broadcasting services monopoly The European Commission has decided to refer Sweden to the European Court of Justice for its failure to change rules giving state-owned company Boxer TV-Access AB a monopoly to provide access

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control services in Sweden’s digital terrestrial broadcasting network. According to the Directive on competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services (Commission Directive 2002/77/EC), Sweden had to abolish all monopoly rights for broadcasting transmission services by July 2003. However, Sweden has so far failed to abolish Boxer TV-Access AB’s monopoly. The referral to the Court is the final stage of the infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. Read more Commission requests Greece to adopt new framework for broadcasting services The European Commission has formally requested Greece to take the appropriate national measures regarding broadcasting services in order to comply with a Court of Justice ruling of 14th April 2005. The Court ruling confirmed that Greece had failed to transpose within the deadline the electronic communications liberalisation Directive 2002/77/EC. The Commission has asked Greece to reply before the end of December to its request, which takes the form of a ‘reasoned opinion’ under EC Treaty infringement procedures for failure to respect a Court ruling (Article 228). If Greece does not inform the Commission that it has complied with the Court ruling, the Commission may refer Greece to the Court for a second time and request the Court to impose fines on Greece (periodic penalty payments, lump sums or both). Read more

Next publication date: 27.10.2006 Previous issues Subscription: 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/comm/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/comm/competition/state_aid/register/ Publisher: European Commission DG Competition Unit I-3 – State aid Network and Transparency Chief Editor: Wolfgang Mederer Editing team: Piotr Papieski, Sylwia Jaromin, Helga van den Steen, Pilar Huerta 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.

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© European Commission 2006. 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.