title: 1999/124/CE: Decisione della Commissione del 3 febbraio 1999 recante approvazione delle condizioni di impiego del simbolo grafico per i prodotti agricoli di qualità specifici della regione di Madera [notificata con il numero C(1999) 219] (Il testo in lingua portoghese è il solo facente fede)

eurovoc_concepts:
Madeira
agricultural product
labelling
originating product
product quality

text: L 40/46 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:133) europee 13. 2. 1999 (Atti per i quali la pubblicazione non (cid:138) una condizione di applicabilit(cid:133)) II COMMISSIONE DECISIONE DELLA COMMISSIONE del 3 febbraio 1999 recante approvazione delle condizioni di impiego del simbolo grafico per i prodotti agricoli di qualit(cid:133) specifici della regione di Madera [notificata con il numero C(1999) 219] (Il testo in lingua portoghese (cid:138) il solo facente fede) (1999/124/CE) LA COMMISSIONE DELLE COMUNIT(cid:211) EUROPEE, visto il trattato che istituisce la Comunit(cid:133) europea, visto il regolamento (CEE) n. 1600/92 del Consiglio, del 15 giugno 1992, relativo a misure specifiche in favore delle Azzorre e di Madera per taluni prodotti agricoli (1), modificato da ultimo dal regolamento (CE) n. 2348/96 del Consiglio (2), in particolare l’articolo 31, paragrafo 3, visto il regolamento (CE) n. 1418/96 della Commissione, del 22 luglio 1996, che istituisce le modalit(cid:133) relative all’impiego di un simbolo grafico per i prodotti agricoli di qualit(cid:133), tipici delle regioni ultraperiferiche (3); considerando che in applicazione dell’articolo 31, para- grafo 2, del regolamento (CEE) n. 1600/92 (cid:138) stato realiz- zato un simbolo grafico allo scopo di favorire la cono- scenza e il consumo, allo stato fresco o trasformato, dei prodotti agricoli di qualit(cid:133) tipici delle Azzorre e di Madera; che la Commissione ha pubblicato tale simbolo grafico, nonch(cid:130) le relative regole di riproduzione, nel regolamento (CE) n. 2054/96 (4); considerando che, secondo l’articolo 31, paragrafo 3, del regolamento (CEE) n. 1600/92, le condizioni di impiego del simbolo grafico per i prodotti agricoli di qualit(cid:133) tipici (1) GU L 173 del 27. 6. 1992, pag. 1. (2) GU L 320 dell’11. 12. 1996, pag. 1. (3) GU L 182 del 23. 7. 1996, pag. 9. (4) GU L 280 del 31. 10. 1996, pag. 1. delle regioni delle Azzorre e di Madera sono proposte dalle organizzazioni professionali, trasmesse dalle autorit(cid:133) nazionali e approvate dalla Commissione; che le autorit(cid:133) portoghesi hanno trasmesso, con il proprio parere favore- impiego nonch(cid:130) le modalit(cid:133) vole, amministrative di applicazione sulla base delle quali le autorit(cid:133) competenti di Madera intendono concedere il diritto di impiegare il simbolo grafico; tali condizioni di considerando che tali condizioni di impiego si prestano a realizzare gli obiettivi perseguiti dall’istituzione del simbolo grafico; che pertanto (cid:138) opportuno approvare queste stesse condizioni di impiego, HA ADOTTATO LA PRESENTE DECISIONE: Articolo 1 impiego del simbolo Sono approvate le condizioni di grafico per i prodotti agricoli di qualit(cid:133) tipici della regione di Madera, presentate dalle autorit(cid:133) portoghesi e riprodotte in allegato. Articolo 2 La Repubblica portoghese (cid:138) destinataria della presente decisione. 13. 2. 1999 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:133) europee L 40/47 La presente decisione (cid:138) pubblicata nella Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:133) europee. Articolo 3 Fatto a Bruxelles, il 3 febbraio 1999. Per la Commissione Franz FISCHLER Membro della Commissione L 40/48 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:133) europee 13. 2. 1999 ALLEGATO Estratto del progetto di decreto della regione autonoma di Madera contenente le condizioni di impiego e le modalit(cid:133) amministrative d’applicazione del simbolo grafico per i prodotti agricoli tipici della regione di Madera. Regione Autonoma di Madera Governo regionale Segretariato regionale dell’Agricoltura, delle Foreste e della Pesca PROGETTO DI DECRETO (Estratto) TITOLO I (Condizioni di utilizzazione) Articolo 1 1. Il simbolo grafico creato in applicazione dell’articolo 31 del regolamento (CEE) n. 1600/92 del Consiglio pu(cid:149) essere utilizzato esclusivamente per i prodotti agricoli o della pesca, anche trasformati, tipici della Regione autonoma di Madera in quanto regione ultraperiferica. I prodotti agricoli o della pesca non trasformati devono essere stati ottenuti nella Regione autonoma di 2. Madera. Per i prodotti trasformati tipici della Regione autonoma di Madera la cui principale caratteristica (cid:138) la materia prima utilizzata, quest’ultima deve essere ottenuta localmente in misura pari almeno al 90 % del suo volume. Per i prodotti trasformati la cui principale caratteristica (cid:138) il metodo di produzione o di fabbricazione, viene presa in considerazione la specificit(cid:133) di tale metodo. I prodotti in causa devono presentare caratteristiche proprie in quanto prodotti della Regione autonoma 3. di Madera; tali caratteristiche possono includere le condizioni, i metodi e le tecniche di produzione o di fabbricazione, nonch(cid:130) il rispetto delle norme di presentazione e condizionamento. 4. Il simbolo grafico pu(cid:149) essere utilizzato esclusivamente per i prodotti di qualit(cid:133) superiore. La qualit(cid:133) (cid:138) definita con riferimento a disposizioni della normativa comunitaria o, in mancanza di queste, con riferimento alle norme internazionali. In mancanza di norme comunitarie o internazionali, le norme pertinenti sono definite dal Segretario regionale dell’Agricultura, delle Foreste e della Pesca sulla base di proposte delle organizzazioni professionali


title: Proposta de Regulamento (CE) do Conselho relativo às medidas destinadas a promover a conservação e a gestão sustentável das florestas tropicais e de outras florestas nos países em desenvolvimento

eurovoc_concepts:
developing countries
forest
forest conservation
sustainable development
tropical forest

formats: html pdf print

text: 29. 3. 1999 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias C 87/97 Proposta de regulamento (CE) do Conselho relativo a` s medidas destinadas a promover a conservac¸a˜ o e a gesta˜ o sustenta´ vel das florestas tropicais e de outras florestas nos pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento (1999/C 87/03) COM(1999) 41 final — 99/0015 (SYN) (Apresentada pela Comissa˜ o em 3 de Fevereiro de 1999) O CONSELHO DA UNIA˜ O EUROPEIA, Tendo em conta o Tratado que institui a Comunidade Europeia e, nomeadamente, os seus artigos 130. (cid:30)S e 130. (cid:30)W, Tendo em conta a proposta da Comissa˜ o, Tendo em conta o parecer do Comite´ Econ(cid:243)mico e Social, Deliberando em conformidade com o procedimento previsto no artigo 189. (cid:30)C do Tratado, (1) Considerando que as florestas teˆm diversas fun- c¸o˜ es e utilidades para a humanidade e podem contribuir para atingir os objectivos da Comuni- dade em mate´ria de desenvolvimento e de ambiente, tais como a reduc¸a˜ o da pobreza, o desenvolvimento econ(cid:243)mico e social sustenta´ vel e a protecc¸a˜ o do ambiente; (2) Considerando que, em numerosas resoluc¸o˜ es, o Parlamento Europeu expressou a sua preocupa- c¸a˜ o quanto a` destruic¸a˜ o de florestas e a` s conse- queˆncias para as suas populac¸o˜ es; (3) Considerando que, em resposta ao pedido formu- lado pelo Parlamento Europeu na sua resoluc¸a˜ o sobre a estrate´gia florestal da Unia˜ o Europeia (1), a Comissa˜ o adoptou, em …, uma comunicac¸a˜ o intitulada […] que define uma estrate´gia para a acc¸a˜ o da Comunidade em favor da promoc¸a˜ o da conservac¸a˜ o e da gesta˜ o florestal sustenta´ vel nos pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento; (4) Considerando que os objectivos desta estrate´gia devem ser prosseguidos no contexto de uma pol(cid:237)- tica geral da Comunidade destinada a promover a conservac¸a˜ o e a utilizac¸a˜ o sustenta´ vel das flo- restas, independentemente do clima ou a´ rea geo- gra´ fica em que se encontrem situadas; (5) Considerando que a Comunidade e os seus Esta- dos-membros sa˜ o signata´ rios da Declarac¸a˜ o do Rio e do programa de acc¸a˜ o «Agenda 21» e esta˜ o empenhados na implementac¸a˜ o da Resolu- c¸a˜ o da sessa˜ o especial da Assembleia Geral das Nac¸o˜ es Unidas intitulada «Programa destinado a prosseguir a aplicac¸a˜ o da “Agenda 21”»; (6) Considerando que a Comunidade e os seus Esta- dos-membros sa˜ o membros da Organizac¸a˜ o Mundial do Come´rcio e partes em acordos multi- laterais sobre o ambiente, nomeadamente na Convenc¸a˜ o sobre a diversidade biol(cid:243)gica, na Convenc¸a˜ o-quadro sobre as alterac¸o˜ es clima´ ticas e na Convenc¸a˜ o de combate a` desertificac¸a˜ o; que se comprometeram a ter em conta as responsabi- lidades comuns, mas diferenciadas, das partes desenvolvidas e das partes em desenvolvimento nessa mate´ria; (7) Considerando que, na sua sessa˜ o especial de 1997, a Assembleia Geral das Nac¸o˜ es Unidas aprovou as propostas de acc¸a˜ o formuladas no aˆ mbito do grupo intergovernamental de peritos para o estudo das florestas (GIPEF); que a Comunidade e os seus Estados-membros esta˜ o plenamente empenhados na implementac¸a˜ o des- sas propostas; (8) Considerando que o Regulamento (CE) n. (cid:30) 3062/95 do Conselho, de 20 de Dezembro de 1995, relativo a` s acc¸o˜ es a favor das florestas tro- picais (2), define o enquadramento para a assis- teˆncia comunita´ ria neste dom(cid:237)nio; que esse regu- lamento e´ aplica´ vel ate´ 31 de Dezembro de 1999; que a experieˆncia adquirida durante a aplicac¸a˜ o do Regulamento (CE) n. (cid:30) 3062/95 se deveria reflectir no presente regulamento; (9) Considerando que, na sua Resoluc¸a˜ o de 30 de Novembro de 1998, o Conselho reconhece o papel que as populac¸o˜ es da floresta desempe- nham na gesta˜ o do ambiente, em especial no que se refere a` conservac¸a˜ o e a` utilizac¸a˜ o sustenta´ vel das florestas nos pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento; (10) Considerando que os instrumentos financeiros de que a Comunidade dispo˜ e actualmente para apoiar a conservac¸a˜ o e o desenvolvimento sus- tenta´ vel das florestas podem ser completados de forma u´ til; (1) JO C 55 de 24. 2. 1997, p. 22. (2) JO L 327 de 30. 12. 1995, p. 9. C 87/98 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 29. 3. 1999 (11) Considerando que devem ser adoptadas disposi- c¸o˜ es para financiar as acc¸o˜ es referidas no pre- sente regulamento; (12) Considerando que e´ conveniente definir as nor- mas de execuc¸a˜ o e, em especial, a forma de acc¸a˜ o, os beneficia´ rios da ajuda e os procedimen- tos de decisa˜ o, ADOPTOU O PRESENTE REGULAMENTO: 4. «Desenvolvimento sustenta´ vel», a melhoria do n(cid:237)vel de vida e do bem-estar das populac¸o˜ es em causa, dentro dos limites da capacidade dos ecos- sistemas, atrave´s da preservac¸a˜ o do patrim(cid:243)nio natural e da sua diversidade biol(cid:243)gica para benef(cid:237)- cio das gerac¸o˜ es presentes e futuras. 5. «Populac¸o˜ es da floresta», as populac¸o˜ es ind(cid:237)genas que habitam a floresta ou a consideram o seu habi- tat ou qualquer populac¸a˜ o que viva na floresta ou na sua proximidade e que dela dependa tradicio- nalmente de modo directo e importante. Artigo 1. (cid:30) Artigo 3. (cid:30) A Comunidade prestara´ ajuda financeira e assisteˆncia te´cnica a fim de promover a conservac¸a˜ o e a gesta˜ o sustenta´ vel das florestas tropicais e de outras florestas nos pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento de forma a satisfazer as exigeˆncias econ(cid:243)micas, sociais e ambientais a que esta˜ o sujeitas as florestas a n(cid:237)vel local, nacional e mun- dial. As acc¸o˜ es a realizar a t(cid:237)tulo do presente regulamento tera˜ o em vista: — melhorar o estatuto das florestas nas pol(cid:237)ticas nacionais e integrar as pol(cid:237)ticas florestais na plani- ficac¸a˜ o em mate´ria de desenvolvimento, Esta ajuda financeira e assisteˆncia te´cnica completam e reforc¸am a ajuda e a assisteˆnica prestadas a t(cid:237)tulo de outros instrumentos da cooperac¸a˜ o para o desenvolvi- mento. — promover a produc¸a˜ o e a utilizac¸a˜ o da madeira e dos produtos florestais na˜ o derivados da madeira a partir de recursos geridos de forma sustenta´ vel, Artigo 2. (cid:30) — contribuir para a avaliac¸a˜ o adequada dos recursos e dos servic¸os florestais. Para efeitos do presente regulamento, entende-se por: Artigo 4. (cid:30) 1. «Florestas tropicais e outras florestas nos pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento», os ecossistemas florestais natu- rais e seminaturais, prima´ rios ou secunda´ rios, as formac¸o˜ es florestais fechadas ou abertas, em zonas de clima seco ou hu´ mido. As zonas em causa situam-se nos pa(cid:237)ses da A´ frica, das Cara(cid:237)bas e do Pac(cid:237)fico, nos pa(cid:237)ses do Mediterraˆ neo e nos pa(cid:237)ses da Ame´rica Latina e da A´ sia. 2. «Conservac¸a˜ o», todas as acc¸o˜ es de preservac¸a˜ o e reabilitac¸a˜ o das florestas, nomeadamente as acc¸o˜ es destinadas a proteger e a reconstituir a diversidade biol(cid:243)gica e as func¸o˜ es ecol(cid:243)gicas do ecossistema florestal, preservando, na medida do poss(cid:237)vel, o seu valor actual e futuro para a humanidade e, em especial, para as populac¸o˜ es da floresta. 1. Ao prestar a ajuda financeira e a assisteˆncia te´c- nica destinadas a atingir os objectivos fixados no artigo 3. (cid:30), a Comunidade procurara´ em especial, pro- mover: a) A elaborac¸a˜ o, a n(cid:237)vel nacional e internacional, de quadros de acc¸a˜ o adequados para a pol(cid:237)tica flores- tal, com base numa avaliac¸a˜ o realista das flores- tas, incluindo o planeamento da utilizac¸a˜ o dos ter- renos, o come´rcio equitativo dos produtos flores- tais obtidos de uma forma sustenta´ vel, as medidas fiscais e jur(cid:237)dicas, o reforc¸o das instituic¸o˜ es e o apoio ao sector privado, tendo em conta outras pol(cid:237)ticas sectoriais que tenham um impacto sobre as florestas e os interesses e direitos consuetudina´ - rios das populac¸o˜ es da floresta; 3. «Gesta˜ o florestal sustenta´ vel», a gesta˜ o e a utiliza- c¸a˜ o das florestas e das zonas arborizadas de um modo e a um ritmo que mantenham a sua diversi- dade biol(cid:243)gica, a sua produtividade, a sua capaci- dade de regenerac¸a˜ o, a sua vitalidade e a sua capa- cidade de satisfazer, no presente e no futuro, as func¸o˜ es ecol(cid:243)gicas, econ(cid:243)micas e sociais pertinen- tes, a n(cid:237)vel local, nacional e mundial, sem causar preju(cid:237)zo a outros ecossistemas. b) A conservac¸a˜ o das florestas que sa˜ o reconhecidas como tendo um elevado valor ecol(cid:243)gico e a recu- perac¸a˜ o de a´ reas florestais degradadas, considera- das importantes devido ao papel que desempe- nham a n(cid:237)vel local e mundial, nomeadamente na protecc¸a˜ o de bacias hidrogra´ ficas, na prevenc¸a˜ o da erosa˜ o dos solos e das alterac¸o˜ es clima´ ticas, bem como na preservac¸a˜ o da diversidade biol(cid:243)- gica; 29. 3. 1999 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias C 87/99 c) A gesta˜ o e a utilizac¸a˜ o sustenta´ veis das florestas, nomeadamente a certificac¸a˜ o das florestas e a recolha ecol(cid:243)gica da madeira e de produtos na˜ o derivados da madeira, a regenerac¸a˜ o natural e assistida das florestas, a fim de produzir benef(cid:237)cios econ(cid:243)micos, sociais e ambientais; 4. As acc¸o˜ es empreendidas ao abrigo do presente regulamento sera˜ o precedidas por avaliac¸o˜ es do seu impacto social e ambiental, bem como por ana´ lises de viabilidade econ(cid:243)mica e financeira. Ale´m disso, as populac¸o˜ es da floresta devera˜ o ser informadas e mani- festar o seu apoio antes da execuc¸a˜ o das acc¸o˜ es. d) A viabilidade econ(cid:243)mica da gesta˜ o sustenta´ vel das florestas atrave´s de uma mais eficiente utilizac¸a˜ o dos produtos florestais e da melhoria te´cnica das actividades a jusante relacionadas com o sector florestal, como a produc¸a˜ o e a comercializac¸a˜ o, em pequena e me´dia escala, de madeira e de pro- dutos florestais na˜ o derivados da madeira, a utili- zac¸a˜ o sustenta´ vel da madeira como fonte de ener- gia e o desenvolvimento de pra´ ticas agr(cid:237)colas alter- nativas na˜ o baseadas no desbravamento das florestas; e) A produc¸a˜ o e a gesta˜ o dos conhecimentos e da informac¸a˜ o relativos aos produtos e servic¸os flo- restais, de forma a constituir uma base cient(cid:237)fica s(cid:243)lida para a realizac¸a˜ o das prioridades referidas nas al(cid:237)neas a) a d). 2. As prioridades sera˜ o fixadas em func¸a˜ o: — das necessidades de cada pa(cid:237)s, tal como fixadas nas pol(cid:237)ticas regionais e nacionais de desenvolvimento e de ambiente relativas a` s florestas, tendo em conta os planos nacionais florestais, As acc¸o˜ es empreendidas sera˜ o avaliadas por meio de indicadores qualitativos e quantitativos espec(cid:237)ficos, definidos nas condic¸o˜ es de refereˆncia. 5. As acc¸o˜ es realizadas ao abrigo do presente regu- lamento sera˜ o coordenadas com os programas e acc¸o˜ es nacionais e internacionais relativos a` conservac¸a˜ o e a` gesta˜ o sustenta´ vel das florestas, nomeadamente as pro- postas de acc¸a˜ o formuladas no contexto do processo do grupo intergovernamental de peritos para o estudo das florestas/f(cid:243)rum intergovernamental sobre florestas. 6. Sempre que adequado, as acc¸o˜ es sera˜ o realizadas no aˆ mbito de organizac¸o˜ es regionais e de programas de cooperac¸a˜ o internacionais e inserir-se-a˜ o numa pol(cid:237)- tica global de conservac¸a˜ o e gesta˜ o sustenta´ vel das flo- restas. 7. As acc¸o˜ es empreendidas ao abrigo do presente regulamento concentrar-se-a˜ o em projectos-piloto no dom(cid:237)nio em questa˜ o, programas inovadores, estudos e investigac¸a˜ o, cujos resultados permitira˜ o a` Comuni- dade Europeia desenvolver, adaptar e executar as suas pol(cid:237)ticas de cooperac¸a˜ o no sector florestal. — os objectivos da cooperac¸a˜ o comunita´ ria, tal como estabelecidos nos estudos estrate´gicos por pa(cid:237)s, ela- borados de comum acordo. Artigo 5. (cid:30) 3. Sera´ conferida uma especial atenc¸a˜ o: — a` participac¸a˜ o de empresas privadas na cadeia de produc¸a˜ o e de comercializac¸a˜ o de produtos flores- tais, no aˆ mbito de pol(cid:237)ticas concertadas relativas ao desenvolvimento do sector privado e tendo em conta os sistemas sociais existentes e as actividades econ(cid:243)micas das comunidades locais, — a` participac¸a˜ o directa de organismos pu´ blicos e privados de pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento, garantindo uma dimensa˜ o adequada das intervenc¸o˜ es e a adaptac¸a˜ o dos procedimentos administrativos aos recursos locais, — a` participac¸a˜ o das populac¸o˜ es da floresta nas acc¸o˜ es realizadas ao abrigo do presente regula- mento, — a` sustentabilidade de qualquer actividade proposta, de cara´ cter social, econ(cid:243)mico ou ambiental. Os beneficia´ rios da ajuda e os parceiros da cooperac¸a˜ o incluem na˜ o s(cid:243) os Estados e regio˜ es, mas tambe´m as organizac¸o˜ es internacionais, os servic¸os descentraliza- dos, os organismos regionais, os organismos pu´ blicos, as comunidades tradicionais e locais, as indu´ striais e os operadores privados, incluindo as cooperativas, as organizac¸o˜ es na˜ o governamentais (ONG) e as associa- c¸o˜ es representativas das populac¸o˜ es locais. Artigo 6. (cid:30) 1. O financiamento comunita´ rio pode abranger estudos, assisteˆncia te´cnica, acc¸o˜ es no dom(cid:237)nio da edu- cac¸a˜ o e da formac¸a˜ o ou outros servic¸os, fornecimentos e obras, constituic¸a˜ o de fundos para pequenas subven- c¸o˜ es, bem como avaliac¸o˜ es, auditorias e misso˜ es de avaliac¸a˜ o e acompanhamento. Pode abranger as despe- sas de assisteˆncia te´cnica e administrativa, em benef(cid:237)- cio da Comissa˜ o e do beneficia´ rio, relativas a acc¸o˜ es, que na˜ o as tarefas permanentes da administrac¸a˜ o pu´ blica, identificac¸a˜ o, preparac¸a˜ o, gesta˜ o, acompanhamento, auditoria e controlo de programas ou projectos. ligadas a` C 87/100 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 29. 3. 1999 O financiamento comunita´ rio pode abranger tanto as despesas de investimento ligadas a programas ou pro- jectos espec(cid:237)ficos, com excepc¸a˜ o da aquisic¸a˜ o de edif(cid:237)- cios, como as despesas recorrentes (incluindo as despe- sas administrativas, de manutenc¸a˜ o e de funciona- mento). No entanto, com excepc¸a˜ o dos programas de forma- c¸a˜ o, de educac¸a˜ o e de investigac¸a˜ o, tais despesas s(cid:243) podera˜ o, em geral, ser abrangidas durante a fase de arranque, devendo os montantes abrangidos diminuir de forma gradual. 2. Procurar-se-a´ obter uma contribuic¸a˜ o dos benefi- cia´ rios definidos no artigo 5. (cid:30) Essa contribuic¸a˜ o dependera´ das suas possibilidades e da natureza de cada acc¸a˜ o. 3. Podera˜ o procurar-se possibilidades de co-finan- ciamento com outros doadores, especialmente com os Estados-membros e com as organizac¸o˜ es internacionais interessadas. 4. Sera˜ o tomadas as medidas necessa´ rias por forma a realc¸ar o cara´ cter comunita´ rio da ajuda prestada a t(cid:237)tulo do presente regulamento. 5. A fim de atingir os objectivos de coereˆncia e complementaridade previstos no Tratado e de garantir a ma´ xima efica´ cia de todas as acc¸o˜ es em questa˜ o, a Comissa˜ o pode tomar todas as medidas de coordena- c¸a˜ o necessa´ rias, designadamente as seguintes: a) O estabelecimento de um sistema de intercaˆ mbio e ana´ lise sistema´ ticos das sobre as acc¸o˜ es financiadas ou suscept(cid:237)veis de financia- mento por parte da Comunidade e dos Estados- -membros; informac¸o˜ es b) Coordenac¸a˜ o no local da execuc¸a˜ o destas acc¸o˜ es, atrave´s da realizac¸a˜ o de reunio˜ es peri(cid:243)dicas e do intercaˆ mbio de informac¸o˜ es entre os representan- tes da Comissa˜ o e dos Estados-membros nos pa(cid:237)- ses beneficia´ rios. 6. A fim de obter o maior impacto poss(cid:237)vel a n(cid:237)vel mundial, nacional e local, a Comissa˜ o, em cooperac¸a˜ o com os Estados-membros, tomara´ todas as iniciativas necessa´ rias para garantir uma coordenac¸a˜ o adequada e uma estreita colaborac¸a˜ o, especialmente no que se refere ao intercaˆ mbio de informac¸o˜ es, com os pa(cid:237)ses beneficia´ rios, os doadores e as organizac¸o˜ es, os fundos e os programas internacionais em causa, em especial os que integram o sistema das Nac¸o˜ es Unidas. Artigo 7. (cid:30) O apoio financeiro ao abrigo do presente regulamento assumira´ a forma de subvenc¸o˜ es. Artigo 8. (cid:30) 1. A Comissa˜ o e´ responsa´ vel pela avaliac¸a˜ o, selec- c¸a˜ o e gesta˜ o das acc¸o˜ es abrangidas pelo presente regu- lamento, em conformidade com o procedimento orc¸a- mental e outros procedimentos em vigor, designada- mente os previstos no regulamento financeiro aplica´ vel ao orc¸amento geral das Comunidades Europeias. 2. As deciso˜ es relativas a subvenc¸o˜ es que excedam 2 milho˜ es de euros por acc¸a˜ o, a financiar ao abrigo do presente regulamento, sera˜ o adoptadas de acordo com o procedimento previsto no artigo 9. (cid:30) 3. A Comissa˜ o pode aprovar, sem solicitar o parecer do comite´ referido no artigo 9. (cid:30), qualquer autorizac¸a˜ o suplementar necessa´ ria para cobrir eventuais custos adicionais, previstos ou efectivamente incorridos, rela- cionados com as acc¸o˜ es em causa, desde que o exce- dente ou o montante adicional necessa´ rio seja inferior ou igual a 20 % da autorizac¸a˜ o inicialmente fixada na decisa˜ o de financiamento. 4. Todos os acordos ou contratos de financiamento celebrados ao abrigo do presente regulamento devem prever a realizac¸a˜ o de verificac¸o˜ es no local pela Comissa˜ o e pelo Tribunal de Contas, em conformidade com os procedimentos habituais previstos pela Comis- sa˜ o ao abrigo das regras em vigor, em especial os pre- vistos no regulamento financeiro aplica´ vel ao orc¸a- mento geral das Comunidades Europeias. 5. Sempre que as acc¸o˜ es sejam objecto de acordos de financiamento entre a Comunidade e o pa(cid:237)s benefi- cia´ rio, tais acordos devem prever que o pagamento de impostos, direitos ou outros encargos na˜ o sera´ supor- tado pela Comunidade. A participac¸a˜ o em concursos e a adjudicac¸a˜ o de 6. contratos estara´ aberta, em igualdade de condic¸o˜ es, a todas as pessoas singulares e colectivas dos Estados- -membros e do pa(cid:237)s beneficia´ rio. Tal participac¸a˜ o pode ser alargada a outros pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento e, em casos excepcionais devidamente justificados, a outros pa(cid:237)ses terceiros. 7. Os fornecimentos sera˜ o origina´ rios dos Estados- -membros, do pa(cid:237)s beneficia´ rio ou de outros pa(cid:237)ses em desenvolvimento. Em casos excepcionais, em que as circunstaˆ ncias o justifiquem, os fornecimentos podera˜ o ser origina´ rios de outros pa(cid:237)ses. 29. 3. 1999 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias C 87/101 8. Sera´ conferida especial atenc¸a˜ o: — a` procura de rentabilidade e de um impacto susten- ta´ vel no que se refere a` concepc¸a˜ o do projecto, — a uma definic¸a˜ o precisa dos objectivos e dos indi- cadores de resultados de todos os projectos, bem como ao respectivo acompanhamento. Artigo 9. (cid:30) A Comissa˜ o sera´ assistida pelo comite´ geogra´ fico 1. competente em mate´ria de desenvolvimento. 2. O representante da Comissa˜ o apresentara´ ao comite´ um projecto das medidas a adoptar. O comite´ emitira´ o seu parecer sobre o projecto num prazo que o presidente pode fixar em func¸a˜ o da urgeˆncia da questa˜ o, se necessa´ rio procedendo a uma votac¸a˜ o. O parecer sera´ exarado na acta. Ale´m disso, cada Estado-membro tem o direito de solicitar que a sua posic¸a˜ o conste de acta. A Comissa˜ o tomara´ na ma´ xima considerac¸a˜ o o pare- cer emitido pelo comite´. A Comissa˜ o comunicara´ ao comite´ a forma como o seu parecer foi tido em consi- derac¸a˜ o. Artigo 10. (cid:30) Anualmente, proceder-se-a´ a uma troca de pontos de vista, com base numa apresentac¸a˜ o das orientac¸o˜ es gerais que devera˜ o presidir a` s acc¸o˜ es a realizar no ano seguinte, efectuada pelo representante da Comissa˜ o, no aˆ mbito de uma reunia˜ o conjunta dos comite´s referi- dos no artigo 9. (cid:30) Artigo 11. (cid:30) 1. No final de cada exerc(cid:237)cio, a Comissa˜ o apresen- tara´ ao Parlamento Europeu e ao Conselho um relat(cid:243)- rio anual que contera´ um resumo das acc¸o˜ es financia- das durante aquele ano, bem como uma avaliac¸a˜ o da aplicac¸a˜ o do presente regulamento durante o mesmo per(cid:237)odo. O resumo incluira´ designadamente informac¸o˜ es sobre a natureza e o nu´ mero de projectos financiados, bem como sobre as entidades com as quais foram celebra- dos contratos. O relat(cid:243)rio tambe´m precisara´ , se for caso disso, o nu´ mero de avaliac¸o˜ es externas efectuadas relativamente a actividades espec(cid:237)ficas. 2. A Comissa˜ o procedera´ regularmente a` avaliac¸a˜ o das acc¸o˜ es financiadas pela Comunidade com vista a determinar se foram ou na˜ o alcanc¸ados os objectivos das referidas acc¸o˜ es e a definir orientac¸o˜ es destinadas a melhorar a efica´ cia das acc¸o˜ es futuras. A Comissa˜ o apresentara´ ao comite´ referido no artigo 9. (cid:30) um resumo das avaliac¸o˜ es efectuadas que podera˜ o, se for caso disso, ser analisadas pelo comite´. Os relat(cid:243)rios de avaliac¸a˜ o sera˜ o facultados aos Estados-membros que o solicitem. 3. A Comissa˜ o comunicara´ aos Estados-membros, o mais tardar, um meˆs ap(cid:243)s a sua decisa˜ o, as acc¸o˜ es e projectos aprovados, especificando o respectivo custo e natureza, bem como o pa(cid:237)s beneficia´ rio e os parcei- ros. 4. O guia financeiro que especifica as orientac¸o˜ es e os crite´rios aplica´ veis a` selecc¸a˜ o dos projectos sera´ publicado e comunicado a` s partes interessadas pelos servic¸os da Comissa˜ o, incluindo as delegac¸o˜ es da Comissa˜ o nos pa(cid:237)ses beneficia´ rios. Artigo 12. (cid:30) 1. O presente regulamento entra em vigor no terceiro dia seguinte ao da sua publicac¸a˜ o no Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias. 2. Quatro anos ap(cid:243)s a entrada em vigor do presente regulamento, a Comissa˜ o apresentara´ ao Parlamento Europeu e ao Conselho uma avaliac¸a˜ o global das acc¸o˜ es financiadas pela Comunidade ao abrigo do pre- sente regulamento, bem como sugesto˜ es relativas ao futuro do presente regulamento. O presente regulamento e´ obrigat(cid:243)rio em todos os seus elementos e directamente aplica´ vel em todos os Estados-membros


title: SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL nr. 222/99 af Elly PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL Problemer for nederlandske byggevirksomheder i Tyskland

eurovoc_concepts:
EU law - national law
Germany
Netherlands
building industry
infringement of EU law
infringement procedure (EU)
provision of services
services company

text: 12. 11. 1999 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende C 325/91 (1999/C 325/119) SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL P-0222/99 af Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) til Kommissionen Om: Problemer for nederlandske byggevirksomheder i Tyskland (3. februar 1999) Den 3. juli 1998 modtog jeg svar fra Monti på forespørgsel P-1529/98 (1) om problemer for nederlandske byggevirksomheder i forbindelse med aktiviteter i Tyskland. Af svaret fremgik det, at Kommissionen undersøger, om der er en mulighed for at indlede en overtrædelsesprocedure mod Tyskland. Det fremgår af nærmere oplysninger, at proceduren i mellemtiden er indledt. 1. 2. Kan Kommissionen oplyse, hvor langt man er nået i proceduren? Er der allerede opnået resultater? (1) EFT C 50 af 22. 2. 1999, s. 45. Svar afgivet på Kommissionens vegne af Mario Monti (11. marts 1999) 1. Kommissionen har i november 1998 sendt en åbningsskrivelse til den tyske regering for at give den lejlighed til at fremsætte sine bemærkninger vedrørende forskellige aspekter af den tyske lovgivning om udstationering af arbejdstagere i forbindelse med levering af tjenesteydelser i byggesektoren. 2. Den tyske regering har meddelt, at den vil svare ved udgangen af februar 1999. Kommissionen er derfor endnu ikke i stand til at oplyse, om og i hvilket omfang den tyske regering er indstillet på at ændre sin nuværende holdning. Kommissionen gør det ærede medlem opmærksom på, at EF-Domstolen allerede har fået forelagt forskellige problemer i forbindelse med de tyske bestemmelser, bl. a. med hensyn til den feriekasseordning, der blev indført i Tyskland i 1998 (1). (1) Sag C-49/98 »Finalarte «. (1999/C 325/120) SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL P-0225/99 af James Janssen van Raay (UPE) til Kommissionen Om: Vejbenyttelsesafgifter i Nederlandene (3. februar 1999) Er Kommissionen rede til efter Nederlandenes gentagne og omfattende overtrædelser af EU-regelværket (Securitel!) at undersøge, om den fatale plan om at indføre vejbenyttelsesafgifter ikke er i strid med EU- bestemmelserne bl. a. i lyset af den skarpe protest fra Nederlandene mod tyske og belgiske betalingsmotorveje, som kun bør kunne indføres på europæisk plan? Indebærer de foretagne kontrolforanstaltninger ikke, at man handler i strid med den EU-sikrede beskyttelse af privatlivets fred? Svar afgivet på Kommissionens vegne af Neil Kinnock (9. marts 1999) Den hollandske regering rådførte sig med Kommissionen i begyndelsen af 1998 om en eventuel indførelse af en vejbenyttelsesafgift i myldretiden i Randstad området. Denne forhandling fandt sted i overensstemmelse med Rådets beslutning 308/62/EØF af 21. marts 1962, som ændret ved Rådets beslutning 73/402/EØF af 22. november 1973 om indførelse af en fremgangsmåde til forudgående undersøgelse og forhandling om visse administrativt eller ved lov fastsatte bestemmelser, som medlemslandene påtænker at udstede på trans- portområdet (1). Den 28. maj 1998 afgav Kommissionen udtalelse om, at det forelagte lovudkast er foreneligt med EF-lovgivning


title: Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 258/1999 af 3. februar 1999 om ophævelse af forordning (EF) nr. 913/97 om undtagelsesforanstaltninger til støtte for markedet for svinekød i Spanien

eurovoc_concepts:
Spain
market support
meat processing industry
pigmeat
slaughter premium
swine

text: L 30/20 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende 4. 2. 1999 KOMMISSIONENS FORORDNING (EF) Nr. 258/1999 af 3. februar 1999 om ophævelse af forordning (EF) nr. 913/97 om undtagelsesforanstaltninger til støtte for markedet for svinekød i Spanien KOMMISSIONEN FOR DE EUROPÆISKE FÆLLESSKABER HAR (cid:190) under henvisning til Europæiske Fællesskab, traktaten om oprettelse af Det under henvisning til R(cid:134)dets forordning (EØF) nr. 2759/75 af 29. oktober 1975 om den fælles markedsordning for svinekød (1), senest ændret ved forordning (EF) nr. 3290/ 94 (2), særlig artikel 20, og ud fra følgende betragtninger: P(cid:134) grund af udbrud af klassisk svinepest i visse produkti- onsomr(cid:134)der i Spanien traf de spanske myndigheder dyre- sundhedsmæssige foranstaltninger i henhold til artikel 9 i R(cid:134)dets direktiv 80/217/EØF af 22. januar 1980 om fælles- skabsforanstaltninger til kontrol med klassisk svinepest (3), senest ændret ved beslutning 93/384/EØF (4), og der blev fastsat undtagelsesforanstaltninger til støtte for markedet for svinekød i nævnte medlemsstat ved Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 913/97 (5), senest ændret ved forord- ning (EF) nr. 2691/98 (6); som følge af de fremskridt, der er opn(cid:134)et med hensyn til dyresundheden, bør anvendelsen af undtagelsesforanstalt- ningerne til støtte for markedet bringes til ophør; forord- ning (EF) nr. 913/97 bør derfor ophæves; de i denne forordning fastsatte foranstaltninger er i over- ensstemmelse med udtalelse fra Forvaltningskomit(cid:130)en for Svinekød — UDSTEDT FØLGENDE FORORDNING: Artikel 1 Forordning (EF) nr. 913/97 ophæves. Artikel 2 Denne forordning træder i kraft p(cid:134) syvendedagen efter offentliggørelsen i De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende. Denne forordning er bindende i alle enkeltheder og gælder umiddelbart medlemsstat. i hver Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den 3. februar 1999. P(cid:134) Kommissionens vegne Franz FISCHLER Medlem af Kommissionen (1) EFT L 282 af 1. 11. 1975, s. 1. (2) EFT L 349 af 31. 12. 1994, s. 105. (3) EFT L 47 af 21. 2. 1980, s. 11. (4) EFT L 166 af 8. 7. 1993, s. 34. (5) EFT L 131 af 23. 5. 1997, s. 14. (6) EFT L 338 af 15. 12. 1998, s. 3


title: ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ αρ θ. 225/99 του James JANSSEN van RAAY Καταβολή διοδίων στην Ολλανδία

eurovoc_concepts:
Netherlands
application of EU law
consultation procedure
project evaluation
toll
vehicle tax

text: 12. 11. 1999 EL Επι΄σηµη Εφηµερι΄δα των Ευρωπαι¨κω΄ν Κοινοτη΄των C 325/91 (1999/C 325/119) ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ P-0222/99 υποβολη΄: Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) προς την Επιτροπη΄ (3 Φεβρουαρι΄ου 1999) Θε΄µα: Προβλη΄µατα ολλανδικω΄ν οικοδοµικω΄ν επιχειρη΄σεων στις εργασι΄ες τους, στη Γερµανι΄α Στις 3 Ιουλι΄ου 1998 ο υπογρα΄φων ε΄λαβε την απα΄ντηση του κ. Monti στην υπ’ αριθ. P-1529/98 (1) ερω΄τηση σχετικα΄ µε προβλη΄µατα ολλανδικω΄ν οικοδοµικω΄ν επιχειρη΄σεων στις εργασι΄ες τους, στη Γερµανι΄α. Απο΄ την απα΄ντηση προκυ΄πτει ο΄τι η Επιτροπη΄ εξετα΄ζει τη δυνατο΄τητα να κινη΄σει διαδικασι΄α παρα΄βασης κατα΄ της Γερµανι΄ας. Απο΄ ειδη΄σεις προκυ΄πτει ο΄τι η διαδικασι΄α αυτη΄ ε΄χει εν τω µεταξυ΄ κινηθει΄. 1. 2. (1) Μπορει΄ η Επιτροπη΄ να ανακοινω΄σει σε ποιο΄ στα΄διο βρι΄σκεται η διαδικασι΄α; Υπα΄ρχουν η΄δη αποτελε΄σµατα; ΕΕ C 50 της 22. 2. 1999, σελ. 45. Απα΄ντηση του κ. Monti εξ ονο΄µατος της Επιτροπη΄ς (11 Μαρτι΄ου 1999) Η Επιτροπη΄ κοινοποι΄ησε προειδοποιητικη΄ επιστολη΄ στην γερµανικη΄ κυβε΄ρνηση τον Νοε΄µβριο του 1998, 1. δι΄νοντα΄ς της την ευκαιρι΄α να εκφρα΄σει τις παρατηρη΄σεις της ο΄σον αφορα΄ δια΄φορες πτυχε΄ς της κανονιστικη΄ς ρυ΄θµισης της Γερµανι΄ας σχετικα΄ µε την απο΄σπαση των εργαζοµε΄νων στο πλαι΄σιο παροχη΄ς υπηρεσιω΄ν στον οικοδοµικο΄ τοµε΄α. Η γερµανικη΄ κυβε΄ρνηση ανακοι΄νωσε ο΄τι θα δω΄σει την απα΄ντηση΄ της στο τε΄λος του Φεβρουαρι΄ου 1999. Η 2. Επιτροπη΄ δεν ει΄ναι ακο΄µη σε θε΄ση να αναφε΄ρει εα΄ν και σε ποιο βαθµο΄ η γερµανικη΄ κυβε΄ρνηση ει΄ναι προετοιµασµε΄νη να τροποποιη΄σει την παρου΄σα θε΄ση της. Η Επιτροπη΄ επισυ΄ρει την προσοχη΄ του αξιο΄τιµου βουλευτη΄ στο γεγονο΄ς ο΄τι το ∆ικαστη΄ριο ενηµερω΄θηκε για ορισµε΄να προβλη΄µατα που σχετι΄ζονται µε τη γερµανικη΄ κανονιστικη΄ ρυ΄θµιση, ειδικα΄ ο΄σον αφορα΄ το καθεστω΄ς του ταµει΄ου αδειω΄ν στη Γερµανι΄α απο΄ το 1998 (1). (1) Υπο΄θεση C-49/98 « Finalarte ». (1999/C 325/120) ΓΡΑΠΤΗ ΕΡΩΤΗΣΗ P-0225/99 υποβολη΄: James Janssen van Raay (UPE) προς την Επιτροπη΄ (3 Φεβρουαρι΄ου 1999) Θε΄µα: Καταβολη΄ διοδι΄ων στην Ολλανδι΄α Μετα΄ τις επανειληµµε΄νες και µαζικε΄ς παραβια΄σεις των ευρωπαι¨κω΄ν νοµικω΄ν ρυθµι΄σεων (π. χ. Securitel) απο΄ την Ολλανδι΄α, ει΄ναι διατεθειµε΄νη η Επιτροπη΄ να εξετα΄σει εα΄ν η καταστροφικη΄ ιδε΄α της επιβολη΄ς διοδι΄ων ει΄ναι συµβατη΄ µε την ευρωπαι¨κη΄ νοµοθεσι΄α, και µα΄λιστα υπο΄ το φως των πολυα΄ριθµων διαµαρτυριω΄ν εκ µε΄ρους της Ολλανδι΄ας κατα΄ των αυτοκινητοδρο΄µων µε διο΄δια στο Βε΄λγιο και στη Γερµανι΄α, τα οποι΄α, ωστο΄σο, θα µπορου΄σαν να επιβληθου΄ν µο΄νο σε ευρωπαι¨κο΄ επι΄πεδο; ∆εν ει΄ναι οι προτιθε΄µενοι ε΄λεγχοι ασυ΄µβατοι µε την ευρωπαι¨κη΄ νοµοθεσι΄α που εγγυα΄ται την προστασι΄α του ιδιωτικου΄ περιβα΄λλοντος; Απα΄ντηση του κ. Kinnock εξ ονο΄µατος της Επιτροπη΄ς (9 Μαρτι΄ου 1999) Η ολλανδικη΄ κυβε΄ρνηση διαβουλευ΄θηκε, στις αρχε΄ς του 1998, µε την Επιτροπη΄, για την ενδεχο΄µενη θε΄σπιση κανονιστικη΄ς επιβα΄ρυνσης στην χρη΄ση των οδω΄ν στο Randstad, κατα΄ τη δια΄ρκεια των ωρω΄ν αιχµη΄ς. Οι διαβουλευ΄σεις µε την Επιτροπη΄ πραγµατοποιη΄θηκαν συ΄µφωνα µε την απο΄φαση 308/62/ΕΟΚ του Συµβουλι΄ου της 21ης Μαρτι΄ου 1962, ο΄πως τροποποιη΄θηκε απο΄ την απο΄φαση 73/402/ΕΟΚ του Συµβουλι΄ου της 22ας Νοεµβρι΄ου 1973 περι΄ καθιερω΄σεως διαδικασι΄ας προηγουµε΄νης εξετα΄σεως και διαβουλευ΄σεως για ορισµε΄νες νοµοθετικε΄ς, κανονιστικε΄ς η΄ διοικητικε΄ς διατα΄ξεις τις οποι΄ες προ΄κειται να θεσπι΄σουν µελλοντικω΄ς τα κρα΄τη µε΄λη στον τοµε΄α των µεταφορω΄ν (1). Στις 28 Μαι΅ου 1998, η Επιτροπη΄ αποφα΄νθηκε ο΄τι το υποβληθε΄ν νοµοσχε΄διο η΄ταν συµβατο΄ µε την κοινοτικη΄ νοµοθεσι΄α


title: 1999/690/EC: Commission Decision of 3 February 1999 on State aid which Germany is planning to introduce for Graphischer Maschinenbau GmbH, Berlin (notified under document number C(1999) 327) (Text with EEA relevance) (Only the German text is authentic)

eurovoc_concepts:
Germany
State aid
aid system
control of State aid
printing
spare part

text: L 272/16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 1999 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 3 February 1999 on State aid which Germany is planning to introduce for Graphischer Maschinenbau GmbH, Berlin (notified under document number C(1999) 327) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/690/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, The Commission has received no comments from interested parties. Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Communities, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to those provisions, Whereas: 1. Procedure By letter dated 21 January 1998, Germany notified the Commission of restructuring aid for Graphischer Maschi- nenbau GmbH, Berlin (GMB). By letters dated 17 March, 30 April and 18 June 1998, it provided the Commission with further information. By letter dated 17 August 1998, the Commission informed Germany that it had decided to initiate proceedings under Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the aid. The Commission decision to initiate proceedings was published the European Communities (1). The in the Official Journal of Commission called on interested parties their comments on the aid. to submit 2. Detailed description of the measures the restructuring process amount The Land of Berlin is offering restructuring aid to GMB in the form of a grant of DEM 9,31 million (EUR 4,76 million) spread over the period from 1998 to 2000. The estimated total costs of to DEM 22,93 million (EUR 11,72 million) and include measures relating to skills, the restructuring of production layout and organisation, a change in the product range and an increase in the vertical range of manufacture as well as the losses so far incurred, and those expected in the coming years. GMB is a manufacturer of newspaper printing machinery parts and is based in Berlin-Spandau (West), an area eligible for regional assistance under Article 92(3)(c). The workforce currently numbers 99 (as against 144 in 1996). GMB is a subsidiary of Koenig & Bauer-Albert AG, Würzburg (KBA), which is primarily a manufacturer of printing machinery. KBA is a large firm within the meaning of the Commission recom- mendation of 3 April 1996 concerning the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (2). For this reason, GMB must also be deemed to be a large firm, since it does not meet the independence criterion set out in Article 1(3) of the Annex to the recommendation. (1) OJ C 336, 4. 11. 1998, p. 13. (2) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. 22. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 272/17 the firm is in difficulty. The Figures such as the continuing downward trend in turnover and the operating losses recorded in 1996 and 1997 show clearly that restructuring programme drawn up by KBA on 24 February 1997, completed on l September 1997, covers the period 1998 to 2000. During this period, the proposed measures are to lead to optimum operating size, improved organisation and lower costs and, in particular, to the restructuring of GMB to enable the KBA group itself to produce machine parts (roller bearers) which had previously been procured from other firms. Since GMB does not have its own development department, the design and development of those parts are being handled by the parent company in Würzburg. The granting of the restruc- turing aid is, moreover, contingent on GMB's maintaining its workforce at 99 employees until the year 2006. KBA will contribute its own resources, amounting to a total of DEM 12,25 million, to the restructuring plan, in the form of the takeover of operating losses incurred by GMB in the past and expected to be incurred in 1998 and 1999, including social plan expenditure for 1997, adjustment for inventory clearance, and costs incurred during the partial closure in 1997. The restructuring measures are expected to decrease the losses in 1998 and 1999, while a profit of DEM 520 000 is expected for the year 2000. In addition, the above measures should result in an increase in annual turnover to DEM 36 million as from 2000. In its examination of the case on the basis of the notification, the Commission had doubts as to the compatibility of the proposed grant with the derogation provided for in Article 92(3) of the EC Treaty. At that stage of the investigation, it was not evident whether the Community Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (1) could be applied to GMB, on the grounds that: — the assumption that long-term viability can be restored is not satisfactorily supported either by GMB's trial balance sheets up to the year 2000 or by clear sales prospects in the relevant sectors, — the costs estimated by KBA in Würzburg for the develop- ment of special machinery parts are very high and, meas- ured against GMB's expected annual turnover as from the year 2000, not justified, — the parent company, KBA, is primarily interested in ensuring that the manufacture of special machinery parts is carried out within the group itself, with the result that there is no need to sell the know-how to GMB, which could manufacture the new products as a licensee, as is usual within a group, — no evidence has been produced to show that the develop- ment of new products is absolutely necessary for the restructuring of GMB, — the contribution of KBA, the parent company, consists primarily in the taking-over of the losses incurred since 1996 until GMB reaches break-even point in the year 2000. However, KBA is required to take over GMB's losses under the existing control and profit-transfer agreement, which means that losses incurred before the notification and already covered by KBA cannot be accepted as a contribu- tion by KBA to GMB's restructuring. the planned restructuring grant of DEM 9,31 million is not in proportion to the eligible costs and may not be of benefit only to a firm in difficulty within the meaning of the Guidelines on rescue and restructuring aid, but may also benefit the parent company. In addition, 3. Comments from Germany By letter dated 25 September 1998, Germany submitted its comments with regard to the grounds for initiating proceed- ings. Before the restructuring, the subsidiary company GMB served as an extended workbench within the KBA group and its different production sites in Frankenthal, Radebeul, Trennfeld, and Kusel (2). None of the products was manufactured ex- clusively in Berlin, but manufacture also took place at other KBA production sites. This overlap in capacity within the KBA group made GMB a crisis-prone company from 1993 onwards, when demand in the printing machinery sector fell drastically. Overstaffing, led to rapidly together with falling demand, mounting losses which threatened GMB's viability. The parent company, KBA, had already intended in November 1996 to close GMB on 30 June 1997, but eventually decided to allow part of the production plant in Berlin to continue to operate, provided that state aid was made available. (Rollenwechsler), cooling rollers The focus of the restructuring plan is the establishment of the ability within the KBA group to produce machinery parts (roller bearers (Kühlwalzen), drawing rollers (Einzugswerke)). Those machinery parts are inde- pendent modules of any web-offset press and represent less than 10 % of the total price of the printing machinery. Roller bearers, cooling rollers and drawing rollers would be in direct competition with other firms' products, possibly including those distributed by KBA. A prerequisite for the plan's success is the supply of compet- itive, economical and innovative products and their rapid intro- duction on the market. Due to the current structure, GMB is unable to develop such products on a short-term basis. Thus the restructuring plan involves recourse to the development and construction capacities of KBA in Würzburg, while future modifications and adaptations would be carried out in Berlin. However, Germany emphasises that the development activities undertaken in Würzburg, in the absence of appropriate capa- cities in Berlin, will benefit only GMB as an independent profit centre and supplier for the abovementioned modules. As from 1999, GMB will manufacture only improved products and will stop the manufacture of any products that were manufactured before the restructuring of the company. (1) OJ C 283, 19. 9. 1997, p. 2. (2) KBA in figures, http://. kba-print. de L 272/18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 1999 In addition to the previously presented preliminary profit and loss accounts up to the year 2000, Germany provided as part of the proceedings GMB's planned balance sheets from 1997 up to 2000. The figures in the planned balance sheets show a slight decrease in the balance sheet and generally sound finances. To support the assumptions, Germany presented market studies for 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 on KBA and GMB's shares of world-market turnover for web-offset presses for newspapers, commercial web-offset presses, web-fed rotogra- vure presses and roller bearers/web-offset presses. The figures reveal a steady increase in GMB's turnover for roller bearers, amounting to DEM 85 million in 1997, DEM 110 million in 1998, DEM 140 million in 1999 and DEM 160 million in the year 2000. GMB's percentage share of the total production of this product within KBA will rise from 61 % in 1997, to 74 % in 1998, 87,5 % in 1999 and 90 % in 2000. No sales forecast is provided for the other two modules, drawing rollers and cooling rollers, which GMB will continue to manufacture and further develop at its own site. of more competitive With regard to the estimate of DEM 6,075 million for the products, Germany development considers the Commission's doubts concerning the ratio between cost and GMB's expected annual turnover of DEM 36 million as from the year 2000 to be unjustified. Experience shows that the lifetime of newly developed products is usually seven years. Expenditure has therefore to be spread over this to an annual period which would burden of lead DEM 868 000. More against the abovementioned expected turnover in the year 2000, this would amount to 2,4 % a year, or 3,5 % if the costs for analytical revision are added to the above cost estimate. Such a ratio is considered extremely low in the mechanical engineering industry. Notwithstanding the ‘creation of new products’ previously mentioned to the Commission, the activities carried out in Würzburg do not meet the definitions either of applied research and development or of basic industrial research, laid down in Annex I to the Community framework on state aid for research and developments (1). The work is based on technical knowledge available within KBA, focusing in particular on the use of standard-sized rollers for paper rolls of different widths as well as the use of new, economical and handy components. The main point of the restructuring plan is the future indepen- dent ability of GMB within the KBA group to produce roller bearers, drawing rollers and cooling rollers. Expenditure in relation to these newly designed products, in particular roller bearers, is incurred exclusively for the benefit of GMB, which will purchase the know-how from KBA. Germany considers irrelevant the question whether the know-how should be purchased or the new products manufactured on a licensing basis. It argues that, in the latter case, a licence fee would have to be calculated that would cover all costs incurred during the development and construction and take into account a realistic (1) OJ C 45, 17. 2. 1996, p. 5. lifetime for the products. Any doubts as to GMB's liquidity are rejected on the grounds that the notified aid does not aim at removing liquidity problems, but at facilitating the restruc- turing of the company. As regards KBA's contribution from own resources, and in particular the taking-over of the losses incurred since 1996 and 1997, the control and profit-transfer agreement between KBA and GMB requires the taking-over of GMB's losses. However, the agreement does not specify any period of notice of termination. Thus, as from the crisis meeting held in February 1996, KBA could have terminated the agreement immediately. Furthermore, the entitlement to take over the losses arises at the date of presentation of the balance sheet. The balance sheet for the financial year 1996 was presented on 22 April 1997, well after the establishment of the restructuring plan within the framework of the ‘alliance for work’ (Bündnis für Arbeit) signed in February 1997. Germany considers that more importance should be attached to the question of why and on what scale the company's losses came about than to the question of the requirement that losses be taken over. If GMB had been closed down on 30 June 1997, as originally planned, with the resultant termination of the control and profit-transfer agreement between KBA and GMB, KBA would not have had to take over the total losses incurred in 1996 and 1997, namely the costs of social measures and closure. The bulk of the costs were due to the restructuring and the outage period required by the conversion of the production layout. Those costs exceed significantly those that would have been incurred for the planned closing down of GMB on 30 June 1997 (2). The assessment of the proposed aid of DEM 9,31 million for GMB and whether it is proportional to the eligible costs should take into account the contribution of the company from its own resources as well as the specific situation of west Berlin. Against the background of the decision to close down GMB and in view of the significant restructuring costs, on the one hand, and taking into account the specific regional situation of west Berlin and in particular the situation in the manufacturing industry, on the other, Germany considers that the contribu- tion of KBA is in proportion to the restructuring costs. Further- more, the proposed restructuring aid will not benefit KBA itself. Without the promised grant of restructuring aid, GMB would have closed down on 30 June 1997. Following the decision to continue the business despite GMB's significant losses, KBA took a considerable risk and took over costs exceeding the amount of the restructuring aid. From KBA's point of view, there was no need to preserve a small produc- tion site in Berlin with special competence within the group. Any production site within the KBA group would have been able to establish the ability to manufacture the products in question. Furthermore, the necessary expenditure would have been significantly below the restructuring costs incurred for GMB. (2) The costs incurred for partial closure amount to DEM 2,518 million and social costs to DEM 1,500 million, according to the balance sheet for 1997. 22. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 272/19 The security for the grant by a land charge amounting to DEM 9,31 million is confirmed and the notarial record is attached to the German letter as evidence. good the damage caused by natural disasters, nor is it granted to the economy of certain areas of the Federal Republic of Germany affected by the division of Germany. the proposed According to the German communication, restructuring aid may at most affect trade marginally but should not distort competition to an extent contrary to the common interest. GMB will be by far the smallest supplier of roller bearers. Other suppliers belong to international and financially strong groups. The main competitor in the roller bearer sector, Stork-Contiweb, is, via the Heidelberger Druck- maschinen AG, a subsidiary of RWE. Another competitor, Vits Maschinenbau GmbH, Langenfeld, is part of Deutsche Babcock AG. The granting of restructuring aid would allow GMB to operate as a competent and competitive supplier on the market for roller bearers, drawing rollers and cooling rollers. GMB's market position would intensify the competition on the rele- vant market, where there are no excess capacities. The notified restructuring aid aims at restoring the viability of GMB and will not create excess capacities, within either GMB or KBA. 4. Assessment of the aid Restructuring aid for GMB is provided from state resources and serves to keep in business a firm experiencing difficulties. It could therefore have adverse effects on the position of compet- itors from other Member states on the market for printing is international, and Community machinery. That market for manufacturers are in competition with one another customers within and outside the Community. Consequently, the state support may distort competition or threaten to distort it and affect trade between Member states. The planned state support therefore constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 92(1) of the EC Treaty because it enables the recipient company to carry out restructuring without having to bear the costs in full as any other firm in a normal market situation would have to do. The State aid is not covered under approved or existing aid schemes and must therefore be notified individually pursuant to Article 93(3) of the EC Treaty. Germany has complied with this notification requirement. Article 92(1) of the EC Treaty lays down the principle that aid having the characteristics specified therein is incompatible with the common market. Article 92(2) and (3) of the EC Treaty lists exemptions under which aid may be found compatible with the common market. The exemptions provided for in Article 92(2) of the EC Treaty do not apply since the aid is not aid having a social character granted to individual consumers, nor does it serve to make Similarly, the exemptions laid down in Article 92(3)(a) do not apply, since the aid does not promote the economic develop- ment of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment. Nor can the derogation provided for in Article 92(3)(b) apply, since the aid is not intended to promote an important project of common European interest or to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member state. Nor does the derogation laid down in Article 92(3)(d) apply, since the aid is not intended to promote culture and heritage conservation. Restructuring aid may be deemed compatible with the common market only under the exemption provided for in Article 92(3)(c) if such aid can help to promote economic activity without trade being affected in a way that runs counter to the common interest, provided that the conditions set out in the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty are met. In this context, the application of the exemption must be examined on the basis of the frameworks and guidelines in which the Commission set out clearly its interpretation of the exemption in question. The Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty, laying down the conditions under which restructuring aid can be considered compatible with the common market, are the applicable legal basis in the present case. Under these guidelines, restructuring must take place in the context of a feasible, coherent and far-reaching plan to restore a firm's long-term viability within a reasonable timescale on the basis of realistic assumptions as to its future operating conditions. Restructuring plans take account, inter alia, of the circumstances giving rise to the company's diffi- culty, market supply and demand for the relevant products as well as their expected development and the specific strengths and weaknesses of the company. They allow an orderly transi- tion of the company to a new structure that gives it viable to operate on the long-term prospects and will enable it strength of its own resources without requiring further state assistance. Restructuring usually involves the reorganisation and rationali- sation of the firm's activities on to a more efficient basis typically involving the withdrawal from activities that are no longer viable or are already loss-making. In addition, those existing activities should be restructured that can be made competitive again and, possibly, new viable activities should be developed or diversified into. Financial restructuring usually has to accompany the physical restructuring. L 272/20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 1999 the Community guidelines, the According to Section 3 of Commission has to examine whether the restructuring meets the following requirements: first, it must restore the long-term the company within a reasonable timescale, viability of secondly, in undue distortion of competition, thirdly, the aid must be in proportion to the restructuring costs and benefits, fourthly, the restructuring plan must be fully implemented, fifthly, detailed annual reports must be submitted to the Commission in order to monitor the implementation, progress and success of the restructuring plan. the aid must not result 4. 1. Restoration of long-term viability By letter dated 21 January 1998, Germany submitted a restruc- turing plan drawn up by KBA to keep GMB in business. By letters dated 17 March and 30 April 1998, Germany completed the notification providing in particular detailed preliminary profit-and-loss accounts and the balance sheets for the financial years 1996 and 1997. During the proceedings, Germany submitted planned balance sheets from 1997 up to the year 2000. The restructuring plan takes account of the circum- stances giving rise to the firm's difficulties, notably its unfav- ourable operating size and cost-structure, unsound financial position and the duplication of capacity within the KBA group in relation to the range of products manufactured by GMB and at other KBA production sites. The Commission notes at the outset the group is committed to implementing the that restructuring plan. In order to adjust its coststructure, GMB had primarily to reduce staff expenditure. Staff costs were almost 35 % of turn- over in 1996. As a result of the partial closure in mid-1997, 45 jobs were cut and the workforce reduced from 144 to 99 employees. As provided for in the restructuring plan, GMB's employees agreed to relinquish the contractual wage increase of 1,5 % in 1997 and to accept wage cuts and the waiving of welfare benefits under the ‘alliance for work’ für Arbeit), leading to a cost reduction of DEM 150 000 per year on a permanent basis. Comparing the profit-and-loss accounts for 1996 and 1997, the cost reduction for staff represents in total DEM 3,991 million or 33 %. According to the prelimi- nary accounts, the costs will further decrease in 1998 and 1999 by DEM 1,148 million compared to 1997, while in 2000 they are expected to reach about the same level as in 1997. (Bündnis Cost reductions of approximately 10 % will also be achieved in the field of assembly and engineering by optimisation of the production process as well as constructive simplification. Interest and miscellaneous costs are expected to decrease, whereas the expenditure for material will be lowered by a further 2 % through more favourable purchase prices. The preliminary profit-and-loss accounts show, however, a steady increase in this expenditure between 1997 and 2000 in line with the expected increase in turnover. Accordingly, the restructuring will be to a large extent achieved by the already implemented reduction in staff costs and improvements in the production process. The restructuring focuses on the supply of improved and in- novative products and their rapid introduction on the market. These products will exclusively be manufactured by GMB, thus avoiding the current duplication of capacity within the KBA group. The restoration of the company's financial position is primarily financed by the parent company through the taking-over of GMB's losses incurred since 1996 until the company reaches the break-even point to be expected in the year 2000. As from that year, profits are forecast to rise to DEM 520 000. forecast balance sheets, The Commission examined the profit-and-loss accounts and cash-flow figures, which were drawn up until 2000, to assess whether the restructuring meas- ures would result in the restoration of GMB's viability. The Commission notes that the forecasts were presented in detail with statements on the underlying assumptions. The imple- mentation of the restructuring concept required a completely new factory layout geared to modern production conditions for the three aggregates. Further productivity gains are expected from the subsequent introduction of group work. The Commission considers that the decisive restructuring measure is GMB's concentration on the manufacture of only three machinery parts, namely roller-bearers, cooling rollers and drawing rollers and, in particular, in the introduction of the revised, more competitive roller-bearers for web-offset presses and rotogravure presses, whose development is to be undertaken by KBA. The Commission notes that loss-making products will be abandoned. The distribution of the improved machinery parts by the parent company, coupled with the capacity reduction at other KBA production sites for these parts, and their incorporation into KBA printing machinery, offer GMB reliable sales potential. According to Germany, the indispensable rapid marketing of the innovative products can be achieved only with the help of the development and construction capacities of KBA in Würz- burg. GMB expects an increase in turnover of 30,9 % in 1998, 15,8 % in 1999 and 4,7 % in 2000. The Commission notes that the significant increase in turnover in 1998 compared with 1997 is due to the losses incurred during the outage period in 1997 when the conversion of the production layout started. The Commission considers these assumptions optimistic but achievable. The Commission also notes that KBA provided a detailed geographical breakdown of turnover for 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 in the business areas of KBA and GMB. The Commission notes further that GMB's share within the KBA group for improved roller bearers will rise steadily from 61 % in 1997 to 90 % in 2000, resulting in a turnover increase from DEM 85 million in 1997 to DEM 140 million in 2000. 22. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 272/21 GMB's balance sheet for 1997 as well as the forecast balance sheets up to the year 2000 still reveal a positive equity capital amounting to DEM 6 million. However, the existing control and profit-transfer agreement between KBA and GMB required the parent company to take over GMB's losses and therefore allowed the equity capital to remain positive. Apart from the cost for developing and improving the products to be manufactured by GMB, thus establishing a manufacturing ability for these parts in Berlin, and other restructuring costs, neither the restructuring programme nor the forecasts indicate that GMB plans significant investments until the year 2000. GMB should therefore be able to achieve a sound financial position in the year 2000. The following tables summarise the most important aspects of the Commission analysis: (in 1 000 DEM or EUR) Profit and loss account 1997 (1) 1998 1999 2000 DEM EUR DEM EUR DEM EUR DEM EUR Turnover Staff expenditure Operating result Profit/loss 22 691 11 602 29 700 15 185 34 400 17 588 36 000 18 407 7 968 4 074 6 820 – 2 744 – 1 403 – 1 383 – 2 839 – 1 452 – 1 484 3 487 – 707 – 759 6 820 – 76 – 176 3 487 7 400 3 784 39 90 620 520 317 266 (1) Budget year closed on 31 December 1997. Balance sheet 1997 (1) 1998 1999 2000 DEM EUR DEM EUR DEM EUR DEM EUR Equity capital Creditors Balance sheet total 6 000 7 382 16 464 3 068 3 774 8 418 6 000 7 400 16 500 3 068 3 784 8 436 6 000 7 000 16 000 3 068 3 579 8 181 6 000 6 500 15 500 3 068 3 323 7 925 (in 1 000 DEM or EUR) (1) Budget year closed on 31 December 1997. The Commission takes the view that the forecasts show that GMB has viable long-term prospects and is able to operate on the strength of its own resources without requiring further state assistance. 4. 2. Avoidance of undue distortions of competition through the aid The Commission examined whether measures have been taken to offset adverse effects of the restructuring aid on the compet- itors and whether the aid can be deemed eligible for exemption pursuant to Article 92(3)(c). It has first to be noted that GMB is based in Berlin-Spandau (west), an area eligible for regional assistance under Article 92(3)(c). The restructuring aid in form of a grant from the Berlin author- ities may generate distortive market effects since GMB is still in business. a structural excess of production capacity in the relevant market. The market for printing machinery is closely linked to the printing and publishing sector. This sector was growing until the end of the 1980s, reached maturity and, since the begin- ning of the 1990s, production has gradually slowed down. The traditional forms of reproduction also constitute a mature market with modest growth potential. The sector is in a process of constant restructuring because of the need to adapt to information and telecommunication technology develop- ments that threaten the prospects for the paper-based printing industry. Apparent consumption and Community production, expressed in current prices, increased by 67 to 68 % between 1985 and 1994. The growth in global consumption slowed down in 1992 by about 1 % and dropped by 2,7 % in 1993, although it rose again by 2 % in 1994. Production followed similar trends, but the recovery in 1994 came to an end in 1995 and production has since then been stagnating (1). The Commission reviewed the market data available and the market report provided by Germany to assess whether there is (1) Panorama of EU Industry, European Commission, Volume 2, 1997. L 272/22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 1999 According to Germany, demand fell between 1993 and 1995 on the German market for printing machinery. The turnover of the three main producers declined within this period by 13 %, resulting in price decreases and substantial job cuts of 2 500 employees (9,3 %). However, recent figures show that production in this sector increased by 4,9 % in 1996 compared with 1995, and by a further 11,2 % in 1997 compared with 1996. The capacity utilisation ratio in this sector was 89,1 % in 1996 and 89,4 % in June 1997 (1). KBA's market forecasts for 1998 until the year 2000 assume a steady growth of production in the relevant segments of the world market. Furthermore, Germany reports that there is no overcapacity on this market. Pursuant to point 3. 2(ii) of the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty, the restructuring plan must make a contribution, proportionate to the amount of aid received, to the restructuring of the industry serving the relevant market in the European 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. The Commission notes that the restructuring plan of GMB is primarily based on a new, more efficient factory layout as well as on a change in the range of products. The manufacturing and assembling of parts of the existing products will either be reduced or, if they have been loss-making, abandoned. The parts abandoned by GMB have been increasingly manufactured at the parent company's production sites in Würzburg and Frankenthal in order to increase their own capacity utilisation ratio. The Commission notes further that GMB will concentrate on the manufacture of only three machinery parts, which will be incorporated into KBA printing machinery, thus replacing, to a large extent, products supplied by outside manufacturers, but will still remain in competition with those suppliers. The machinery parts in question are used in web-offset presses and rotogravure presses and together represent less than 10 % of the total value of a printing machine. KBA's market share in these printing machinery segments amounted in 1997 to 9 % and 20 % respectively of the world market. The Commission takes note that no structural excess of production capacities exists on the relevant market. Moreover, the Commission notes that GMB has abandoned certain activ- ities and has reduced its product range. In addition, the forecast turnover for the improved products will grow at the same rate as the world market sales prospects. The Commission also takes acccount into account that GMB is the smallest supplier of roller bearers and that other suppliers belong to inter- In accordance with national and financially strong groups. point 3. 2(ii) of the Community guidelines, where there is no structural excess of production capacity in a relevant market in the Community served by the recipient, the Commission does not normally require a reduction of capacity in return for the aid. Accordingly, since there is no evidence of excess capacity, since GMB's market shares are relatively small and since the produc- tion of the products is redistributed within the KBA group and therefore does not increase the capacity, the Commission does not see any need for measures to be adopted to offset adverse effects of the aid on competitors. 4. 3. Aid in proportion to the restructuring costs and benefits The Commission examined whether the aid was limited to the minimum needed for the company's restructuring. The Commission takes account of the fact that the restruc- turing aid of DEM 9,31 million was accompanied by signi- ficant contributions by KBA of DEM 12,25 million in order to write off GMB's operating losses incurred since 1996 until GMB reaches the break-even point in the year 2000. First, the Commission summarised KBA's own-resources contri- bution to the restructuring plan as follows: [. ] (*). As to the cost taken over by KBA as the company's own- resources contribution to the restructuring plan, the Commis- sion notes that the losses in 1996 and 1997 and the costs of the partial closure in mid-1997, amounting to DEM 9,091 million, were incurred before the date of notification of the restructuring aid, 21 January 1998. Furthermore, the Commission would point out that, pursuant to the existing control and profit-transfer agreement between KBA and GMB, KBA is required to take over the losses incurred by GMB. However, the Commission notes that the agreement could have been cancelled by KBA after the crisis meeting in February 1996, since it does not provide for any period of notice of in November 1996 KBA proposed closing down GMB on 30 June in which case the agreement would have been ter- 1997, minated before the closure and GMB would not have been entitled to take over the operating losses incurred in 1996 and 1997 or the costs arising from the closure. termination. The Commission also notes that The Commission has also takes note of the ‘alliance for work’ (Bündnis für Arbeit) signed in February 1997 on the basis of the restructuring plan. Finally, the Commission has taken into consideration that the costs incurred in 1997 are caused by the restructuring and the outage period due to the conversion of the production layouts and range of products. (1) VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e. V. ) 9. 7. 1998. (*) Parts of this text have been edited to ensure that confidential infor- mation is not disclosed; those parts are enclosed in square brackets and marked with an asterisk. 22. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 272/23 In view of the fact that there was no actual obligation on KBA to take over the operating losses incurred in 1996 (1) and 1997 and taking into account the fact that the restructuring costs exceed the costs which would have been incurred for the planned closing-down of GMB, the Commission considers that KBA contributed DEM 12,25 million to the restructuring of GMB. The following table summarises the total amount of contributions to the restructuring: Contribution to the restructuring in 1 000 DEM in 1 000 EUR % 1. Grant of the Land of Berlin = total State aid 2. Total contribution of KBA 3. Contribution GMB/KBA 9 310 12 250 1 370 4 760 6 260 40,6 53,4 6,0 Total 1 + 2 + 3 22 930 11 720 100 Secondly, estimated restructuring costs, which is summarised in the following table: the Commission compared the company's contribution from its own resources with the Estimated costs (in 1 000 DEM) […] * Würzburg […] * Berlin […] * Total […] * (in 1 000 DEM) Total (1 + 2) 4 875 18 055 22 930 The Commission notes that the total costs for restructuring the company amount to DEM 22,93 million (EUR 11,72 million), including DEM 12,25 million to cover the operating losses, social-plan costs and adjustment costs taken over by KBA, and DEM 10,68 million for the introduction of improved products and the new factory layout. The Commission also takes note of the costs for the design and development of the new products as well as analytical improvement for existing products that were incurred in both Würzburg and Berlin. Finally, the Commission notes that the parent company will sell the know-how for the innovative products, designed and developed in Würzburg for their exclusive manufacture in Berlin, to GMB. In this context, the Commission also takes into consideration the fact that neither the definition of applied research and development nor that of basic industrial research laid down in Annex I to the Community framework on state aid for research and development is applicable to the activities carried out in Würzburg. The Commission also takes note of the detailed cost breakdown and of the detailed technical description and data relating to the activities carried out in Würzburg, attached to the German comments. The Commission also notes that the expenditure for the development of the new products is spread over a lifetime of seven years, as is usual in mechanical engineering manufacturing, giving an annual burden of DEM 868 000 and, measured against the expected turnover of DEM 36 million in 2000, a share of 2,4 % per year. The Commission takes into account Germany's assurance that the parent company's activities amounting to 15 000 man/hours at DEM 175 (DEM 2,625 million) for the development and a further DEM 500 for the production of the prototype of the roller-bearer (web-offset presses) and to 10 000 man/hours at DEM 175 (DEM 1,75 million) for the revision and standardising of the roller bearer (rotogravure presses) will benefit GMB alone. Germany did not provide an exact timetable to show whether the development costs occurred after the notification of the restructuring aid. However, the Commission has noted that the improved roller-bearer (Type ‘Pastomat RC’) has been mass-produced by GMB since the end of 1997, resulting in a first commercial success for the restructuring plan. It can therefore be concluded that a significant part of the development expenditure had already taken place before January 1998. Furthermore, approximately 80 % of the costs for design and development of the new products were incurred in the parent company's development and construction facilities in Wurzburg (and Frankenthal according to the communication of 25 September 1998). It has to be noted that neither Würzburg nor Frankenthal is located in areas eligible for regional assistance pursuant to Article 92(3)(c). The Commission (1) The balance sheet for 1996 was, as usual, presented in April in February 1997 on the basis of the restructuring plan. work’ (1997), i. e. , after the conclusion of the ‘alliance for L 272/24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 10. 1999 notes that GMB's capacities would not have allowed for developing, on a short-term basis, the requisite competitive and innovative products and that GMB therefore had to have recourse to KBA's capacities. However, the Commission considers that the parent company was, in any case, interested in supplying improved machinery parts to be incorporated into its printing machinery. Therefore, the development costs of DEM 4,875 million incurred in Würzburg/Frankenthal, and already to a large extent disbursed before the notification, may be assumed to have benefited the KBA group, although the improved machinery is manufactured by GMB, thereby providing GMB with its own area of competence within the KBA group. Finally, the Commission would point out that the purchase price to be paid by GMB for the know-how in these products, which according to Germany has been ‘calculated in order to cover all costs incurred during development and construction’, will to a certain extent offset KBA's development costs. The following table summarises the total eligible costs, the amount of contributions from the company's own resources and compares the costs eligible for restructuring aid against the amount of State aid: Cost/Contribution Measure in 1 000 DEM Contribution in % 1. Costs Restructuring costs incurred in Berlin Taking over of adjustment for inventory clearing losses, partial-closure costs, Total eligible cost 2. Contribution Total own resources KBA GMB/KBA 3. State aid Development to deducted from State aid costs be Eligible State aid amount 5 805 12 250 32 68 18 055 100 12 250 1 370 13 620 9 310 4 875 4 435 75} 52} 27 25 Taking into account the above calculations, GMB would evidently receive an amount of DEM 22,93 million, including DEM 13,62 million from own resources and DEM 9,31 million from public resources. In order to keep the contributions to the minimum needed for the company's restructuring, the proposed state aid of DEM 9,31 million should be reduced by the development costs amounting to DEM 4,875 million, that is to say, by the amount by which the eligible restructuring costs of DEM 18,055 million are exceeded. The viability of GMB will not be affected by this reduction since the costs have to a large extent already been incurred and since KBA, which is not a firm in difficulty, is the main beneficiary of the activities carried out at its own production site. The measure does not therefore provide any additional incentive, whereas the abovementioned costs are independent from the restructuring of GMB itself and the measure serves the restructuring of the KBA group. Accordingly, the Commission considers only the amount of DEM 4,435 million to be the minimum needed and in proportion to the eligible restructuring costs of DEM 18,055 million and to the contribution from own resources of DEM 13,62 million. 4. 4. Full implementation of the restructuring plan and observance of conditions According to point 3. 2(iv) of the Community guidelines, the restructuring plan submitted to the Commis- sion must be fully implemented by the aid recipient who must also discharge any other obligations laid down by the Commission decision. 22. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 272/25 The Commission notes that the restructuring aid is granted for a period of three years (1998 to 2000) and that payments will be spread over this period. The Commission further notes that the proposed grant will have to be reimbursed in the event that the restructuring measures are not fully implemented. The Commission has also noted that GMB is bound by a collateral security amounting to DEM 9,31 million according to the notarial act referenced No 568/1997 of 13 November 1997. 4. 5. Monitoring and annual report The Commission has taken note that Germany will provide the Commission with an annual report. 5. Conclusions Germany notified the proposed State aid according to Article 93(3) of the EC Treaty and therefore complied with its obliga- tion to notify individually in the absence of an approved aid scheme. The Commission also notes that it is the first time that GMB, a company in difficulty, has applied for restructuring aid. The Commission takes into account that the State aid in the form of a grant partly meets the conditions laid down in the Community guidelines for firms in difficulty, notably in that the restructuring aid restores the long-term viability of the company within a reasonable timescale and avoids undue distortion of competition. However, the aid is not within the minimum needed for the company's restructuring in that the proposed grant exceeds the eligible costs by DEM 4,875 that only a grant million. The Commission considers amounting to DEM 4,435 million rather than DEM 9,31 million complies with the requirements laid down in point 3. 2. (iii) of the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty. The Commission has concluded that the State aid measures contribute to the development of certain activities that do not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. The aid is therefore compatible with the common market to the extent of the amount specified. Consequently, Germany is authorised to provide aid amounting to DEM 4,435 million (EUR 2,268 million) to GMB, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The State aid which Germany is planning to grant to Graph- in the form of a grant ischer Maschinenbau GmbH, Berlin, is compatible with the amounting to DEM 9,31 million, common market within the meaning of Article 92(3)(c) of the EC Treaty and Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement only to the extent of DEM 4,435 million. The amount of planned aid in excess of DEM 4,435 million may not be granted. Article 2 Germany shall provide the Commission with detailed annual reports in order to demonstrate the due implementation of the restructuring plan. Article 3 Germany shall inform the Commission, within two months of notification of this Decision, of the measures taken to comply with it. This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany. Article 4 Done at Brussels, 3 February 1999. For the Commission Karel VAN MIERT Member of the Commission


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE Nr. 129/99 von Leonie van BLADEL Kosten im Zusammenhang mit der Einführung des Euro

eurovoc_concepts:
European Union
bank
dominant position
euro
financial transaction
monetary union
national currency
price list

text: C 289/116 Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften DE 11. 10. 1999 (1999/C 289/152) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-0129/99 von Leonie van Bladel (UPE) an den Rat (3. Februar 1999) Betrifft: Kosten im Zusammenhang mit der Einführung des Euro Hat der Rat davon Kenntnis, daß die Banken im Zuge der Einführung des Euro für Geldabhebungen 1. mittels Pin-Code im Ausland ihren Kunden jeweils 5 Gulden berechnen? Ist dem Rat ferner bekannt, daß für Zahlungen mittels Pin-Code an inländischen Kassen jeweils 0,50 2. Gulden von den Banken berechnet werden? 3. Ist sich der Rat darüber im klaren, daß hauptsächlich wegen der Berechnung von 5 Gulden pro Abhebung die Bankkunden sich im Ausland gezwungen sehen, größere Beträge abzuheben, um Kosten zu sparen? Bei Abheben von 500 Gulden sind dies 5 Gulden, werden jedoch 5 mal 100 Gulden abgehoben, belaufen sich die Kosten insgesamt auf 25 Gulden. Ist der Rat nicht auch der Auffassung, daß das Abheben höherer Geldsummen aus Kostenersparnis der 4. Sicherheit der Bürger keinesfalls dienlich ist? 5. Ist der Rat angesichts der einheitlichen Gebühren, die von den Banken in Rechnung gestellt werden, bereit zu prüfen, ob es sich hier um Kartellbildung bzw. Mißbrauch einer Monopolstellung durch die Banken handelt? 6. Welche Maßnahmen wird der Rat dagegen ergreifen, wenn sich dies herausstellen sollte? Gemeinsame Antwort auf die Schriftlichen Anfragen E-4027/98 und E-0129/99 (29. März 1999) Wie der Frau Abgeordneten möglicherweise bekannt ist, hat die Kommission am 23. April 1998 eine an die Mitgliedstaaten und die Banken sowie ihre Verbände gerichtete Empfehlung zu Bankentgelten im Zusam- menhang mit der Umstellung auf den Euro angenommen. In dieser Empfehlung hat die Kommission die Auffassung vertreten, die Banken hätten keinen Rechtsanspruch auf: > Gebühren für die während der Übergangszeit erfolgende Umrechnung von eingehenden Zahlungen, die auf Euro oder die Landeswährung lauten, > Gebühren für die am Ende der Übergangszeit erfolgende Umstellung eines Kontos von der Landes- währung auf Euro, > für Dienstleistungen berechnete Gebühren in Euro, die von den für ansonsten identische Dienstleistungen erhobenen und in Landeswährung berechneten Gebühren abweichen. Bei anderen Transaktionen sind die Banken wie auch bei anderen von ihnen erbrachten Dienstleistungen grundsätzlich berechtigt, Gebühren zu erheben, solange sie nicht gegen die Bestimmungen des Vertrags und insbesondere gegen dessen Wettbewerbsregeln verstoßen. Zu den Nummern 5 und 6: Gemäß Artikel 89 des Vertrags sorgt die Kommission für die Einhaltung der im Vertrag, insbesondere in den Artikeln 85 und 86, enthaltenen Grundsätze des freien Wettbewerbs (Verbot von Vereinbarungen und aufeinander abgestimmten Verhaltensweisen, die den Wettbewerb einschränken oder verzerren, sowie Verbot der mißbräuchlichen Ausnutzung einer beherrschenden Stellung). (1999/C 289/153) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE E-4034/98 von Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) an die Kommission Betrifft: Förderung extensiver Landwirtschaft (8. Januar 1999) 1. Welche Programme stehen in der Europäischen Union zur Verfügung, um extensive Landwirtschaft zu unterstützen? 2. Gibt es Beispiele für geförderte Projekte, die sich mit der Bodenhaltung von Legehennen beschäftigen, wenn ja, welche sind das, wo wurden sie durchgeführt und in welcher Höhe hat die EU diese Projekte bezuschußt?