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SSttaattee AAiidd WWeeeekkllyy ee--NNeewwss Nr. 32/06, 29.09.2006 22.09.2006 - 28.09.2006 HHiigghhlliigghhttss ‘Poste Italiane` - Commission endorses €2.4 billion public service compensation for 2000-2005; opens investigation into interest rates for funds collected as of 2005 The European Commission has decided not to raise objections under EC Treaty state aid rules to compensation paid to ‘Poste Italiane` from 2000 to 2005 to meet the costs of fulfilling its public service obligations. However, the Commission has opened a formal investigation under the state aid rules into the level of interest rates applied to the funds collected from ‘Poste Italiane’s customers` current accounts and deposited with the Treasury as of 2005. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed measures. It does not prejudge on the outcome of the procedure. Read more Commission investigates proposed new Danish CO2 tax reductions The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to examine whether Danish plans to grant CO2 tax exemptions to companies covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) are compatible with EC Treaty state aid rules. The Commission is concerned that the measure might distort competition by increasing tax differentiation in an area where the EU has harmonised taxes in order to create a level playing field between companies. Furthermore, the Danish measure might run against the “polluter-pays” principle, a leading principle of the EU’s environmental policy, as companies participating in the EU ETS have received most of the emission allowances for free. The opening of a formal investigation gives interested parties the opportunity to comment on the intended measures. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure. Read more The need for a renewed European energy policy Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy OFGEM seminar on Powering the Energy Debate: Europe - Competition and Regulation London, 28th September 2006 To read the full speech, click here

II.. DDrraafftt lleeggiissllaattiioonn aanndd ppuubblliicc ccoonnssuullttaattiioonnss 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

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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 Draft Community framework for state aid for research and development and innovation The State Aid Action Plan adopted in June 2005 stated that the Commission would consider to create a Framework for R&D and Innovation. When prolonging the Community Framework for State aid for Research and Development in December 2005, the Commission had announced that all interested parties would receive an opportunity to submit comments with regard to the revision of the R&D-rules. Accordingly, a draft of the Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development and Innovation was published on 30 May 2006, in order to give all interested parties the opportunity to submit comments on the measures proposed therein. Following this first consultation, a new draft has been published. To read the full text, click here da de et en es fr it nl pt fi sv cs el lt lv hu pl sk sl Deadline for comments: 13 October 2006 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 Closed public consultations: DG Competition

DG Agriculture DG Transport and Energy DG Fisheries

IIII.. NNeeww lleeggiissllaattiioonn

- none –

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

Country Title Case number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

3

Denmark Modification of the CO2 tax for quota-regulated fuel consumption in the industry

Press release

C 41/2006 (ex N 318a/2004)

26.09.2006

Italy Poste Italiane SpA - BancoPosta: remuneration of current accounts deposited with the Treasury

Press release

C 42/2006 (ex NN 52/2006)

Regional development aid

26.09.2006

22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppeennddiinngg OOJJ ppuubblliiccaattiioonn Click here to see the full list 33.. DDeecciissiioonnss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn tthhee OOJJ ffrroomm 2288..0088..22000055 ttoo 2288..0099..22000066 –– FFoorrmmaall ccoommmmeennttss ppeerriioodd rruunnnniinngg * Where the last day of the public comments period falls on a public holiday in a Member State, the deadline for comments of parties residing in that Member State ends on the following working day.

Country Title/Links to documents Case

number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Portugal Temporary Defensive Mechanism to Shipbuilding, Portugal

OJ C 223 of 16.09.2006, p. 4 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Deadline for comments*: 16.10.2006

C 26/2006 (ex N 110/2006)

22.06.2006

Italy Excise tax reduction for biofuel

OJ C 218 of 09.09.2006, p. 2 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Deadline for comments*: 09.10.2006

C 30/2006 (ex N 367/2005 and N 623/2005)

04.07.2006

Italy Preferential Electricity Tariff for Energy Intensive Industries in Italy

OJ C 214 of 06.09.2006, 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*: 06.10.2006

C 36/2006 (ex NN 38/2006)

Regional development aid

19.07.2006

Italy Projet d'intervention en faveur de la société Nuova Mineraria Silius S.p.A.

OJ C 210 of 01.09.2006, p. 39 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Deadline for comments*: 02.10.2006

C 16/2006 (ex NN 34/2006 and N 602/2005)

15.05.2006

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Belgium Training aid to General Motors Antwerp

OJ C 210 of 01.09.2006, p. 6 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Deadline for comments*: 02.10.2006

C 14/2006 (ex N 624/2005)

Training aid 10.05.2006

France Eléments d'aide contenus dans le mécanisme du livret bleu du crédit mutuel

OJ C 210 of 01.09.2006, p. 12 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Deadline for comments*: 02.10.2006

C 88/1997 (ex NN 183 /1995)

07.06.2006

Poland Restructuring aid in favour of Huta Cynku Miasteczko Slaskie S.A.

OJ C 207 of 30.08.2006, 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*: 02.10.2006

C 32/2006 (ex N 179/2006)

Restructuring aid

19.07.2006

DG Agriculture cases

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

Czech Republic

Aid for Bohemia-Sen s.r.o. N 30/2006 Regional development aid

22.09.2006

France Employment aid in the hotel, bar and restaurant sector - France

N 511/2006 Employment aid

26.09.2006

Hungary Excise duty reduction for the biofuel E85

N 234/2006 Environmental aid

22.09.2006

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Italy Poste Italienne SpA - State compensation for universal postal service obligations 2000 – 2005

Press release

NN 51/2006 SGEI 26.09.2006

Italy Aide au sauvetage de la Compagnia Italiana Turismo SpA

Decision amending no objection decision of 04.07.2006

NN 16/2006 Rescue aid 26.09.2006

Netherlands CASIMIR - Programme 2005 N 398/2006 R&D aid 22.09.2006

Spain ICREA N 392/2006 R&D aid 22.09.2006

Spain MSF 2002-Aid to SAICA - Zaragoza-Spain

NN 81/2004 Regional development aid

26.09.2006

DG Transport and Energy cases

Czech Republic

Deficient boating conditions on the river Elbe

Press release

N 564/2005 26.09.2006

Czech Republic

Sustainable development of transport

Press release

N 178/2006 26.09.2006

Ireland Regional airports capital expenditure grant scheme

Press release

N 353/2006 26.09.2006

11..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn

Country Title Case number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Slovakia Restructuring aid to KONAS - Slovakia C 42/2005 Restructuring aid 26.09.2006

DG Agriculture cases

Netherlands Subsidy for a malt house

Press release

C 14/2005 26.09.2006

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

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Austria FTE-Guideline

de en

N 189a/2006 R&D aid 11.08.2006

Czech Republic

R&D into environmental technologies

cs en

N 378/2006 R&D aid 14.08.2006

France Crédit d'impôt en faveur des sociétés créées pour le rachat de tout ou partie du capital d'une entreprise par ses salariés

fr en

N 351/2006 19.07.2006

France Zones Franches Urbaines

fr

N 70a/2006 22.06.2006

Germany Aid to CSG Solar

de en

N 335/2006 R&D aid 19.07.2006

Germany BayernLB – Recapitalisation

de en

NN 72/2005 No aid 06.09.2005

Italy Aide au sauvetage de la Compagnia Italiana Turismo SpA

it en

NN 16/2006 Rescue aid 04.07.2006

Poland Supporting the creation of Seed Capital Funds

pl en

N 599/2005 Risk capital aid

19.06.2006

Spain Aid to Innovation and Technological Development in the Information Technologies Sector in Madrid

es en

N 289/2006 R&D aid 11.08.2006

DG Agriculture cases

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

de en

N 342/2006 31.08.2006

France Aide au sauvetage de l'entreprise DUC

fr

NN 36/2006 01.06.2006

Germany Acorn-fed pigs

de en

N 46/2006 14.08.2006

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

el fr

N 138/2006 11.08.2006

Hungary Support for the safe disposal of waste of animal origin

hu en

N 519/2005 31.08.2006

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Ireland Investment aid for the marketing and processing of agricultural products

en

N 438/2006 11.08.2006

Italy Programme of Protection of Local Endangered Breeds (Toscana)

it en

N 375/2006 04.08.2006

Italy Aide à l'innovation dans le secteur de l'agriculture (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia)

it

N 215a/2006 31.08.2006

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

it fr

N 83/2006 No aid 11.08.2006

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

it fr

NN 43/2006 04.08.2006

Lithuania Support for procurement of breeding animal

lt en

N 405/2006 Investment in agricultural holdings

04.08.2006

Netherlands Reprise des mesures d'aide du Landbouwschap par le Productschap voor Vee en Vlees

nl en

N 499/2006 31.08.2006

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

nl en

N 195/2006 14.08.2006

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

es fr

N 470/2006 14.08.2006

United Kingdom

Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme

en

N 446/2006 11.08.2006

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.

8

Country Title/ Links to documents* Case

number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Germany Aid to CSG Solar

OJ C 232 of 27.09.2006, p. 2 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 335/2006 Regional development aid

19.07.2006

Hungary Aid to Hankook - MSF 2002

OJ C 232 of 27.09.2006, p. 2 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 34/2006 Regional development aid

22.06.2006

Poland Restructuring Aid - Energetyka Wislosan

OJ C 232 of 27.09.2006, p. 3 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 47/2006 Restructuring aid

19.07.2006

United Kingdom

Dispersed oil in produced water trading scheme

OJ C 232 of 27.09.2006, p. 2 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

N 47/2006 Environmental aid

19.07.2006

33..22.. DDeecciissiioonnss ttoo cclloossee ffoorrmmaall iinnvveessttiiggaattiioonn Country Title/ Links to documents Case number Objective Decision

date DG Competition cases Italy Fincantieri - Extention of three-year

delivery limit for four cruise vessels

OJ L 268 of 27.09.2006, p. 12 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

C 32/2004 (ex N 347/2003)

23.11.2005

Italy Tax incentives in favour of certain regulated investment funds

OJ L 268 of 27.09.2006, p. 1 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

C 19/2004 (ex NN 163/2003 and CP 138/2003)

Risk capital aid 06.09.2005

Slovenia The Reduction of Burdening of the Environment with Emissions of Carbon Dioxide

OJ L 268 of 27.09.2006, p. 19 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

C 47/2004 (ex SI 1/03)

Environmental aid

23.11.2005

Slovenia The Reduction of Burdening of the Environment with Emissions of Carbon Dioxide

OJ L 268 of 27.09.2006, p. 19 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

C 44/2004 (ex N 402/2004)

Environmental aid

23.11.2005

United Kingdom

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

OJ L 268 of 27.09.2006, p. 37 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

C 39/2004 (ex N 613/2003)

04.04.2006

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DG Agriculture cases Italy Interventions en faveur de

l'agrumiculture italienne - lutte contre la tristeza des agrumes

OJ L 268 of 27.09.2006, p. 25 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

C 26/2005 (ex N 580b/2003)

21.12.2005

Italy Interventions aux fins de l'amélioration des conditions de transformation et de commercialisation des produits agricoles (Veneto)

OJ L 268 of 27.09.2006, p. 29 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

C 17/2001 (ex N 98/2000)

Investment aid in processing and marketing

08.03.2006

VV.. OOtthheerr ttyyppeess ooff ddeecciissiioonnss

Country Title Case number Objective Decision date

DG Competition cases

Poland Restructuring aid for Chemobudowa Krakow Closure of procedure following withdrawal of notification

C 49/2005 Restructuring aid

26.09.2006

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

Country Title/Links to documents* Case

number Objective

Belgium P&O PORTS ANTWERP

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 16 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 25/2006 Training aid

Belgium VAN HOOL

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 15 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 24/2006 Training aid

France Investissement des PME - Objectif 2 Ile-de-France 2000-2006

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 6 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 99/2004 SME aid

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Germany Richtlinie des Ministeriums für Wirtschaft zur Förderung von Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvorhaben von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen im Land Brandenburg

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 11 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 81/2006 SME aid

Germany Technologie- und Innovationsprogramm NRW (TIP)

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 10 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 80/2006 SME aid

Germany IHK Projektgesellschaft mbH

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 13 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 13/2006 Training aid

Germany INNOPUNKT 14 "Allianzen zwischen Kultur und Wirtschaft fördern Wachstum und Beschäftigung in Brandenburg"

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 10 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 5/2006 Training aid

Germany INNOPUNKT 12 "Zukunftschancen durch clusterorientierte regionale Verzahnungsprozesse"

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 4/2006 Training aid

Germany INNOPUNKT 13 " Perspektiven für qualifizierte junge Frauen im Land Brandenburg"

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 3/2006 Training aid

Hungary Equal Közösségi Kezdeményezés

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 21/2006 Training aid

Hungary Training aid Hungary

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 17 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 16/2006 Training aid

Italy Regime di aiuti alle piccole imprese operanti nei settori dell'artigianato, del commercio, dei servizi e del turismo

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 60/2006 SME aid

Italy Programma pluriennale di interventi diretti a favorire la ripresa produttiva del Molise a seguito degli eventi calamitosi (Molise)

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 18 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 23/2006 Training aid

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Poland Program pomocy udzielanej przedsiębiorcom na terenie miasta Nowa Ruda w ramach wyłączeń grupowych - inwestycje

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 8 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 37/2006 SME aid

Poland Warta Tourist Sp. Z.o.o.

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 7 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 36/2006 SME aid

Poland Program Pomocy Horyzontalnej Udzielanej Dla Małych I Średnich Przedsiębiorców Inwestujących Na Terenie Gminy Miasto Łowicz

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 6 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 6/2006 SME aid

United Kingdom Environmental Solutions NI

OJ C 228 of 22.09.2006, p. 9 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XS 61/2006 SME aid

United Kingdom Accelerate - Support for West Midlands Automotive Cluster

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 14 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 22/2006 Training aid

United Kingdom Richard Edward Limited (Lean Learning Academy)

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 14 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 19/2006 Training aid

United Kingdom Kessler Limited

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 12 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 12/2006 Training aid

United Kingdom Energy Tech Limited

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 12 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 11/2006 Training aid

United Kingdom Support for SMEs for training

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 11 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 10/2006 Training aid

United Kingdom Company Development Programme

OJ C 233 of 28.09.2006, p. 19 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

XT 56/2004 Training 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..

12

11.. CCoouurrtt ooff FFiirrsstt IInnssttaannccee Court case Title Country Type of act Date Related case

T-117/04 Werkgroep Commerciële Jachthavens Zuidelijke Randmeren and Others v. Commission

Netherlands Judgement 27.09.2006 C 10/2003 (ex NN 135/2002, CP 30/2001)

OJ L 34 of 06.02.2004, p. 63 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

22.. CCoouurrtt ooff JJuussttiiccee

- none -

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

- none –

IIXX.. AAddddiittiioonnaall ppooiinnttss ooff iinntteerreesstt European Parliament resolution on the Commission White Paper on services of general interest Text adopted at the sitting of 27th September 2006 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,

13

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 MMiisscceellllaanneeaa Commission confirms Bulgaria’s and Romania’s EU accession on 1 January 2007, completed by a rigorous package of accompanying measures The European Commission adopted its final monitoring report on the preparedness of Bulgaria and Romania for EU membership. Based on the solid progress achieved, the Commission considers that both countries will be in a position to take on the rights and obligations of EU membership on 1 January 2007. To address the limited number of areas where further work will be necessary, the Commission proposes a package of rigorous accompanying measures. Read more

To read the Monitoring Report, click here

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission: Presentation of Bulgaria & Romania accession report - speech

Accompanying measures in the context of Bulgaria’s and Romania’s accession

Key findings of the monitoring report on Bulgaria’s preparedness for EU accession

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Key findings of the monitoring report on Romania’s preparedness for EU accession Renewable energy: Commission proposes to extend energy crop aid scheme to all Member States The European Commission proposed to extend the energy crop premium introduced by the 2003 Common Agricultural Policy reform to the eight Member States which currently do not benefit from it. This would involve increasing the maximum area which can benefit from the aid to 2 million hectares from 1.5 million at present. In a further push to encourage the production of feedstocks for renewable energy production, the Commission also proposed allowing the Member States to grant national aid of up to 50 percent of the costs of establishing multiannual crops on areas on which an application for the energy crop aid has been made. In the interests of simplifying the management of the CAP, the Commission has also proposed to allow eight Member States which joined the EU in 2004 to continue operating the Single Area Payment Scheme for a further two years until 2010. The countries affected are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Read more Ombudsman: EU subsidies and lobbying should be transparent Read more Regulation (EC) No 1367/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on the application of the provisions of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters to Community institutions and bodies OJ L 264 of 25.09.2006, p. 13 es cs da de et el en fr it lv lt hu nl pl pt sk sl fi sv

Next publication date: 06.10.2006 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

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