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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 99-03-17

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>

MIDDAY EXPRESS

News from the Spokesman's midday briefing

Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb

17/03/99


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] Déclaration de la Commission
  • [02] Fight against fraud : Commission adopts modified proposal for an independent Fraud Office
  • [03] Commission closes proceedings on State aid against Heracles
  • [04] Commission approves shipbuilding aid scheme 1999-2003 in Spain
  • [05] Commission approves financial measures of takeover of Bremer Vulkan by Lürssen
  • [06] Commission enjoins Germany to provide information concerning BvS' sale of its 49% shares in Kali und Salz GmbH
  • [07] Commission opens State aid procedure and enjoins Italy to submit information on SEL

  • [01] Déclaration de la Commission

    "Nous avons démissionné et nous n'avons ni le désir ni l'intention de rester en fonction plus longtemps que nous le devons. Le Traité, cependant, requiert que nous restions en fonction jusqu'à ce qu'une nouvelle Commission soit en place. Nous demandons donc aux Etats membres de nommer une nouvelle Commission sans délai, conformément aux procédures du Traité. Selon le Traité, les pouvoirs de la Commission ne sont pas limités dans les circonstances actuelles. Nous avons, néanmoins, décidé d'exercer nos pouvoirs de manière restrictive, c'est-à-dire de traiter les affaires courantes et urgentes et de respecter nos obligations institutionnelles et légales. Mais nous ne prendrons pas d'initiatives politiques nouvelles."

    [02] Fight against fraud : Commission adopts modified proposal for an independent Fraud Office

    The European Commission has adopted an amended proposal for the creation of an independent Fraud Office within the Commission. The proposal will now be transmitted to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament before being finally adopted by the Commission. The Office will replace on basis of the proposal the present Task Force for Co-ordination of Fraud Prevention (UCLAF). The Office will exercise external investigations in the Member States and internal investigations in all the European Union (EU) institutions and bodies. The Office will enjoy the fullest possible independence vis-à-vis the Commission since the Director may neither seek nor take instructions concerning its investigations. A Surveillance Committee, made up of independent persons who are experts in fraud prevention work will assist the Office. The Office will decide on its own initiative to launch an internal investigation in an EU institution or body and to transmit case files to the national judicial authorities. In the case of external investigations, the Office will exercise the powers of investigations conferred on the Commission by existing EU fraud legislation. The decision will enter into force on 1 June 1999.

    [03] Commission closes proceedings on State aid against Heracles

    The European Commission has closed proceedings on State aid for Heracles General Cement Company, the largest manufacturer of cement in Greece. The decision relates to the conversion into capital of the company's debt amounting to euro 86.2 million (DR 27,755 million) carried out by the Greek Government in 1986. The Commission approves part of the aid granted to Heracles amounting to euro 78.5 million (DR 25,267 million) and considers the remaining part of euro 7.7 million (DR 2,488 million) incompatible with the common market. The incompatible part of the aid shall be recovered by the Greek Government and this sum shall bear interest from the date on which it was made available to Heracles until its actual recovery.

    [04] Commission approves shipbuilding aid scheme 1999-2003 in Spain

    The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to a shipbuilding aid scheme in Spain. The scheme provides for contract-related aid for shipbuilding and shipconversions in the form of direct grants to shipyards and ship financing arrangements for shipowners. It also offers the possibility for shipyards engaged in shipbuilding, shipconversions and shiprepair to receive aids for closure and restructuring, investment aids for innovation, regional investment aids, aids for research and development, and aids for environmental protection. Annual expenditure is expected to total around euro 171 million (Pt 28.4 billion). The scheme will cover the period 1999-2003. The Commission concluded that the scheme is compatible with Council Regulation 1540/98 on state aid to shipbuilding with effect from 1 January 1999.

    [05] Commission approves financial measures of takeover of Bremer Vulkan by Lürssen

    The European Commission has approved financial measures of the Federal State of Bremen in connection of the takeover of Bremer Vulkan Marineschiffbau GmbH (BVM) by Lürssen Maritime Beteiligung GmbH & Co.KG (LMB). These measures consist in euro 2.3 million (DM 4.6 million) contribution to the employment costs of 100 workers, in a waiver of a loan of euro 2.5 million (DM 5 million) granted to BVM by State owned Hanseatische Industrie Beteiligungen GmbH (HIBEG) and in investment aid of euro 450,000 (DM 900,000) for intended investments. The Commission considers that the financial measures taken and to be taken by Germany in favour of naval shipbuilding, are necessary for the protection of the essential interests of its security. The investment aid of euro 450,000 (DM 900,000) is compatible with the common market because based on the approved regional aid scheme "Gemeinschaftsaufgabe Verbesserung der regionalen Wirtschaftsstruktur" (GRW).

    [06] Commission enjoins Germany to provide information concerning BvS' sale of its 49% shares in Kali und Salz GmbH

    The European Commission has decided to initiate proceedings as regards the sale of the 49% share of Bundesanstalt für vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben (BvS) in Kali und Salz GmbH to Kali und Salz Beteiligungs AG (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany), both potassium and rock-salt producers, for a price of euro 127.8 million (DM 250 million). Given that no public offering for the 49% of the shares was made and that the Commission cannot establish if the best offer was accepted, the Commission cannot exclude the possibility that aid was involved in the selling of the shares. Since information so far provided by the German government does not refute the suspicion that the purchase price does not contain State aid. The German government has one month to provide all necessary information.

    [07] Commission opens State aid procedure and enjoins Italy to submit information on SEL

    The European Commission has decided to open the procedure pursuant to Article 93(2) EC Treaty regarding aid to the public company SEL S.p.A. and to enjoin the Italian government to provide information on its creation. SEL is owned by the Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano (Provincia), together with other local public authorities, and charged with the production and distribution of electricity in that area. The Commission estimates that some provisions of draft provincial law No. 14 of 10th October 1997, notified on 17th November 1997, may contain State aid. The Commission declared the notification incomplete and requested additional information, in particular regarding the field of activity and the financial plans of SEL, which the Italian authorities never provided.

    MIDDAY EXPRESS


    From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
    © ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996


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