COM(2008)368 - Report on Competition Policy 2007

official title

 

Legal instrument	Report
reference by COM-number286	COM(2008)368
Additional COM-numbers	SEC(2008)2038
CELEX number289	52008DC0368

This page is also available in a full version containing the latest state of affairs, the summary of the European Parliament Legislative Observatory, the legal context, other dossiers related to the dossier at hand, the stakeholders involved (e.g. European Commission directorates-general, European Parliament committees, Council configurations and even individual EU Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament) and finally documents of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

• 1. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en
  
   
• 2. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 3. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 4. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 5. 

  Case COMP/38.899, Gas Insulated Switchgear, Commission Decision 24.1.2007; Case COMP/38.823, Elevators and Escalators, Commission Decision 21.2.2007; Case COMP/37.766, Netherlands Beer, Commission decision 18.4.2007; Case COMP/39.168, Hard Haberdashery:Fasteners, Commission Decision 19.9.2007; Case COMP/38.710, Bitumen Spain, Commission Decision 3.10.2007; Case COMP/38.432, Professional Videotapes, Commission Decision 20.11.2007; Case COMP/39.165, Flat Glass, Commission Decision 28.11.2007; Case COMP/38.629, Chloroprene Rubber, Commission Decision 5.12.2007.
  
   
• 6. 

  This figure does not include the companies that received immunity from fines for cooperating under the Leniency Notice.
  
   
• 7. 

  This figure includes two undertakings where Decisions have been readopted.
  
   
• 8. 

  Imposed on the ThyssenKrupp group.
  
   
• 9. 

  See Press Release IP/07/956, 28.6.2007.
  
   
• 10. 

  See Press Release IP/07/400, 23.3.2007.
  
   
• 11. 

  See IP/07/1858, 5.12.2007 and IP/08/164, 31.1.2008.
  
   
• 12. 

  Commission Consolidated Jurisdictional Notice under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings. Currently, the Jurisdictional Notice can be found in English, French and German on DG
   
• 13. 

  These are (i) the Notice on the concept of concentration (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p. 5); (ii) the Notice on the concept of full-function joint ventures (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p. 1); (iii) the Notice on the concept of undertakings concerned (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p. 14); and (iv) the Notice on calculation of turnover (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p. 25).
  
   
• 14. 

  Not yet published in the OJ.
  
   
• 15. 

  OJ C 210, 8.9.2007, pp.
   
• 16. 

  Of the 777 notifications, 53% mainly concerned the manufacturing and service sectors, 33% agriculture, 8% transport and 6% fisheries.
  
   
• 17. 

  In the area of agriculture alone, the number of block-exempted measures increased from 119 in 2006 to 496 in 2007. Member States also submitted around 200 measures under the recently introduced block exemption for regional aid.
  
   
• 18. 

  Included in this figure are: Decisions on the absence of State aid, Decisions not to raise objections, positive Decisions, conditional Decisions and negative Decisions.
  
   
• 19. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid An online Scoreboard contains electronic versions of all Scoreboards, as well as a set of key indicators and a wide array of statistical tables.
  
   
• 20. 

  COM(2007) 791 final, 13.12.2007, State Aid Scoreboard, autumn 2007 update.
  
   
• 21. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid
  
   
• 22. 

  These included the establishment of two chemical production plants (Cases N 898/2006, Repsol Polimeros ; N 899/2006, Artensa .); three separate investment projects in the pulp and paper sector in Portugal (Cases N 900/2006, CELBI ; N 838/2006, Soporcel; N 564/2006, About the future ); the extension of an electricity generation plant in Hungary (Case N 907/2006, Mátrai
   
• 23. 

  OJ C 323, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
  
   
• 24. 

  Two of the projects concerned
   
• 25. 

  OJ C 194, 18.8.2006, pp.
   
• 26. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (OJ L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 20).
  
   
• 27. 

  Case C 14/2006, Training aid to General Motors Antwerp (OJ L 243, 18.9.2007, p. 71).
  
   
• 28. 

  Case N 541/2006, Fiat Auto S.p.A. (OJ C 220, 20.9.2007, p. 2).
  
   
• 29. 

  Case N 206/2007, Training aid for Club Med Guadeloupe (OJ C 284, 27.11.2007, p. 5).
  
   
• 30. 

  Case C 18/2007, Training aid for DHL Leipzig (OJ C 213, 12.9.2007, p. 28).
  
   
• 31. 

  OJ C 311/2007, 21.12.2007, p. 21.
  
   
• 32. 

  See Ottana (Case C 11/2007, Aiuto alla ristrutturazione di Ottana Energia Srl (OJ C 122, 2.6.2007, p. 22)); Ixfin (Case C 59/2007, Aiuto al salvataggio alla Ixfin SpA (Decision of 11.12.2007, not yet published)) and New Interline (Case C 13/2007, Aiuto al salvataggio della New Interline SpA (OJ C 120, 31.5.2007, p. 12)).
  
   
• 33. 

  See e.g. Javor Pivka (Case C 19/2006, Restructuring aid for Javor Pivka, Commission Decision of 10.7.2007 (not yet published)) and Novoles Straza (Case C 20/2006, Restructuring aid to Novoles Straza Commission Decision of 10.7.2007 (not yet published)) (both approved under the 1999 rescue
   
• 34. 

  See e.g. Nuova Mineraria Silius (Case C 16/2006, Restructuring aid to Nuova Mineraria Silius (OJ L 185, 17.7.2007, p. 18)) and Biria (Case C 38/2005, Biria Gruppe (OJ L 183, 13.7.2007, p. 27)).
  
   
• 35. 

  See e.g. Legler (Case C 39/2007, Aiuto di stato per la ristrutturazione del gruppo Legler (OJ C 289, 1.12.2007, p. 22)), FagorBrandt (Case C 44/2007, Restructuring aid to FagorBrandt (OJ C 275, 16.11.2007, p. 18)) or Fluorite di Silus (Case C 60/2007, Aid to Fluorite di Silius S.p.A , Commission Decision of 11.12.2007 (not yet published)).
  
   
• 36. 

  Towards an effective implementation of Commission Decisions ordering Member States to recovery unlawful and incompatible State aid (OJ C 272, 15.11.2007).
  
   
• 37. 

  The
   
• 38. 

  Communication from the Commission to the European Council: Strategic report on the renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs: launching the new cycle
   
• 39. 

  Proposal for a Community Lisbon Programme
   
• 40. 

  See the Commission Recommendation of 11 December for a Council Recommendation on the 2008 update of the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Community (COM(2007) 803 final).
  
   
• 41. 

  See the previously mentioned Objective 5 as well as Objective 8 concerning energy and climate change. See also the annex listing the EC-level measures concerning these objectives.
  
   
• 42. 

  See section 3.4 of the Strategic Report mentioned above.
  
   
• 43. 

  Communication from the Commission: Inquiry pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 into the European gas and electricity sectors (Final Report), COM(2006) 851 final, and DG Competition report on energy sector inquiry, SEC(2006) 1724.
  
   
• 44. 

  This package includes the following proposals: proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2003/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity, COM(2007) 528; proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2003/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas, COM(2007) 529; proposal for a Regulation establishing an Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, COM(2007) 530; proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1228/2003 (electricity), COM(2007) 531; proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 (gas), COM(2007) 532.
  
   
• 45. 

  A dedicated subgroup for energy has been set up as part of the cooperation within the European Competition Network (ECN). During 2007 this subgroup addressed national experiences in relation to competition case remedies.
  
   
• 46. 

  The balancing system serves to ensure that injections and withdrawals on the network are identical, in order to keep the system in equilibrium.
  
   
• 47. 

  Decision of 20 November in State aid case C36/A/2006, not yet published in OJ, but available on the Internet site ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/register/
  
   
• 48. 

  Concerning France, see Decision of 13.6.2007 in State aid case C17/2007, OJ C 164 of 18.7.2007, p. 9 and concerning Spain, see Decision of 24.1.2007 in State aid case C3/2007, OJ C 43, 27.2.2007, p. 9.
  
   
• 49. 

  IP/07/114, 31.1.2007 and MEMO/07/40, 31.1.2007.
  
   
• 50. 

  Case COMP/37.860.
  
   
• 51. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/cases
  
   
• 52. 

  IP/07/1959, 19.12.2007 and MEMO/07/590, 19.12.2007.
  
   
• 53. 

  IP/07/1390, 25.9.2007.
  
   
• 54. 

  OJ C 4, 9.1.2008, p. 1. This test assesses whether, in similar circumstances, a private investor operating in normal conditions of a market economy would have entered into the transaction in question (e.g. providing loans or funds to the bank) and whether it would have done so on similar terms.
  
   
• 55. 

  IP/07/1859, 5.12.2007.
  
   
• 56. 

  IP/07/154, 7.2.2007.
  
   
• 57. 

  IP/07/375, 21.3.2007.
  
   
• 58. 

  Case COMP/M.4843, RBS/ABN AMRO assets, Commission Decision, 19.9.2007; Case COMP/M.4845, Santander/ABN AMRO assets, Commission Decision, 19.9.2007 and Case COMP/M.4844, Fortis/ABN AMRO assets, Commission Decision, 3.10.2007.
  
   
• 59. 

  Commission Recommendation of 17.12.2007 on relevant product and service markets within the electronic communications sector, OJ L 344, 28.12.2007, p. 65. The Recommendation on relevant markets is an important part of the Regulatory Framework. It lists those markets where in the view of the Commission ex ante regulation is the appropriate tool to promote competition, investment and consumer choice. From a competition policy perspective the main objective of the review has been to assess where ex ante regulation is still needed and where it can be lifted.
  
   
• 60. 

  Commission Recommendation C(2003) 497 of 11.2.2003, OJ L 114 of 8.5.2003, p. 45.
  
   
• 61. 

  Directive 2002/21/EC of 7.3.2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 33.
  
   
• 62. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 63. 

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, 2002/19/EC on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and services, and 2002/20/EC on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services (COM(2007) 697), Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and
   
• 64. 

  Regulation (EC) No 717/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27/6/2007on roaming on public mobile telephone networks (OJ L 171, 29.6.2007, p. 32).
  
   
• 65. 

  At EUR 0.49 excl. VAT for calls made and EUR 0.24 excl. VAT for calls received; these price caps will be further reduced in 2008 and 2009.
  
   
• 66. 

  Cases N 475/2007, National Broadband Scheme Ireland , Commission Decision of 25.9.2007; N 473/2007, Broadband connections for Alto Adige , Commission Decision of 11.10.2007; N 570/2007, Broadband in rural areas of Baden-Württemberg , Commission Decision of 23.10.2007; N 442/2007, Aid in favour of broadband in remote areas of Veneto , Commission Decision of 23.10.2007.
  
   
• 67. 

  Cases N 746/2006, North Yorkshire NYNET Project United Kingdom , Commission Decision of 21.2.2007; N 890/2006, Aide du Sicoval pour un réseau de très haut debit , Commission Decision of 10.7.2007.
  
   
• 68. 

  Case NN 24/2007, Prague Municipal Wireless Network , Commission Decision of 30.5.2007.
  
   
• 69. 

  Case COMP/M.4662, Syniverse/BSG , Commission Decision of 4.12.2007.
  
   
• 70. 

  Commission Decision of 24 May 2004 relating to a proceeding pursuant to Article 82 of the EC Treaty and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement against Microsoft Corporation, Case COMP/37.792, Microsoft (OJ L 32, 6.2.2007, p. 23).
  
   
• 71. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/cases
  
   
• 72. 

  -->
   
• 73. 

  -->
   
• 74. 

  DRAMS are the
   
• 75. 

  See -->
   
• 76. 

  See ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/cases
  
   
• 77. 

  Case C 47/2006, Crédit
   
• 78. 

  This provision states that
   
• 79. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 80. 

  The second stage of the infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC.
  
   
• 81. 

  IP/07/1114, 18.7.2007.
  
   
• 82. 

  Notably, Commission Directive 2002/77/EC of 16 September 2002 on competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services (OJ L 249, 17.9.2002, p. 21).
  
   
• 83. 

  Cases N 270/2006 Subsidy to digital decoders with open API (OJ C 80, 13.4.2007) and N 107/2007 Subsidies to idTV
   
• 84. 

  Case N 103/2007, Support for the acquisition of digital decoders and for the adaptation of antennas in Soria , Commission decision of 25.9.2007 (OJ C 262, 1.11.2007).
  
   
• 85. 

  Open API is a term used to describe advanced program interfaces (API) that facilitate interoperability, i.e. portability of interactive content between delivery mechanisms with full functionality of the content intact.
  
   
• 86. 

  Case C 52/2005 (ex NN 88/2005), Subsidy to digital decoders in Italy (OJ L 147 8.6.2007).
  
   
• 87. 

  Case C 34/2006 (ex N 29/2005), Introduction of digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) in North Rhine-Westphalia , Commission decision of 23.10.2007, not yet published.
  
   
• 88. 

  Under the conditions set out in the Altmark judgment: Case C-280/00 (Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesverwaltungsgericht): Altmark Trans GmbH, Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg v Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Altmark GmbH
   
• 89. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 90. 

  Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting (OJ C 320, 15.11.2001, p. 5).
  
   
• 91. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 92. 

  The full text of the Decision is published in English: ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/register
  
   
• 93. 

  The full text of the Decision is published in English:ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/register
  
   
• 94. 

  Case COMP/M.4504, SFR/Tele2 , Commission Decision, 18.7.2007.
  
   
• 95. 

  Case COMP/M.3333, Sony/BMG-II , Commission Decision, 3.10.2007.
  
   
• 96. 

  Latest car price report published on 27 July 2007:ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/sectors
  
   
• 97. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1400/2002 of 31 July 2002 on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices in the motor vehicle sector (OJ L 203/30, 1.8.2002).
  
   
• 98. 

  See e.g. Commission Decision of 13.9.2007 relating to a proceeding pursuant to Article 81 of the EC Treaty (Case COMP/39.140, DaimlerChrysler ) (OJ L 317, 5.12.2007, p. 76).
  
   
• 99. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en
  
   
• 100. 

  Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information (OJ L 171, 29.6.2007, p. 1).
  
   
• 101. 

  Case COMP/M.4878, Continental/Siemens VDO , Commission Decision, 29.11.2007.
  
   
• 102. 

  See 1.4.2. above.
  
   
• 103. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 104. 

  Case C 46/2007, Privatisation of Automobile Craoiva, Romania (OJ C 248, 23.10.2007, p. 25).
  
   
• 105. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 3118/93 of 25 October 1993 laying down the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate national road haulage services within a Member State, OJ L 279, 12.11.1993, pp.
   
• 106. 

  Commission Decision N 649/06, OJ C 139, 23.6.2007, p. 13.
  
   
• 107. 

  Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on public passenger transport services by rail and by road and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 1191/69 and 1107/70, OJ L 315, 3.12.2007, p. 1.
  
   
• 108. 

  See the Commission Report on the implementation of the 1st railway package (COM(2006) 189 final of 3 May 2006). See the Commission Recommendation of 11 December for a Council Recommendation on the 2008 update of the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Community (COM(2007) 803 final). See in particular the Recommendation in respect of France and Germany.
  
   
• 109. 

  Directive 2007/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 amending Council Directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the
   
• 110. 

  ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/state_aid
  
   
• 111. 

  N 93/06, OJ C 300, 12.12.2007, p. 22.
  
   
• 112. 

  OJ C 215 , 14.9.2007, p. 3; see also Press release IP/07/1325, 13.9.2007.
  
   
• 113. 

  IP 07/1558, 19.10.2007.
  
   
• 114. 

  MEMO/06/243, 19.6.2006.
  
   
• 115. 

  C 10/06, not yet reported.
  
   
• 116. 

  C 61/07, not yet reported.
  
   
• 117. 

  OJ L 134, 25.5.2007, p. 4.
  
   
• 118. 

  On 18 October 2006, the Commission put forward a proposal to open up EU postal markets fully to competition by 2009, in line with the indicative target date set out in the current Postal Directive.
  
   
• 119. 

  Case C-280/00, Altmark Trans GmbH
   
• 120. 

  Under Article 86(2), undertakings entrusted with a SGEI can avoid application of the rules on competition if the application of these rules obstructs the performance, in law or in fact, of the particular tasks assigned to them.
  
   
• 121. 

  Community Framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation (OJ C 297, 29.11.2005, p. 4)
  
   
• 122. 

  Case N 822/2006, Debt payment funding to Post Office Limited (OJ C 80, 13.4.2007, p. 5).
  
   
• 123. 

  Case N 388/2007, Post Office Ltd: Transformation. The Decision is available on DG
   
• 124. 

  Case C 36/2007, Complaint against the German State for unlawful State aid to Deutsche Post (OJ C 245, 19.10.2007 p. 21). This aid was in addition to the aid already found to be incompatible in the Commission Decision of 19 June 2002 on measures implemented by Germany for Deutsche Post AG (OJ L 247, 14.9.2002, p. 27).
  
   
• 125. 

  Case E12/2005, Unlimited State guarantee in favour of Poczta Polska (OJ C 284, 27.11.2007).
  
   
• 126. 

  Case C 56/2007 (ex E15/2005), Garantie illimitée de
   
• 127. 

  Case C 43/2006, Projet de réforme du financement des retraites des fonctionnaires de La Poste française. The Decision is available on DG
   
• 128. 

  Case C-198/01, Consorzio Industrie Fiammiferi (CIF) and Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato
   
• 129. 

  The ECN Model Programme is available at ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/ecn/index_en together with a list of frequently asked questions (MEMO/06/356).
  
   
• 130. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 131. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 132. 

  Approximately 45% concerned application of Article 81 EC, 31.5% concerned application of Article 82 EC and 23.5% concerned application of both Articles 81 and 82 EC.
  
   
• 133. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 134. 

  This figure does not include the companies that received immunity from fines for cooperating under the Leniency Notice.
  
   
• 135. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en
  
   
• 136. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 137. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/elojade/antitrust
  
   
• 138. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 139. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 140. 

  Decision of the European Parliament and the Council No. 1149/2007/EC of 25 September 2007, establishing for the period 2007-2013 the specific programme
   
• 141. 

  The budget foreseen for these action grants in 2007 is EUR 800 000.
  
   
• 142. 

  Framework Agreement of 26 May 2005 on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission; Protocol of Cooperation between the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee of 7 November 2005; Protocol on the Cooperation Arrangements between the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions of 17 November 2005.
  
   
• 143. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 144. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 145. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 146. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 147. 

  Case COMP/38.899, Gas Insulated Switchgear, Commission Decision 24.1.2007; Case COMP/38.823, Elevators and Escalators, Commission Decision 21.2.2007; Case COMP/37.766, Netherlands Beer, Commission decision 18.4.2007; Case COMP/39.168, Hard Haberdashery:Fasteners, Commission Decision 19.9.2007; Case COMP/38.710, Bitumen Spain, Commission Decision 3.10.2007; Case COMP/38.432, Professional Videotapes, Commission Decision 20.11.2007; Case COMP/39.165, Flat Glass, Commission Decision 28.11.2007; Case COMP/38.629, Chloroprene Rubber, Commission Decision 5.12.2007.
  
   
• 148. 

  This figure does not include the companies that received immunity from fines for cooperating under the Leniency Notice.
  
   
• 149. 

  This figure includes two undertakings where Decisions have been readopted.
  
   
• 150. 

  Imposed on the ThyssenKrupp group.
  
   
• 151. 

  See Press Release IP/07/956, 28.6.2007.
  
   
• 152. 

  See Press Release IP/07/400, 23.3.2007.
  
   
• 153. 

  See IP/07/1858, 5.12.2007 and IP/08/164, 31.1.2008.
  
   
• 154. 

  Commission Consolidated Jurisdictional Notice under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings. Currently, the Jurisdictional Notice can be found in English, French and German on DG
   
• 155. 

  These are (i) the Notice on the concept of concentration (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p.
  
  5); (ii) the Notice on the concept of full-function joint ventures (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p.
  
  1); (iii) the Notice on the concept of undertakings concerned (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p. 14); and (iv) the Notice on calculation of turnover (OJ C 66, 2.3.1998, p. 25).
  
   
• 156. 

  Not yet published in the OJ.
  
   
• 157. 

  OJ C 210, 8.9.2007, pp.
   
• 158. 

  Of the 777 notifications, 53% mainly concerned the manufacturing and service sectors, 33% agriculture, 8% transport and 6% fisheries.
  
   
• 159. 

  In the area of agriculture alone, the number of block-exempted measures increased from 119 in 2006 to 496 in 2007. Member States also submitted around 200 measures under the recently introduced block exemption for regional aid.
  
   
• 160. 

  Included in this figure are: Decisions on the absence of State aid, Decisions not to raise objections, positive Decisions, conditional Decisions and negative Decisions.
  
   
• 161. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid An online Scoreboard contains electronic versions of all Scoreboards, as well as a set of key indicators and a wide array of statistical tables.
  
   
• 162. 

  COM(2007) 791 final, 13.12.2007, State Aid Scoreboard, autumn 2007 update.
  
   
• 163. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid
  
   
• 164. 

  These included the establishment of two chemical production plants (Cases N 898/2006, Repsol Polimeros ; N 899/2006, Artensa .); three separate investment projects in the pulp and paper sector in Portugal (Cases N 900/2006, CELBI ; N 838/2006, Soporcel; N 564/2006, About the future ); the extension of an electricity generation plant in Hungary (Case N 907/2006, Mátrai ErQ
   
• 165. 

  OJ C 323, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
  
   
• 166. 

  Two of the projects concerned
   
• 167. 

  OJ C 194, 18.8.2006, pp.
   
• 168. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (OJ L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 20).
  
   
• 169. 

  Case C 14/2006, Training aid to General Motors Antwerp (OJ L 243, 18.9.2007, p. 71).
  
   
• 170. 

  Case N 541/2006, Fiat Auto S.p.A. (OJ C 220, 20.9.2007, p.
  
  2).
  
   
• 171. 

  Case N 206/2007, Training aid for Club Med Guadeloupe (OJ C 284, 27.11.2007, p.
  
  5).
  
   
• 172. 

  Case C 18/2007, Training aid for DHL Leipzig (OJ C 213, 12.9.2007, p. 28).
  
   
• 173. 

  OJ C 311/2007, 21.12.2007, p. 21.
  
   
• 174. 

  See Ottana (Case C 11/2007, Aiuto alla ristrutturazione di Ottana Energia Srl (OJ C 122, 2.6.2007, p. 22)); Ixfin (Case C 59/2007, Aiuto al salvataggio alla Ixfin SpA (Decision of 11.12.2007, not yet published)) and New Interline (Case C 13/2007, Aiuto al salvataggio della New Interline SpA (OJ C 120, 31.5.2007, p. 12)).
  
   
• 175. 

  See e.g. Javor Pivka (Case C 19/2006, Restructuring aid for Javor Pivka, Commission Decision of 10.7.2007 (not yet published)) and Novoles Straza (Case C 20/2006, Restructuring aid to Novoles Straza Commission Decision of 10.7.2007 (not yet published)) (both approved under the 1999 rescue
   
• 176. 

  See e.g. Nuova Mineraria Silius (Case C 16/2006, Restructuring aid to Nuova Mineraria Silius (OJ L 185, 17.7.2007, p. 18)) and Biria (Case C 38/2005, Biria Gruppe (OJ L 183, 13.7.2007, p. 27)).
  
   
• 177. 

  See e.g. Legler (Case C 39/2007, Aiuto di stato per la ristrutturazione del gruppo Legler (OJ C 289, 1.12.2007, p. 22)), FagorBrandt (Case C 44/2007, Restructuring aid to FagorBrandt (OJ C 275, 16.11.2007, p. 18)) or Fluorite di Silus (Case C 60/2007, Aid to Fluorite di Silius S.p.A , Commission Decision of 11.12.2007 (not yet published)).
  
   
• 178. 

  Towards an effective implementation of Commission Decisions ordering Member States to recovery unlawful and incompatible State aid (OJ C 272, 15.11.2007).
  
   
• 179. 

  The
   
• 180. 

  Communication from the Commission to the European Council: Strategic report on the renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs: launching the new cycle
   
• 181. 

  Proposal for a Community Lisbon Programme
   
• 182. 

  See the Commission Recommendation of 11 December for a Council Recommendation on the 2008 update of the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Community (COM(2007) 803 final).
  
   
• 183. 

  See the previously mentioned Objective 5 as well as Objective 8 concerning energy and climate change. See also the annex listing the EC-level measures concerning these objectives.
  
   
• 184. 

  See section 3.4 of the Strategic Report mentioned above.
  
   
• 185. 

  Communication from the Commission: Inquiry pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 into the European gas and electricity sectors (Final Report), COM(2006) 851 final, and DG Competition report on energy sector inquiry, SEC(2006) 1724.
  
   
• 186. 

  This package includes the following proposals: proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2003/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity, COM(2007) 528; proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2003/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas, COM(2007) 529; proposal for a Regulation establishing an Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, COM(2007) 530; proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1228/2003 (electricity), COM(2007) 531; proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 (gas), COM(2007) 532.
  
   
• 187. 

  A dedicated subgroup for energy has been set up as part of the cooperation within the European Competition Network (ECN). During 2007 this subgroup addressed national experiences in relation to competition case remedies.
  
   
• 188. 

  The balancing system serves to ensure that injections and withdrawals on the network are identical, in order to keep the system in equilibrium.
  
   
• 189. 

  Decision of 20 November in State aid case C36/A/2006, not yet published in OJ, but available on the Internet site ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/register/
  
   
• 190. 

  Concerning France, see Decision of 13.6.2007 in State aid case C17/2007, OJ C 164 of 18.7.2007, p. 9 and concerning Spain, see Decision of 24.1.2007 in State aid case C3/2007, OJ C 43, 27.2.2007, p. 9.
  
   
• 191. 

  IP/07/114, 31.1.2007 and MEMO/07/40, 31.1.2007.
  
   
• 192. 

  Case COMP/37.860.
  
   
• 193. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/cases
  
   
• 194. 

  IP/07/1959, 19.12.2007 and MEMO/07/590, 19.12.2007.
  
   
• 195. 

  IP/07/1390, 25.9.2007.
  
   
• 196. 

  OJ C 4, 9.1.2008, p. 1. This test assesses whether, in similar circumstances, a private investor operating in normal conditions of a market economy would have entered into the transaction in question (e.g. providing loans or funds to the bank) and whether it would have done so on similar terms.
  
   
• 197. 

  IP/07/1859, 5.12.2007.
  
   
• 198. 

  IP/07/154, 7.2.2007.
  
   
• 199. 

  IP/07/375, 21.3.2007.
  
   
• 200. 

  Case COMP/M.4843, RBS/ABN AMRO assets, Commission Decision, 19.9.2007; Case COMP/M.4845, Santander/ABN AMRO assets, Commission Decision, 19.9.2007 and Case COMP/M.4844, Fortis/ABN AMRO assets, Commission Decision, 3.10.2007.
  
   
• 201. 

  Commission Recommendation of 17.12.2007 on relevant product and service markets within the electronic communications sector, OJ L 344, 28.12.2007, p. 65. The Recommendation on relevant markets is an important part of the Regulatory Framework. It lists those markets where in the view of the Commission ex ante regulation is the appropriate tool to promote competition, investment and consumer choice. From a competition policy perspective the main objective of the review has been to assess where ex ante regulation is still needed and where it can be lifted.
  
   
• 202. 

  Commission Recommendation C(2003) 497 of 11.2.2003, OJ L 114 of 8.5.2003, p. 45.
  
   
• 203. 

  Directive 2002/21/EC of 7.3.2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 33.
  
   
• 204. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 205. 

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 2002/21/EC on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, 2002/19/EC on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and services, and 2002/20/EC on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services (COM(2007) 697), Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and
   
• 206. 

  Regulation (EC) No 717/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27/6/2007on roaming on public mobile telephone networks (OJ L 171, 29.6.2007, p. 32).
  
   
• 207. 

  At EUR 0.49 excl. VAT for calls made and EUR 0.24 excl. VAT for calls received; these price caps will be further reduced in 2008 and 2009.
  
   
• 208. 

  Cases N 475/2007, National Broadband Scheme Ireland , Commission Decision of 25.9.2007; N 473/2007, Broadband connections for Alto Adige , Commission Decision of 11.10.2007; N 570/2007, Broadband in rural areas of Baden-Württemberg , Commission Decision of 23.10.2007; N 442/2007, Aid in favour of broadband in remote areas of Veneto , Commission Decision of 23.10.2007.
  
   
• 209. 

  Cases N 746/2006, North Yorkshire NYNET Project United Kingdom , Commission Decision of 21.2.2007; N 890/2006, Aide du Sicoval pour un réseau de très haut debit , Commission Decision of 10.7.2007.
  
   
• 210. 

  Case NN 24/2007, Prague Municipal Wireless Network , Commission Decision of 30.5.2007.
  
   
• 211. 

  Case COMP/M.4662, Syniverse/BSG , Commission Decision of 4.12.2007.
  
   
• 212. 

  Commission Decision of 24 May 2004 relating to a proceeding pursuant to Article 82 of the EC Treaty and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement against Microsoft Corporation, Case COMP/37.792, Microsoft (OJ L 32, 6.2.2007, p. 23).
  
   
• 213. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/cases
  
   
• 214. 

  -->
   
• 215. 

  -->
   
• 216. 

  DRAMS are the
   
• 217. 

  See -->
   
• 218. 

  See ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/cases
  
   
• 219. 

  Case C 47/2006, Crédit
   
• 220. 

  This provision states that
   
• 221. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 222. 

  The second stage of the infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC.
  
   
• 223. 

  IP/07/1114, 18.7.2007.
  
   
• 224. 

  Notably, Commission Directive 2002/77/EC of 16 September 2002 on competition in the markets for electronic communications networks and services (OJ L 249, 17.9.2002, p. 21).
  
   
• 225. 

  Cases N 270/2006 Subsidy to digital decoders with open API (OJ C 80, 13.4.2007) and N 107/2007 Subsidies to idTV
   
• 226. 

  Case N 103/2007, Support for the acquisition of digital decoders and for the adaptation of antennas in Soria , Commission decision of 25.9.2007 (OJ C 262, 1.11.2007).
  
   
• 227. 

  Open API is a term used to describe advanced program interfaces (API) that facilitate interoperability, i.e. portability of interactive content between delivery mechanisms with full functionality of the content intact.
  
   
• 228. 

  Case C 52/2005 (ex NN 88/2005), Subsidy to digital decoders in Italy (OJ L 147 8.6.2007).
  
   
• 229. 

  Case C 34/2006 (ex N 29/2005), Introduction of digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) in North Rhine-Westphalia , Commission decision of 23.10.2007, not yet published.
  
   
• 230. 

  Under the conditions set out in the Altmark judgment: Case C-280/00 (Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesverwaltungsgericht): Altmark Trans GmbH, Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg v Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Altmark GmbH
   
• 231. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 232. 

  Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting (OJ C 320, 15.11.2001, p.
  
  5).
  
   
• 233. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 234. 

  The full text of the Decision is published in English: ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/register
  
   
• 235. 

  The full text of the Decision is published in English:ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/state_aid/register
  
   
• 236. 

  Case COMP/M.4504, SFR/Tele2 , Commission Decision, 18.7.2007.
  
   
• 237. 

  Case COMP/M.3333, Sony/BMG-II , Commission Decision, 3.10.2007.
  
   
• 238. 

  Latest car price report published on 27 July 2007:ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/sectors
  
   
• 239. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1400/2002 of 31 July 2002 on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices in the motor vehicle sector (OJ L 203/30, 1.8.2002).
  
   
• 240. 

  See e.g. Commission Decision of 13.9.2007 relating to a proceeding pursuant to Article 81 of the EC Treaty (Case COMP/39.140, DaimlerChrysler ) (OJ L 317, 5.12.2007, p. 76).
  
   
• 241. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en
  
   
• 242. 

  Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information (OJ L 171, 29.6.2007, p.
  
  1).
  
   
• 243. 

  Case COMP/M.4878, Continental/Siemens VDO , Commission Decision, 29.11.2007.
  
   
• 244. 

  See 1.4.2. above.
  
   
• 245. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 246. 

  Case C 46/2007, Privatisation of Automobile Craoiva, Romania (OJ C 248, 23.10.2007, p. 25).
  
   
• 247. 

  Council Regulation (EEC) No 3118/93 of 25 October 1993 laying down the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate national road haulage services within a Member State, OJ L 279, 12.11.1993, pp.
   
• 248. 

  Commission Decision N 649/06, OJ C 139, 23.6.2007, p. 13.
  
   
• 249. 

  Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on public passenger transport services by rail and by road and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 1191/69 and 1107/70, OJ L 315, 3.12.2007, p. 1.
  
   
• 250. 

  See the Commission Report on the implementation of the 1st railway package (COM(2006) 189 final of 3 May 2006). See the Commission Recommendation of 11 December for a Council Recommendation on the 2008 update of the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Community (COM(2007) 803 final). See in particular the Recommendation in respect of France and Germany.
  
   
• 251. 

  Directive 2007/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 amending Council Directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the
   
• 252. 

  ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/state_aid
  
   
• 253. 

  N 93/06, OJ C 300, 12.12.2007, p. 22.
  
   
• 254. 

  OJ C 215 , 14.9.2007, p. 3; see also Press release IP/07/1325, 13.9.2007.
  
   
• 255. 

  IP 07/1558, 19.10.2007.
  
   
• 256. 

  MEMO/06/243, 19.6.2006.
  
   
• 257. 

  C 10/06, not yet reported.
  
   
• 258. 

  C 61/07, not yet reported.
  
   
• 259. 

  OJ L 134, 25.5.2007, p. 4.
  
   
• 260. 

  On 18 October 2006, the Commission put forward a proposal to open up EU postal markets fully to competition by 2009, in line with the indicative target date set out in the current Postal Directive.
  
   
• 261. 

  Case C-280/00, Altmark Trans GmbH
   
• 262. 

  Under Article 86(2), undertakings entrusted with a SGEI can avoid application of the rules on competition if the application of these rules obstructs the performance, in law or in fact, of the particular tasks assigned to them.
  
   
• 263. 

  Community Framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation (OJ C 297, 29.11.2005, p.
  
  4)
  
   
• 264. 

  Case N 822/2006, Debt payment funding to Post Office Limited (OJ C 80, 13.4.2007, p.
  
  5).
  
   
• 265. 

  Case N 388/2007, Post Office Ltd: Transformation. The Decision is available on DG
   
• 266. 

  Case C 36/2007, Complaint against the German State for unlawful State aid to Deutsche Post (OJ C 245, 19.10.2007 p. 21). This aid was in addition to the aid already found to be incompatible in the Commission Decision of 19 June 2002 on measures implemented by Germany for Deutsche Post AG (OJ L 247, 14.9.2002, p. 27).
  
   
• 267. 

  Case E12/2005, Unlimited State guarantee in favour of Poczta Polska (OJ C 284, 27.11.2007).
  
   
• 268. 

  Case C 56/2007 (ex E15/2005), Garantie illimitée de
   
• 269. 

  Case C 43/2006, Projet de réforme du financement des retraites des fonctionnaires de La Poste française. The Decision is available on DG
   
• 270. 

  Case C-198/01, Consorzio Industrie Fiammiferi (CIF) and Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato
   
• 271. 

  The ECN Model Programme is available at ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/ecn/index_en together with a list of frequently asked questions (MEMO/06/356).
  
   
• 272. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 273. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 274. 

  Approximately 45% concerned application of Article 81 EC, 31.5% concerned application of Article 82 EC and 23.5% concerned application of both Articles 81 and 82 EC.
  
   
• 275. 

  European Parliament Resolution of 25 April 2007 on the Green Paper on damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules (2006/2207 (INI)), available at:www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5378362
  
   
• 276. 

  This figure does not include the companies that received immunity from fines for cooperating under the Leniency Notice.
  
   
• 277. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/index_en
  
   
• 278. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 279. 

  ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/elojade/antitrust
  
   
• 280. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 281. 

  Where several applications for immunity have been received for the same alleged infringement, the first application is regarded as an immunity application and the subsequent ones as applications for a reduction of fines unless the first application is rejected.
  
   
• 282. 

  Decision of the European Parliament and the Council No. 1149/2007/EC of 25 September 2007, establishing for the period 2007-2013 the specific programme
   
• 283. 

  The budget foreseen for these action grants in 2007 is EUR 800 000.
  
   
• 284. 

  Framework Agreement of 26 May 2005 on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission; Protocol of Cooperation between the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee of 7 November 2005; Protocol on the Cooperation Arrangements between the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions of 17 November
   
• 285. 

  Commission Notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases, OJ C 298, 8.12.2006, p. 17.
  
   
• 286. 

  De Europese Commissie kent nummers toe aan officiële documenten van de Europese Unie. De Commissie maakt onderscheid in een aantal typen documenten door middel van het toekennen van verschillende nummerseries. Het onderscheid is gebaseerd op het soort document en/of de instelling van de Unie van wie het document afkomstig is.
   
• 287. 

  De Raad van de Europese Unie kent aan wetgevingsdossiers een uniek toe. Dit nummer bestaat uit een vijfcijferig volgnummer gevolgd door een schuine streep met de laatste twee cijfers van het jaartal, bijvoorbeeld 12345/00 - een document met nummer 12345 uit het jaar 2000.
   
• 288. 

  Het interinstitutionele nummer is een nummerreeks die binnen de Europese Unie toegekend wordt aan voorstellen voor regelgeving van de Europese Commissie.
  Binnen de Europese Unie worden nog een aantal andere nummerseries gebruikt. Iedere instelling heeft één of meerdere sets documenten met ieder een eigen nummering. Die reeksen komen niet overeen met elkaar of het interinstitutioneel nummer.
   
• 289. 

  Deze databank van de Europese Unie biedt de mogelijkheid de actuele werkzaamheden (workflow) van de Europese instellingen (Europees Parlement, Raad, ESC, Comité van de Regio's, Europese Centrale Bank, Hof van Justitie enz.) te volgen. EURlex volgt alle voorstellen (zoals wetgevende en begrotingsdossiers) en mededelingen van de Commissie, vanaf het moment dat ze aan de Raad of het Europees Parlement worden voorgelegd.
   
• 290. 

  Als dag van bekendmaking van een Europees besluit geldt de dag waarop het besluit in het Publicatieblad wordt bekendgemaakt, en daardoor in alle officiële talen van de Europese Unie bij het Publicatiebureau beschikbaar is.