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competition policy

number 2 volume 3 summer 1997 NEWSLETTER Published three times a year by the Competition Directorate-General of the European Commission

Contents LA CONFERENCE INTERGOUVERNEMENTALE ET LA

1 La conférence intergouvemementale et POLITIQUE COMMUNAUTAIRE DE CONCURRENCE la politique communautaire de concurrence, par Karel VAN MIERT Ce texte a été rédigé d'après un discours de. Karel VAN MIERT, Commissaire 6 State aid in the ECSC steel sector, by Alexander SCHAUB responsable de la Concurrence

Opinions and Comments J'ai eu de nombreuses occasions, le long politique de concurrence qui, tout en étant 9 Développements récents de la de ces derniers mois, de discuter sur respectueuse avec les objectifs nationaux jurisprudence en matière de distribution l'opportunité de modifier les Traités d'intérêt général, soit appliquée d'une sélective, par Paolo CESARINI communautaires en ce qui concerne les façon ferme et cohérente à tous les 14 La Commission a approuvé des propositions de règlements du Conseil règles de concurrence. En effet, pour la entreprises, indépendamment de leur visant à permettre la pleine application première fois depuis les origines de la régime de propriété. des règles de concurrence aux Communauté, les règles de concurrence transports aériens entre la ont fait l'objet de l'attention des États Communauté et les pays tiers, membres dans le cadre d'une conférence par Eric VAN GINDERACHTER Reaffirmation du rôle de la Commission intergouvernementale, notamment sur la en tant que gardienne des règles de Anti-Trust Rules question des relations entre les règles concurrence 17 Most important recent developments, communautaires de concurrence et les services publics nationaux. C'était donc Certaines propositions avaient été faites, Press releases 20 sans doute un rendez-vous important pour au début de la conférence, d'enlever à la 25 Court Judgments notre politique de concurrence. Commission son rôle d'instance Mergers d'application des règles communautaires de 28 Summary of the most important recent Maintenant, le Sommet d'Amsterdam concurrence. Il s'agissait, d'une part, des developments, ayant adopté le 19 Juin un projet de propositions de confier la politique by Jean-Louis ARIBAUD communautaire de concurrence à une 35 Press Releases réforme des Traités , le moment est venu de réaliser une première évaluation des "agence indépendante"^ et, d'autre part, Liberalisation & State intervention résultats de cette conférence, ce que je d'éliminer le pouvoir que l'article 90§3 37 Most important recent developments, vais essayer de faire dans les pages qui du Traité reconnaît à la Commission by José-Luis BUENDÍA SIERRA suivent. Je commence déjà par constater d'adopter des directives visant à préciser 44 Press Releases avec satisfaction que les États membres les obligations que le Traité impose aux State Aid ont réaffirmé leur compromis avec une États membres en matière de libéralisation. 45 Summary of the most important recent developments, 51 Press Releases 1 54 Court Judgments Les textes (version provisioire) du projet de Traité qui affectent la International concurrence sont réproduits dans ce Voir Karel VAN MIERT, "The 55 Summary of the main recent developments, by Alicia VAN même numéro du EC Competition proposai for a European competition CAUWELAERT Policy Newsletter, section "Recent agency", EC Competition Policy developments on Liberalisation and Newsletter (Vol.2 No 2, Summer INFORMATION SECTION State Intervention" 5P.37 et ss.)· 1996). 66 DG IV Staff list 68 Documentation 76 Coming up...

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Je constate avec satisfaction que France et la Belgique, qui ont concurrence-\ Certes, la Commis• ces initiatives n'ont pas abouti et proposé dans le cadre de la sion partageait et partage l'objectif que le rôle de la Commission en conférence d'inclure dans le Traité d'assurer que la libéralisation soit tant que gardienne des règles de des dispositions concernant les pleinement compatible avec le concurrence a été pleinement services publics qui auraient maintien de services publics de confirmé. J'interprète ceci comme vraisemblablement eu l'effet de qualité. La Commission était une reconnaissance de la part des modifier l'équilibre de l'article 90. néanmoins persuadée que cette États membres du caractère compatibilité pouvait être équilibré de la politique menée par J'ai souvent eu l'occasion de le dire pleinement assurée dans le cadre des la Commission dans l'exercice de par le passé: cette vision négative à règles communautaires existantes. ces fonctions. Je continuerai donc l'égard de l'article 90 était fondée sur Elle considérait en particulier que le à m'efforcer pour combiner, d'une des malentendus. Il faut se méfier Traité établissait déjà un équilibre façon appropriée, la prudence dans des approches trop dogmatiques et entre les objectifs nationaux de notre approche avec le rigueur privilégier plutôt les démarches Service Public et les objectifs nécessaire au respect des principes pragmatiques. Je suis d'accord que la communautaires d'intégration et du Traité. politique de concurrence n'est pas un qu'il ne fallait pas le modifier. but en soi et encore moins une religion, mais j'aimerais bien qu'on En effet, le point de départ du Traité Les services d'intérêt économique aborde avec la même attitude est, bien entendu, le principe de libre général et la politique de pragmatique et ouverte, les concepts circulation au sein d'un marché concurrence de Service Public et de Monopole intérieur. Comme dans les systèmes Public. nationaux la liberté économique est Quant au règles de fond, la la règle et les interventions publiques question des relations entre les Il me semble que si le débat entre sur le marché restent l'exception. services d'intérêt économique Service Public et libéralisme Les dispositions du droit général et les règles économique a émergé dernièrement communautaire de la concurrence communautaires a aussi fait l'objet avec force, c'est que notre qui touchent particulièrement les de plusieurs initiatives dans le environnement économique et social Services Publics sont articulées cadre de la conférence. a subi une mutation rapide au cours autour de cette distinction entre le des quinze dernières années. Cette principe et l'exception. C'est En effet, d'après certains, les mutation présente un défi stimulant à notamment l'architecture des articles règles du Traité seraient la notion de Service Public en même 90 et 92 du Traité. "déséquilibrées" en faveur de la temps qu'elle remet en question la trilogie traditionnelle Service libre concurrence et au détriment Le Traité, contrairement à ce que Public/Entreprises des services publics nationaux. Le j'entends ici et là, ne s'oppose donc Publiques/Monopoles Publics. Traité serait donc expression d'une en rien à ce que l'objectif légitime idéologie ultra-libérale et il serait d'accroissement du bien-être des indispensable de procéder à un citoyens qui caractérise toute "re-équilibrage" afin d'inscrire La position de la Commission sur politique publique, soit poursuivi par l'intérêt général en pied d'égalité les services d'intérêt général le biais de Services Publics. Au avec la concurrence. Objectif contraire, le Traité reconnaît que les privilégié de ces demandes "re• Ainsi que la Commission l'avait règles de concurrence peuvent, dans équilibrage" serait l'article 90 du expliqué dans sa communication du de tels cas, faire l'objet de Traité, règle qui interdit les 11 septembre 1996 sur les services limitations. restrictions de concurrence allant d'intérêt général en Europe, les au delà de qui est indispensable à dispositions du Traité de Rome la réalisation des missions d'intérêt posent les principes d'un équilibre économique général. Ces évolutif entre Service Public et Voir EC Competition Policy demandes ont influencé la position Newsletter (Vol.2 No 3), pp. de certains États membres, dont la 14-22 et 41-42.

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Le fameux article 90 sur ce point est modification aurait par contre risqué Communauté et les États et sans très clair. Π pose les bases de soustraire certains opérateurs dans modifier l'équilibre actuel entre les fondamentales de l'équilibre voulu des secteurs­clé de l'économie objectifs communautaires par le Traité entre Service Public et européenne de tout contrôle d'intégration économique et les concurrence. Il n'édicte pas communautaire, en créant des objectifs nationaux de Service d'interdiction absolue des monopoles conditions déloyales de concurrence Public. légaux, mais il organise un régime entre les opérateurs des différents dérogatoire au principe de États membres, entre des opérateurs concurrence, lorsque l'exception est privés et publics ou en dégradant la Le nouvel article 7D justifiée par l'exercice d'une mission compétitivité de l'industrie d'intérêt économique général et que européenne. Un nouvel article 7D concernant le développement des échanges n'est les "services d'intérêt économique pas affecté dans une mesure Or, le fait que la responsabilité général" (accompagné d'une contraire à l'intérêt de la essentielle pour les services publics déclaration dans l'Acte finale) a Communauté. appartienne aux États ne veut pas été adopté dans le projet de Traité dire que la Communauté n'a pas un d'Amsterdam. A mon avis, cet L'article 92 édicté, quant à lui, une rôle positif à jouer pour développer article correspond très largement interdiction de principe des aides le Service Public. Ainsi que la aux objectifs de la Commission d'État qui faussent ou menacent de Commission l'a expliqué dans sa tels qu'explicités dans sa commu­ fausser la concurrence, pour autant communication du 11 septembre nication de septembre 1996 sur les qu'elles affectent le commerce entre 1996, de nombreuses initiatives services d'intérêt général en États membres. Mais là aussi, il communautaires prises dans le cadre Europe. existe un régime d'exception, sous des compétences existantes réserve d'un contrôle de contribuent d'ores et déjà d'une façon En effet, d'un côté, cet article rend proportionnalité par la Commission. positive à atteindre ­ en parallèle davantage explicite l'attachement avec les États membres ­ des de la Communauté aux objectifs Pour être tout à fait complet, je objectifs de Service Public. C'est le d'intérêt économique général, en mentionnerai pour conclure sur ce cas des initiatives sectorielles visant ligne avec la proposition de la point, l'article 222 du Traité qui à assurer un niveau minimal de Commission d'inclure une affirme la neutralité de celui­ci à service universel pour tous les mention dans l'article 3 du Traité. l'égard du régime de propriété des citoyens de l'Union. C'est aussi le cas Il constitue donc un signal qui entreprises. En d'autres termes, il de nombreuses actions prises en devrait rassurer ceux qui croyaient, n'appartient pas à la Commission de matière d'environnement, de à tort, à une manque de sensibilité dire si une entreprise doit être consommateurs ou de Réseaux communautaire à l'égard de publique, mixte ou privée. Trans­européens. La Commission l'intérêt général. Contrairement à ce qui a parfois été s'était engagée à poursuivre et affirmé, le droit communautaire développer ces initiatives et s'était En même temps, ce nouvel article n'exige donc pas la privatisation des montrée favorable à traduire cet 7D confirme essentiellement engagement par l'inclusion dans entreprises publiques. l'équilibre actuel du Traité. En l'article 3 du Traité d'un paragraphe effet, l'idée que les services "u" (voire, "une contribution à la L'ensemble de ces règles me semble d'intérêt économique général promotion des services d'intérêt répondre assez bien à l'exigence de doivent fonctionner dans des général"). conciliation entre les objectifs de conditions qui leur permettent Service Public et le respect des d'accomplir leurs missions était libertés fondamentales inscrites dans Cette proposition avait pour but de déjà implicite dans l'article 90§2, le Traité. Il en découle qu'une permettre le développement dans la jurisprudence de la Cour modification de ces règles et progressif d'initiatives commu­ de Justice et dans la pratique de la notamment de l'article 90 du Traité nautaires en matière de Service Commission. La mention " sans n'était nullement nécessaire pour Public sans bouleverser la logique du préjudice des articles 77, 90 et 92 " protéger le Service Public. Une telle partage des compétences entre la confirme par ailleurs que le nouvel

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article 7D ne peut en aucun cas Traité, tel que traduit notamment Déclaration sur les établissements être interprété comme une par les articles 90 et 92. de crédit de droit public en modification de ces dispositions. Allemagne

Il me semble donc que le résultat de Protocole sur le Service Public de La conférence a aussi adopté, suite la conférence en ce qui concerne la radiodiffusion à une initiative de l'Allemagne, les relations entre l'intégration une déclaration sur les communautaire et les services Les États membres ont décidé établissements de crédit de droit d'intérêt général a été positif. d'adopter, dans le cadre de la public de cet État membre. Quoique modeste, ce nouvel article conférence, un protocole sur le 7D est satisfaisant, car il permet Service Public de radiodiffusion. La déclaration n'implique d'avancer progressivement avec des Ce protocole souligne la sensibilité évidemment pas que tous les actions communautaires contribuant particulière du secteur de la établissements de droit public d'une façon positive aux objectifs de radiodiffusion, qui est due à des allemands sont effectivement Service Public sans modifier raisons culturelles et de chargés de missions d'intérêt l'équilibre actuel entre les objectifs pluralisme. Ces raisons se économique général. Il est certes communautaires d'intégration et les traduisent souvent par des envisageable que certains objectifs nationaux de Service missions spécifiques qui sont établissements aient reçu des Public. confiés à certains opérateurs de Autorités publiques des missions radio et/ou de télévision. Le consistant en l'établissement d'une L'article 7D devrait dès lors être bien protocole nous rappelle que ces infrastructure financière couvrant accueilli par les vrais partisans du circonstances particulières doivent l'ensemble du territoire. Or, la Service Public, même s'il ne plaira être prises en considération lors de déclaration n'exempte pas la pas à ceux qui, sous prétexte de l'examen des modalités de Commission et les tribunaux de l'intérêt général, visaient simplement financement à la lumière des règles l'obligation que le Traité leur à protéger les positions établies de de concurrence. impose de vérifier dans chaque cas certains opérateurs. précis si des missions d'intérêt Je ne peux qu'être d'accord avec économique général ont ces idées. Il est tout à fait clair que effectivement été confiées à D'autres textes concernant des les États membres sont compétents l'entité en question. Il va de soi services d'intérêt général dans des pour définir et conférer des qu'une déclaration ne pourrait en secteurs particuliers missions de Service Public aux aucun cas produire des tels effets. opérateurs de radio et télévision, De la même façon, la déclaration Deux autres textes concernant des ainsi que pour financer ces ne leur exempte pas de leur services d'intérêt général dans des missions. Simplement, il va de soi obligation de s'assurer que tout secteurs spécifiques, ont aussi été que ces compétences doivent être avantage éventuel répond au introduits dans le projet de Traité. exercées dans le respect des règles principe de la proportionnalité et Il s'agit d'un protocole sur le communautaires, ce qui implique notamment qu'elle ne porte pas Service Public de radiodiffusion et notamment que le financement est atteinte aux conditions de d'une déclaration sur les soumis à la règle de concurrence dans une mesure qui établissements de crédit de droit proportionnalité: il doit servir à dépasse ce qui est nécessaire à public en Allemagne. financer les missions et ne peut l'exécution des missions précitées. Évidemment, ils doivent être lus à pas aller au delà de ce qui est la lumière du nouvel article 7D et nécessaire à cet égard. Or, le Il me semble évident que, même si donc comme des textes qui protocole reconnaît ces mêmes cette déclaration ne vise que les témoignent de l'importance principes. Il est donc très établissements de crédit de droit attachée aux objectifs de Service largement en ligne avec l'approche public existant en Allemagne, les Public et qui confirment pour actuelle de la Commission, même mêmes principes sont l'essentiel l'équilibre actuel du si on pourrait s'interroger sur sa d'application partout dans l'Union valeur ajoutée. européenne, en ce qu'ils

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correspondent aux règles exis• mentations devront viser entre s'était marqué dans sa communi• tantes. A cet égard, une déclaration autres, le domaine des aides d'état. cation sur les services d'intérêt de la présidence du Conseil Quant à l'orientation de ces textes, général en Europe ont été d'Amsterdam a invité la Commis• ils devront d'un côté prendre en largement atteints. sion à examiner si l'on peut considération les contraintes étendre les effets de la déclaration spécifiques de ces régions et, Même si les textes finalement aux autres États membres. Les d'autre côté, ne pas mettre en adoptés sont assez satisfaisants, résultats de cet étude contribueront danger l'intégrité et la cohérence certaines des initiatives qui étaient probablement à fixer les orienta• du Droit communautaire, y à leur source l'étaient beaucoup tions futures de la politique de compris le marché intérieur et les moins. Il faut donc, d'un côté, se concurrence dans le secteur politiques communes (dont la féliciter des améliorations et des bancaire. Je suis en tout cas d'avis politique de concurrence). En tout changements, parfois très substan: qu'il faudra veiller à assurer des cas, le contenu de ce régime sera tiels, introduits dans le cadre de la conditions égales de concurrence fixé dans des actes législatifs conférence. Il faut malheureu• pour tous les institutions de crédit futurs. sement, d'autre côté, déplorer de l'Union européenne, ce qui a l'existence d'une tendance chez une importance toute particulière certains d'essayer d'échapper aux dans la perspective de la mise en Appréciation d'ensemble contraintes découlant des règles de place de l'Union économique et concurrence par le biais de monétaire. Les résultats de la conférence dérogations ad hoc à inclure dans intergouvernementale me semblent le Traité. Même si ces dangers ont plutôt satisfaisants pour la heureusement pu être évités dans Régions ultra-périphériques politique de concurrence. Les cette conférence, des telles textes adoptés, et notamment le initiatives n'ont contribué en rien à Le nouvel article 227.Art. 21.2 du nouvel article 7D, sont positifs, en renforcer l'idée d'une politique Traité prévoit l'adoption par le ce qu'ils confirment dans une très communautaire de concurrence Conseil, sur proposition de la large mesure les règles de fond cohérente et applicable de la même Commission, de réglementations existantes et les pouvoirs de manière à tous les opérateurs et spécifiques visant à préciser les contrôle de la Commission. Ceci, dans tous les États membres de conditions d'application des règles ensemble avec le fait que l'Union européenne. En tant que communautaires dans les régions l'attachement communautaire aux Commissaire responsable de la ultra-périphériques (îles Azores, objectifs d'intérêt général ait été concurrence, je ne peux que les Madeira, Canaries, et départements davantage explicité, implique que déplorer. français d'outre-mer). Ces régle• les objectifs que la Commission

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prolonged these provisions up State aid in the ECSC steel until the end of 1991. The Fifth Steel Aid Code, in force from sector 1992 to 1996, again prolonged the possibility for aid for research and development, under the same by Alexander SCHAUB, Director-General for Competition conditions valid for the EC sectors, environmental protection and closure, but limited regional investment aid to Eastern intra-cornmunity imports certain Germany, Greece and SMEs in The steel Aid Code - a suitable Member States even considered Portugal, up until the end of 1994. instrument to ensure fair the introduction of countervailing competition in a sector in measures. The Steel Aid Code had become a transition widely accepted and recognized The Community found itself in a instrument to ensure fair Contrary to the EC Treaty, where situation in which the competition in the steel sector we find a prohibition of State aid unacceptable high level of aid had while promoting constant progress in principle but an extensive list of to be reduced through the in industrial technology and exceptions and exemptions in introduction of an effective control environmental protection. It Article 92, the ECSC Treaty, mechanism. The first Steel Aid allowed closures of unviable covering the sectors of steel and Code of 1980, however, had only capacities under socially coal, stipulates in Article 4 lit. c a limited impact. The second Steel acceptable conditions thus the strict prohibition of any State Aid Code of 1981 made up with a contributing to a constant move aid in any form whatsoever number of deficiencies. The main towards a balance between without any exception. step forward in this period was the capacity and demand. It is the Nevertheless the steel sector has policy of the Commission to allow basis for an effective Community during the last decades been one of aid only in return for capacity control of State aid by the the most aided sectors in the reduction in order to reduce the Commission. Community. Severe struc-tural structural over-capacity that was the major problem of the sector. problems namely in the second The crisis of the early Nineties half of the Seventies and the early Eighties affected this core sector of By the mid Eighties the Although previous efforts had led Member State's industries to an Commission could conclude that to a significant reduction of extent that several hundred the capacity reduction needed was capacity a general slow down in thousand citizens and entire mainly achieved and that the steel economies and a remaining over• regions were threatened by companies were in such a financial capacity of at least 19 million tons unemployment and unprecedented shape that they would be viable led to a new severe crisis of the economic decline. In this situation under normal market conditions. steel industry in the early Nineties. the Member States concerned were Consequently, the Third Steel Aid The Commission tried to promote prepared to grant important Code of 1985 limited aid to the a voluntary reduction of capacities amounts of State aid to steel steel industry to research and through offering Community aid undertakings. The massive develop-ment, environmental for social measures related to subsidization of the steel industry protection, closure aid and closures. It invited the steel in a number of Member States led regional investment aid that does industry to propose plans for to a situation in which the not lead to capacity increases in capacity reductions and suggested freedoms of the common market those Member States which had a joint effort of the industry to created by the ECSC Treaty were not granted aid under the previous achieve the necessary reductions. questioned: In order to protect Steel Aid Codes. The Fourth Steel This innovative proposal, their industry from subsidized Aid Code of February 1989

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however, was not honoured by the Code as a crucial element for the The Sixth Steel Aid Code steel industry. future competitiveness of the European steel industry. The Sixth Steel Aid Code entered Again Member States approached into force at the beginning of this the Commission to allow State aid In 1995 and 1996 the Commission year, running until the expiry of for rescue and restructuring of the allowed closure aid under the Steel the ECSC Treaty in the year 2002. most ailing companies in order to Aid Code for the Italian Bresciani Under the new code State aid is avoid severe regional and social cases, leading to a capacity only allowed for research and difficulties. The Commission was reduction of 5.2 million tons in development and environmental prepared to accept new return for a relatively limited protection, under mainly the same restructuring aid only in return for amount of aid. The additional rules in force for the other industry massive capacity cuts and as a capacity reduction achieved by the sectors, and for closures. A new final measure to render the industry itself amounted to 5.8 element of the Sixth Code is the companies economically viable. million tons. The total capacity possibility to allow aid also for In December 1993 the Council reduction achieved as result of the partial closures, with strict rules to gave its assent to a series of crisis management therefore totals avoid any spill-over of aid to the exceptional decisions under 16.4 million tons in hot-rolled remaining activities of the Article 95 of the Treaty allowing products, an amount close to the enterprise in question, and more aid for six companies in over-capacity identified. effective powers of the Eastern Germany, Italy, Spain and Commission to fight illegal non- Portugal. A smaller case Aid discipline notified aid. concerning Ireland was cleared in 1995. The restructuring plans The Commission continued its The Commission will continue to provided for an overall capacity vigorous State aid control under be vigilant in applying the Code reduction of 5.4 million tons in the Fifth Steel Aid Code. In 1995 and will vigorously investigate hot-rolled products. Although the it adopted two negative decisions cases where aid may have been Commission's general approach to blocking proposed restructuring granted in breach of the rules. privatization is neutral it was aid in favour of the German steel Where the Commission finds that clearly an important factor in the company Neue Maxhütte and illegal aid is involved it will not Commission's positive attitude ordering the reimbursement of hesistate to take appropriate towards these exceptional aid illegal aid already granted to this action, including, if necessary, plans since it helped to company. Another negative ordering the immediate suspension demonstrate that the new decision concerned illegal aid paid and recovery of the aid. companies should be viable in the to the German steel undertaking future. The implementation of the Hamburger Stahlwerke . The development with regard to decisions was made subject to a State aid in the steel sector during strict monitoring procedure In 1996 it adopted twenty negative the last decades has shown that conducted by the Commission decisions, of which the most only a strict Community control which is still continued important concerned the Belgian under the exclusive responsibility vigorously. steel company Forges de Clabecq , of the Commission bound to clear the Italian Falck Acciaierie di and fair rules is able to create a Member States solemnly declared Bolzano and Alti forni e Ferriere level playing field for all that the ad hoc Article 95 ECSC di Semola which had received aid competitors in the common decisions were exceptional in incompatible with the Steel Aid Community steel market. Member nature and expressed their Code. The other cases concerned States have, step-by-step, accepted determination not to use this regional investment aid that was the key role of the Commission in process in the future any more. no longer possible under the Steel this regard. The Commission has The Commission was requested to Aid Code and other aid proposals shown its ability to withstand even ensure a strict aid discipline based that were not in line with the strong pressure from single on the provisions of the Steel Aid provisions of the Steel Aid Code.

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national or regional Governments concentration of product groups the previously state-owned steel or companies concerned. and commercial activities heading enterprises in Europe, such as at better customer service. I am Usinor Sacilor of France, Voest Fair competition amongst efficient convinced that the recently cleared Alpine of Austria, Siderurgia and flexible companies is the best merger of the steel activities of Nacional of Portugal, Ilva of Italy, safeguard for competitive jobs in Thyssen and Krupp will not mark Sidenor of Spain and EKO Stahl of Europe. Market forces should be the end of this development. Germany have been privatized The allowed to select the less efficient privatization of previously state- companies obliged to leave the A result of these cooperations and owned companies can only be market in recurrent periods of low acquisitions is also a move helpful for the market in the longer demand and prices which are towards greater specialisation. term and contributes to the general typical for the steel industry. The Traditional steel producers which restructuring of the European steel Commission and Member States used to make all types of steel industry. will endeavour to contribute products are abandoning less towards the constant moderni• profitable product lines and I am therefore convinced that the zation of the industry. Major focussing their activities on those transition of the European steel efforts will continue to limit the they make the best. I trust that industry under the ECSC Treaty, social and regional impact of these moves will help in the which was the first step in necessary closures of the less development of competitive European integration, from an competitive capacities. producers in a truly common over-sized sector under heavy market for steel. The European public influence into a modern and Heading towards the expiring of monetary union will help to reduce internationaly competitive industry the ECSC Treaty the costs of exchange rate will be achieved when the ECSC variations. Treaty expires by the year 2002. Recent developments in the Euro• The sector will then be integrated pean steel industry show three The Commission will continue to into the general economic and major aspects, all of which are use its powers under the legal framework of the EC Treaty. indi-cators for a general competition rules of the ECSC However, we should not lose sight strengthening of its competitve Treaty to ensure that of certain rules and practices position: Coo-peration, concentrations and agreements developed under the ECSC Treaty Concentration, Speciali-zation and between steel producers do not which are well suited to the Privatization. restrict or distort competition in industry. Discussions amongst the common market. And it would Member States, the Commission An important number of continue its vigorous policy of and the industry in this regard acquisitions and cooperations investigating and attacking cartels should be initiated soon so that we among the European steel industry or other concerted practices that would well prepared enter into a were agreed during recent years. are illegal. new era of the European steel These operations led to cost industry after July 2002. advantages mainly through the During the last five years most of

Competition Policy Newsletter * * Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * Cr Cr** OPINIONS AND COMMENTS

In this section DG IV officials outline developments in Community competition procedures. It is important to recognise that the opinions put forward in this section are the personal views of the officials concerned. They have not been adopted or in any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commisson 's or DG IV's views.

Développements récents de la interprété à la lumière de Γ arrêt du 25 octobre 1977, Metro I, jurisprudence en matière de affaire 26/76, Ree. p. 1875, points 20 et 21 et de l'arrêt du distribution sélective Tribunal du 27 février 1992, Vichy/ Commission , T­19/91, par Paolo CESARMI, IV-F-3 Ree. p. 11­415, points 69 à 71); (ii) que le choix des revendeurs s'opère en fonction de critères objectifs de caractère qualitatif fixés d'une manière uniforme Suite aux recours en annulation soulevés par les requérants. Dans ce à l'égard de tous les introduits par le Groupement contexte, il convient d'attirer tout revendeurs potentiels et d'achat Edouard Ledere particulièrement l'attention sur un appliqués de façon non (hypermarchés) et la société certain nombre d'indications discriminatoire (arrêts Metro I, Kruidvat (chaîne de magasins en résultant de ces arrêts. point 20, et L'Oréal, point 15, libre service), le Tribunal de ainsi que l'arrêt de la Cour du première instance a rendu, le 12 Sur la compatibilité de principe 25 octobre 1983, décembre 1996, trois arrêts qui avec l'article 85§1 de la AEG/Telefiinken, affaire 107/ confirment, pour l'essentiel, la distribution sélective dans le 82 Ree. p. 3151, point 35); légalité des décisions de principe secteur des cosmétiques de luxe (iii) que le système en cause vise à adoptées par la Commission dans Cette nouvelle jurisprudence a mis atteindre un résultat de nature à les affaires Yves Saint Laurent (J.O. un terme au débat portant sur la améliorer la concurrence et n° L12 du 18.1.1992) et Givenchy légalité de la distribution sélective donc à contrebalancer les effets (J.O. n° L236 du 19.8.1992) . Ces dans le secteur des produits restrictifs inhérentes aux arrêts présentent un grand intérêt cosmétiques de luxe, le TPI ayant systèmes de distribution car, d'une part, ils clarifient les pleinement confirmé l'analyse de la sélective, notamment en règles matérielles applicables au Commission quant à la nature des matière de prix (arrêts Metro I, secteur de la distribution sélective produits en cause et à l'adéquation points 20 à 22, AEG, points en parfumerie et, d'autre part, de celle­ci par rapport au mode 33, 34 et 73, ainsi que l'arrêt apportent des précisions nouvelles distribution utilisé par la plupart des de la Cour du 22 octobre 1986 , au sujet des rôles respectifs des fabricants du secteur. Metro II, affaire 75/84, Ree. p. instances communau­taires et des A cet égard, le raisonnement du TPI 3076, point 45); et juridictions ou des autorités s'appuie sur la jurisprudence de la (iv) que les critères de sélection nationales dans l'application des Cour, selon laquelle les systèmes de utilisés n'aillent pas au­delà de règles de concurrence du traité à distribution sélective constituent en ce qui est nécessaire pour l'égard de ces réseaux de élément de concurrence conforme à assurer la commercialisation, distribution. l'article 85§1 du traité, s'il est dans des conditions optimales, satisfait à quatre conditions, à des produits en cause (arrêts Si le recours formé par la société savoir: L'Oréal, point 16, et Kruidvat a été rejeté par le TPI (i) qu'une telle forme de Vichy/Commission , points 69 à comme irrecevable (affaire T­ commercialisation soit néces­ 71). 87/92), les deux arrêts Groupement saire, eu égard à la nature des d'achat Edouard Ledere c. produits concernés, afin de En s'agissant des produits de Commission (affaires T­19/92 et T­ préserver leur qualité et pour parfumerie, le TPI a observé 88/92) ont permis en revanche au en assurer le bon usage (arrêts d'abord que "la notion de TPI de se prononcer sur le fond des de la Cour du 11 décembre "propriétés" des cosmétiques de requêtes et de trancher sur 1980, L'Oréal, affaire 31/80, luxe [...] ne peut être limitée à leurs l'ensemble des aspects litigieux Ree. p. 3775, point 16, caractéristiques matérielles mais

Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * (^ *** OPINIONS AND COMMENTS

englobe également la perception cause dans des conditions l'article 85§1. Le TPI a donc statué spécifique qu'en ont les valorisantes "aurait pur seul effet de qu'il avait lieu d'annuler les consommateurs, et plus particuliè• protéger les formes de commerce décisions uniquement en ce qui rement leur aura de luxe" existantes de la concurrence des concerne la partie de ces décisions (point. 109). Il a relevé en suite qu'il nouveaux opérateurs et ne serait qui portait sur l'applicabilité de la s'agit en l'espèce de produits qui, donc pas conforme à l'article 85§1 "règle de raison" à l'égard de la d'une part, sont d'une haute qualité du traité" (ibidem). clause en question. Le TPI a jugé intrinsèque et, d'autre part, qu'un tel critère de sélection était possèdent un caractère de luxe "qui Sur la licéité des critères de visé par l'article 85§1 mais il ne relève de leur nature même" sélection qualitatifs au regard de s'est pas prononcé sur son (ibidem). Quant à la question de l'article 85§1 exemptabilité éventuelle. Cepen• savoir si la distribution sélective Sur la base de telles prémisses, le dant, même en l'absence d'une constitue une exigence légitime TPI a en suite confirmé, en large indication expresse du TPI à ce dans le cas de produits qui partie, l'appréciation portée par la sujet, il paraît logique de considérer possèdent de telles caractéristiques, Commission à l'égard des critères que, dans la mesure où cette clause a le TPI a souligné qu'un tel mode de qualitatifs de sélection qui fixent les été regardée comme n'ayant "aucun distribution ne se situe en dehors du conditions d'accès des revendeurs rapport avec l'exigence légitime de champ d'application de l'article aux réseaux de distributeurs agréés la préservation de l'image de luxe 85§1 que "s'il est objectivement mis en place par YSL et Givenchy. des produits concernés"(point 144), justifié compté tenu également de Ainsi, des exigences telles que la un tel critère de sélection ne saurait l'intérêt des consommateurs" (point qualification professionnelle du remplir toutes les conditions (et 112). A cet égard, le Tribunal revendeur, l'environnement et la notamment la première) de l'article reconnaît notamment "qu'il est dans localisation appropriés du point de 85§3. l'intérêt des consommateurs vente, l'apparence extérieure et Dans ce contexte, le TPI a en outre recherchant des cosmétiques de luxe l'aménagement intérieur du rejeté le grief soulevé par le que l'image de luxe de tels produits magasin, ainsi que son enseigne, ont requérant selon lequel les affiliés du ne soit pas ternie, faute de quoi ils été reconnues par le TPI comme groupement d'achat Edouard ne seraient plus considérés comme étant des critères objectifs, Ledere seraient exclus a priori des des produits de luxe" (point 114) et nécessaires pour assurer la vente de réseaux de distribution sélective en que par conséquent "des critères qui ces produits dans des bonnes cause. A cet égard, le Tribunal a ne visent qu'à assurer leur conditions de présentation et, de ce observé que "le requérant n'a pas présentation valorisante poursuivent fait, comme compatibles avec établi à suffisance de droit qu'il un résultat qui est de nature à l'article 85§ 1 du traité. existe actuellement des barrières à améliorer la concurrence, par la l'entrée de la grande distribution préservation de cette image de luxe" L'analyse du TPI s'est écartée de dans la distribution des cosmétiques (point. 113). Cela étant, le Tribunal a celle de la Commission à l'égard de luxe, pourvu que ses points de observé aussi que, s'il est dans d'un seul critère de sélection, à vente soient adaptés d'une façon l'intérêt du consommateur de savoir celui permettant au fabricant appropriée à la vente de tels pouvoir se procurer des cosmétiques de tenir compte, lors de l'évaluation produits" (point 161). Cependant, le de luxe vendus dans des bonnes de la candidature d'un nouveau TPI a ajouté que "il appartient à la conditions de présentation, il est point de vente, de l'importance Commission de veiller, notamment également dans son intérêt "qu'un relative de l'activité de parfumerie en cas de demande de système de distribution fondé sur pai- rapport aux autres activités renouvellement de la décision, à ce cette considération ne soit pas exercées dans le magasin. Ce critère que les formes modernes de appliqué de façon excessivement a été regardé par le TPI comme distribution ne soient pas exclues du restric-tive"(point 116). Ainsi, un pouvant entraver l'agrément des réseau [...] d'une manière système qui exclurait à priori points de vente "multi-produits" injustifiée" (point 162). certaines formes de distribution (e.g. les hypermarchés) et, dans cette Ensuite, le TPI a apporté des capables de vendre les produits en mesure, comme étant visé par précisions nouvelles en ce qui

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concerne l'appréciation de l'effet d'achats annuels, les obligations en faits, en tenant compte des réalités cumulatif produit par l'existence de matière de stockage et de commerciales et des habitudes de réseaux parallèles dans le secteur en coopération publicitaire, l'interdic• consommation locales. De plus, cause. En particulier, les arrêts tion de vendre un produit n'ayant cette nouvelle jurisprudence ouvre précisent que l'effet cumulatif pas fait l'objet d'un lancement la voie à des recours ponctuels d'autres réseaux serait susceptible officiel par le fabricant sur le marché devant les juridictions nationales d'écarter l'applicabilité de la "règle national, ainsi que l'obligation de qui, par une application directe de de raison" uniquement dans vendre un nombre minimal de l'article 85§1 en conjonction avec certaines conditions, et notamment marques concurrentes. les instruments de droit civil, sont si l'on démontre "premièrement, ainsi appelées à garantir que les qu'il existe des barrières à l'entrée Sur les rôles respectifs des distributeurs victimes d'une mise en sur le marché à rencontre de instances communautaires et des oeuvre discriminatoire ou dispro• nouveaux concurrents aptes à juridictions ou autorités de portionnée des critères de sélection vendre les produits en question, de concurrence nationales puissent avoir accès aux réseaux de sorte que les systèmes de Il découle des arrêts du TPI que, s'il distribution sélective. distribution sélective en cause ont appartient à la Commission de pour effet de figer la distribution au vérifier, sous le contrôle du profit de certains canaux existants Tribunal, la conformité de principe [...], ou, deuxièmement, qu'il n'y a des critères contractuels de sélection pas de concurrence efficace, avec les exigences posées par notamment en matière de prix, l'article 85, il incombe en revanche compte tenu de la nature de produits aux juridictions ou aux autorités en cause" (point 174). En ce qui nationales "de statuer, à la lumière le concerne ce deuxième aspect, le cas échéant de la jurisprudence de la Tribunal a spécifié qu'une telle Cour et du Tribunal, sur la question notion de concurrence efficace de savoir si les critères de sélection couvre à la fois la concurrence inter• [...] ont été appliqués dans un cas brand et intra-brand. Le requérant concret d'une manière discrimi• n'ayant pas apporté les éléments de natoire ou disproportionnée, entraî• preuve nécessaires à ce sujet, le nant ainsi une violation de l'article Tribunal a rejeté son grief selon 85§1. Il incombe notamment aux lequel l'article 85§1 aurait été violé juridic-tions ou aux autorités dans le cas d'espèce du fait que des nationales de veiller à ce que les réseaux semblables existent dans critères en cause ne soient pas tout le secteur concerné, de sorte utilisés pour empêcher l'accès au qu'aucune place ne serait laissée à réseau de nouveaux opérateurs d'autres formes de distribution. capables de distribuer le produits en cause dans des conditions qui ne sont pas dévalorisantes" (point 123). Sur le bien-fondé des décisions à l'égard de l'article 85§3 Le TPI a rejeté l'ensemble des Il s'agit là d'un développement de la moyens et arguments du requérant jurisprudence communautaire en tirés d'une prétendue violation de matière d'application décentralisée l'article 85§3. Rappelons que les des règles de concurrence qui, en obligations contractuelles que la l'espèce, vise à assurer que les Commission avait exemptées litiges individuels survenus à concernaient la procédure d'admis• l'échelle nationale ou locale soient sion des nouveaux revendeurs dans traités par les instances qui sont les le réseau, le chiffre minimal plus à même pour en examiner les

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LA COMMISSION A APPROUVE DES que ceux dont elle dispose pour les liaisons aériennes entre PROPOSITIONS DE REGLEMENTS DU aéroports de la Communauté et pour les autres secteur CONSEIL VISANT A PERMETTRE LA économiques se voit accrue. Ces PLEINE APPLICATION DES REGLES DE propositions visent donc à soumettre le secteur de l'aviation CONCURRENCE AUX TRANSPORTS aux mêmes principes d'un point de vue procédural que les autres AERIENS ENTRE LA COMMUNAUTE ET secteurs économiques en ce qui LES PAYS TIERS (IP/97/420) concerne l'application des règles de concurrence. La procédure de l'article 89 du par Eric VAN GINDERACHTER, IV-D-2 Traité sur la base de laquelle la Commission a ouvert la procédure à rencontre d'un certain nombre La Commission européenne a de la Communauté, aussi à d'alliances actuelles a été adopté, le 16 mai 1997, un l'ensemble des liaisons clairement prévue comme un Mémorandum ^ qui comporte Communauté/pays tiers. Une telle régime transitoire par les auteurs deux propositions de règlements extension doterait la Commission du Traité. L'article 89 s'applique du Conseil concernant des pouvoirs d'appliquer direc• en l'absence d'un règlement l'application des règles de tement et pleinement les articles octroyant à la Commission les concurrence, Articles 85 et 86 du 85 et 86 du Traité à des accords pouvoirs d'appliquer directement Traité, aux transports aériens et restrictifs de concurrence sur de les articles 85 et 86. Le régime plus particulièrement aux liaisons telles liaisons, comme par transitoire de l'article 89 ne Communauté/pays tiers. Ces deux exemple les alliances entre permet pas à la Commission propositions de règlements compagnies aériennes d'agir avec toute l'efficacité publiées au Journal Officiel des européennes et de pays tiers, et voulue pour aborder les questions non plus indirectement par le biais soulevées par les alliances. Cette Communautés du 31 mai 1997 * de la procédure du régime proposition, si adoptée, mettra fin ont été transmises au Conseil en transitoire prévu par l'article 89 au régime transitoire prévu par les date du 20 mai 1997. du Traité comme c'est le cas articles 88 et 89. La première proposition vise à actuellement. étendre le champ d'application du I. Rappel du cadre règlement n°3975/87 6 du Conseil, La seconde vise à habiliter la réglementaire actuel qui vise à ce jour uniquement les Commission à octroyer des Le règlement n° 3975/87 du transports aériens entre aéroports exemptions par catégorie pour certains accords restrictifs de Conseil détermine les modalités concurrence sur ces mêmes d'application des règles de concurrence (articles 85 et 86 du 4 Document COM (97).218. liaisons. Au vu de l'internationalisation traité) applicables aux entreprises de transport aérien. Il est 5 JOn°C 165 du 31.5.97,p. 13 à 15 croissante du marché du transport aérien et du nombre grandissant l'équivalent du règlement n° 17/62 du Conseil et donne à la ft Le règlement n°3975/87 du Conseil d'alliances entre compagnies détermine les modalités d'application aériennes portant sur les liaisons Commission les moyens des règles de concurrence applicables d'appliquer directement les aux entreprises de transport aérien. avec les pays tiers, la Commission (JO n°L 374 du 31.12.87, p.l) modifié estime que la nécessité de la doter articles 85 et 86 aux infractions et en dernier lieu par le règlement des mêmes pouvoirs d'action en de les sanctionner. Son champ n°2410/92 ( JO n° L 240 du 24.8.92, ce qui concerne le transport aérien d'appli-cation vise cependant à ce p.18). sur les liaisons avec les pays tiers jour uniquement les transports

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aériens entre aéroports de la États tiers. De manière Le mémorandum explicatif Communauté. concomitante, elle avait soumis actualisé accompagnant les deux Le règlement n° 3976/87 du une proposition de règlement, nouvelles propositions détaille les Conseil qui a ce même champ largement semblable au règlement facteurs nouveaux qui se sont d'application concerne n° 3976/87, mais distincte, produits depuis l'examen par le l'application de l'article 85(3) du habilitant la Commission à Conseil des propositions de 1989 traité à des catégories d'accords octroyer des exemptions par de la Commission. Ces éléments restrictifs de concurrence dans le catégorie pour certaines catégories nouveaux renforcent la nécessité domaine des transports aériens. d'accords portant sur ces liaisons. de doter maintenant la Il s'agit d'un règlement Ces deux propositions n'ont Commission des mêmes pouvoirs d'habilitation octroyant à la toutefois pas été adoptées par le d'action vis­à­vis des transports Commission le pouvoir Conseil. La Commission a dès aériens offerts sur les lignes avec d'accorder des exemptions par lors également, le 16 mai 1997, les pays tiers que ceux qui lui sont catégorie pour certains accords. décidé de retirer ses propositions conférés actuellement par le Les derniers règlements de 1989. règlement n° 3975/87 pour assurer d'exemption par catégorie adoptés le respect des règles de sur cette base dans le marché concurrence aux transports aériens III. Nouvelles propositions de la intérieur sont les règlements entre aéroports de la Commission n° 1617/93 et n° 3652/93 de la Communauté. Après analyse, il est apparu en Commission . Ces facteurs sont principalement effet que les deux propositions ° II. Retrait des Propositions de la les suivants: soumises en 1989 étaient Commission de 1989 dépassées du point de vue du Le 8 septembre 1989, la Libéralisation du marché interne texte et que le mémorandum Commission avait déjà fait une Par rapport à 1989, le contexte explicatif accompagnant ces proposition au Conseil pour réglementaire a été propositions devait être largement élargir le champ d'application du substantiellement modifié par révisé afin de l'actualiser au règlement n° 3975/87 à l'introduction du troisième paquet nouveau contexte existant qui est l'ensemble des liaisons avec les de libéralisation du marché très différent de celui prévalant à communautaire de l'aviation en cette époque (à savoir, troisième 1993 et sa pleine mise en vigueur Les derniers règlements d'exemption paquet de libéralisation du le 1er avril 1997. de groupe adoptés pour les services transport aérien entré en vigueur A partir du moment où les aériens entre aéroports de la totalement le 1er avril 1997, restrictions réglementaires Communauté l'ont été en 1993. Il s'agit développement récent des du règlement n* 1617/93 de la existantes antérieure­ment sur les Commission concernant l'application alliances sur les liaisons comportements commerciaux des de l'article 85(3) à certaines catégories Communauté/pays tiers, transporteurs aériens sont d'accords ayant pour objet la particuliè­rement atlantiques, ...). planification conjointe et la éliminées, les questions de coordination des horaires, Elles ont par conséquent été concurrence se posent avec encore l'exploitation de services en commun, remplacées par les deux plus d'acuité. Dans certains cas, les consultations tarifaires pour le nouvelles propositions susvisées. les vols sur le marché transport des passagers et la répartition communautaire ne s'inscrivent en des créneaux horaires dans les aéroports . (JO n°L 155 du 26.6.93, effet que comme une étape initiale p. 18 modifié en dernier lieu par le Elles remplacent celles soumises en 1989 ou comme le prolongement d'un règlement n° 1523/96 ( JO n°L 190 du figurant au document COM (89) 417 final vol à destination d'un pays tiers. (aux Annexes I et ΠΙ) qui ont été remises 31.7.96, p. 11)) et du règlement L'octroi de tels moyens d'action n' 3652/93 concernant l'application de au Conseil le 8 septembre 1989 et l'article 85(3) au système informatisé publiées au. JO n° C 248 du 29.9.1989, apparaît dès lors indispensable respectivement p. 7 et p. 10. de réservation pour les services de pour éviter que les effets transport aérien. (JO n°L 333 du bénéfiques résultant du processus 31.12.93, p.37). de libéralisation en cours soient en

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partie annihilés par des Nécessité d'établir un cadre lésai ont engagé en parallèle une comportements restrictifs des plus structuré pour pallier les procédure au titre de l'article 88 du opérateurs commerciaux. lacunes du système actuel . traité afin de statuer sur Le développement rapide, l'admissibilité de deux de ces Faiblesse du volet externe récemment, d'une nouvelle alliances au regard des mêmes la libéralisation du marché génération d'alliances entre règles de concurrence. communautaire de l'aviation reste transporteurs aériens portant sur Le double examen d'un même fragile dans la mesure où ce les lignes CE/pays tiers (en accord par deux autorités, celle d'un marché demeure incomplet sur le particulier CE/USA) ayant des État membre au titre de l'article 88 plan externe. Il continue en effet à effets importants sur la du traité, et la Commission européenne au titre de l'article 89, être soumis aux accords bilatéraux concurrence", notamment à est non seulement coûteux pour les entre États membres de la l'intérieur du marché commu• entreprises parties à l'accord tant du Communauté et les États tiers qui nautaire, a imposé à la point de vue financier que du point n'incluent normalement pas de Commission, en juillet 1996, de vue du temps consacré, mais peut mécanisme prévoyant un système d'ouvrir la procédure au titre de aussi mener à une insécurité d'application effective des règles l'article 89 du traité vis à vis de juridique. L'extension du champ de concurrence communautaires. certains de ces accords, en vue de d'application du règlement (CEE) Dans certains cas, le Conseil a procéder à un examen complet de n/ 3975/87 aux liaisons aériennes reconnu ce problème et a accordé leur compatibilité au regard des internationales avec les pays tiers à la Commission des mandats de règles de concurrence négociation qui comportent un offrirait donc aux entreprises le clair volet concurrence (Suisse, pays communautaires. avantage d'un seul contrôle de la associés d'Europe centrale et États Parallèlement à ces actions de la légalité de leur accord ("one stop Unis). Un bon exemple est le Commission au titre de la procédure shop") au regard des règles mandat donné par le Conseil à la de l'article 89, deux États Membres communautaires de concurrence Commission en juin 1996 visant à selon une procédure beaucoup établir entre l'UE et les USA une moins lourde et plus directe que zone d'aviation commune Décision de la Commission du 3 juillet celle prévue par le régime transitoire 1996 d'ouvrir la procédure au titre de de l'article 89 du traité et sans être ("Common Aviation Area") où l'article 89 du traité à l'encontre des les transporteurs aériens des deux alliances suivantes portant sur les soumises à un risque de décisions entités pourraient fournir liaisons atlantiques: British contradictoires. Airways/American Airlines, Lufthansa/ librement leurs services et se SAS/United Airlines, Swissair/Sabena/ Si elle se voit octroyer les concurrencer sur une base Austrian. Airlines/Delta Airlines, KLM/Northwest./ British Airways/ pouvoirs demandés sur les commerciale et équitable. Le volet US Air et du 27 novembre 1996 à liaisons avec les pays tiers, la concurrence constitue un élément l'encontre de l'alliance suivante Commission mènera, en important des futures négociations portant sur les liaisons avec la Suisse: Swissair/Sabena/Austrian. Airlines. A conformité avec les règles dans le cadre de ce mandat. Pour la suite de cette décision de la existantes pour les autres que la Communauté puisse être Commission et après avoir voté une loi domaines économiques, les considérée comme un spéciale à cet effet (EU Competition law (articles 88 and 89) Enforcement procédures en liaison étroite et interlocuteur crédible, il est Regulations 1996), les autorités constante avec les Etats membres souhaitable que la Commission britanniques ont ouvert,en août 1996. qui ont le droit de formuler toutes sur la base de l'article 88 du traité la dispose de ses pouvoirs normaux procédure pour examiner la observations sur ces procédures. d'appliquer directement les compatibilité de l'alliance British articles 85 et 86 du Traité aux vols Airways/American Airlines au regard Nouvelles propositions adoptées du droit communautaire de la avec les pays tiers y compris les concurrence. Les autorités allemandes le 16 mai 1997 vols avec les États Unis. ont aussi ouvert la procédure sur la La première est un projet de base de l'article 88 pour examiner la proposition de règlement compatibilité de l'alliance Lufthansa/ SAS/United Airlines modifiant le règlement n° 3975/87 de manière à étendre son champ

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d'application à l'ensemble des conjointe, la coordination des liaisons Communauté/pays tiers. capacités et des horaires, le partage de recettes, l'organisation A l'instar de la proposition de des consultations tarifaires pour le 1989, elle comporte aussi une transport de passagers avec leurs disposition, l'article 18bis, bagages pour autant qu'elles prévoyant des consultations en cas soient indispensables à de conflit résultant de l'interligne, l'exploitation en l'application du règlement avec commun d'un service sur une les dispositions d'un pays tiers et liaison nouvelle ou de faible notamment avec des dispositions densité, ainsi que la répartition contenues dans des accords des créneaux dans les aéroports. bilatéraux entre un État membre et un pays tiers. La deuxième constitue, comme dans la proposition de 1989, un projet de règlement ad hoc, distinct du règlement n° 3976/8710. Elle vise à permettre à la Commission d'accorder des exemptions de groupe pour certains accords restrictifs dans le domaine des transports aériens entre la Communauté et les pays tiers concernant la planification

Il s'agit d'un projet distinct du règlement n° 3976/87 du Conseil qui concerne l'application de l'article 85 paragraphe 3 à des catégories d'accords dans le domaine des transports aériens.(JO n°L 374 du 31.12.87, p.9) modifié en dernier lieu par le règlement n°2411/92 (JO n°L 240 du 24.8.92, p. 19). La liste des accords restrictifs pour lesquels l'habilitation est demandée est plus large (cas des accords de partage de recettes et de coordination des capacités)que la liste actuelle des accords couverts par le règlement n° 3976/87 afin de tenir compte de la situation existante sur certaines liaisons avec les pays tiers. Il est à relever que dans le marché intérieur, ces deux catégories d'accords étaient aussi initialement exemptées sous certaines conditions par le premier paquet de règlement d'exemption ( voir règlement n° 2671/88 de la Commission adopté à la suite du premier paquet de libéralisation .(JO n°L 239 du 30.8.88, p.9)).

Competition Policy Newsletter * * Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 15 * * bit* (%= ANTI-TRUST RULES Application of Articles 85 & 86 EC and 65 ECSC Main developments between 1st April and 30th June 1997

agree on the amount of capacity to Most important recent be used in the joint service and currently operate three vessels developments offering a service every ten days to each of the eleven ports of call, except that Lisbon and Leixões are called at on alternate sailings. One of the vessels is provided by Zim and two by Ellerman/KNSM.

LINER SHIPPING CONSORTIA - obtained the benefit of Article 13 NON-OPPOSITION (ARTICLE 7 OF of the Regulation. These services cover two distinct REGULATION 870/95) The Parties to the Joint markets: (i) services between JOINT OPERATIONAL SERVICE Operational Service Agreement Northern European/Portuguese AGREEMENT (CASE NO TV/ (JOS) are Andrew Weir Shipping ports and central Mediterranean 35.770) AND Ltd (trading as Ellerman), Iscont ports and (ii) services between WEST COAST/MEDITERRANEAN Lines Ltd, KNSM Kroonburgh and Northern European/Portuguese ports and ports in Israel and AGREEMENT (CASE NO 35.774) Zim Israeli Navigation Ltd. The JOS is a joint liner shipping Cyprus. In the case of the market On 5 March 1997, the service between the ports of for transport services between Commission adopted decisions not Felixstowe, Antwerp, Rotterdam between Northern to oppose exemption for the Joint and Hamburg and the port of European/Portuguese ports and Operational Service Agreement Limassol in Cyprus and the ports central Mediterranean ports some (Case No IV/ 35.770) and the of Ashdod and Haifa in Israel. The road haulage services may be West Coast/Mediterranean parties agree on the amount of substitutable for maritime Agreement (Case No 35.774) and capacity to be used in the joint service transport services as a result of a accordingly allowed both and currently operate four vessels very wide range of ferry services. agreements to benefit from the offering a fixed day, weekly service group exemption for liner shipping to each of the six ports of call. Two of Since there is a significant overlap consortia contained in Regulation the vessels are provided by Zim, one between the markets in which the 870/95. by Iscont and one jointly by two consortia operate, it was Ellerman/KNSM. The relevant necessary to assess their combined In accordance with Article 7 of market in this case is scheduled market shares. For the reasons Regulation 870/95, if the maritime transport services described below it was also Commission does not wish a between ports in Northern Europe appropriate to take into account notified agreement to benefit from and ports in Cyprus and Israel. not only containerised cargo but the group exemption, it has six also non-containerised cargo. months, counting from the date of The Parties to the West notification, to inform the parties Coast/Mediterranean Agreement Almost all cargo can be that it wishes to oppose the (WC/Med) are Andrew Weir containerised and, over time, it is exemption. In both cases, further Shipping Ltd (trading as likely that the degree of information was requested from Ellerman), KNSM Kroonburgh containerisation in most maritime the parties and was received on BV and Zim Israeli Navigation markets involving Member States 7 October 1996. As the Ltd. The WC/Med is a joint liner will be very high. In mature Commission has decided not to shipping between the ports of markets, such as the Northern oppose exemption, the two Liverpool and Dublin and the Europe/US or the Northern agreements will be exempt for the ports of Lisbon, Leixões, Malta, Europe/Far East markets, the life of the Regulation, ie until 21 Palermo, Salerno, Piraeus, process of change towards April 2000. The Parties also Limassol in Cyprus and Ashdod containerisation is more or less and Haifa in Israel. The parties complete and few, if any, non-

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containerised cargoes are left It was therefore reasonable to Irish Sugar has abused its which are capable of being accept the parties' argument that dominant position on the Irish containerised. many of the non­containerised sugar market by seeking to restrict cargoes moving between the ports competition both from imports of Furthermore, once a type of cargo in question could not only become sugar from other Member States regularly becomes containerised it containerised but could switch and from small sugar packers is very unlikely ever to be back if the price of containerised within Ireland. transported again as non­ transport increased too rapidly or containerised cargo. The reasons too greatly. In the late 1980s Irish Sugar and for this are that shippers become its subsidiary Sugar Distributors accustomed to shipping in smaller On the basis of the above analysis, Limited (SDL) sought to restrict but more frequent quantities and the Commission came to the competition from imports of sugar become accustomed to the fact that conclusion that the parties enjoyed from France and Northern Ireland once cargo has been loaded into a combined shares of the relevant by offering selectively low prices container, it is easier to ship markets of between forty and fifty to customers of an importer of onwards from the port of delivery percent. In view of the fact that French sugar, swapping Irish to the ultimate consignee using there is substantial through traffic Sugar's own Siucra brand of multimodal transport. in the Mediterranean, it was packaged sugar for an imported Containerised cargo is also much considered that such markets brand and offering selective more secure against pilferage. shares did not give the parties the "border" rebates to customers for possibility of eliminating packaged sugar that were located Thus, as the degree of competition. The Commission also close to the Northern Irish border. containerisation increases, concluded that the other three These practices formed part of a shippers of non­containerised conditions of Article 85(3) were policy of dividing markets and cargoes turn towards containerised satisfied for the reasons elaborated excluding competitors. Moreover, services but once those shippers in Regulation 870/95. wholesale and retail customers have become accustomed to (see also the Commission's press which did not receive selective shipping in containers they do not release : IP/97/357) low prices and rebates were placed revert to non­containerised at a competitive disadvantage in the retail sugar market. shipping. Such examples of one­ COMMISSION FINES IRISH SUGAR way substitutability are not FOR ABUSE OF ITS DOMINANT uncommon. POSITION ON THE IRISH SUGAR Since at least 1985 Irish Sugar has MARKET offered rebates on purchases of In less mature markets, such as the bulk sugar to industrial customers one affected by the JOS and On 14 May 1997, in a decision that export part of their final WC/Med Agreements, the degree which found that the company had product to other Member States. of containerisation is much less infringed Article 86 of the Treaty, These "sugar export rebates" vary and the transitional process by the Commission imposed a fine of between customers for the same which commodities become 8.8 million ECU on Irish Sugar tonnage of sugar and vary over transported exclusively in pic, a subsidiary of the Greencore time without any consistent containers is still under way. The Group. relationship to sales volumes or reasons for this include the currency changes. Both the substantial investments required to The decision against Irish Sugar practice of offering sugar export convert to containerisation and the concerns a series of infringements rebates and the ad hoc manner in fact that inland transport facilities since 1985. Irish Sugar is the sole which the scheme is administered are less sophisticated than in processor of sugar in the island of discriminates against customers mature markets. Ireland and has a share of over that supply only the Irish market 90% of the sugar market within and places them at a competitive Ireland. The decision states that disadvantage in their trading

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relations with third parties ­ one been recognised as abuses of a capacité des abattoirs, le PVV a Irish food processor is given a dominant position by the chargé le SSR de la mise en rebate to compete with a French European Court of Justice and that oeuvre du plan de restructuration. processor in France whereas they have taken place over a long Les prélèvements décrétés par le another Irish food processor period of time. PVV sont considérés comme des receives no rebate to compete with taxes. Les paiements du fonds that same French company on the ASSAINISSEMENT DU SECTEUR DE d'assainissement du secteur de Irish market. The system of rebates L'ABATTAGE DE BOVINS AUX PAYS­ l'abattage de bovins ont été on exports to other Member States BAS notifiés à la Commission comme also distorts the common sugar aide d'état. En décembre 1993 et regime. La Commission a formellement en juillet 1995, la Commission a rejeté des plaintes introduites par décidé de ne pas soulever Since 1993 Irish Sugar has sought trois abattoirs néerlandais. Ces d'objections à rencontre de ce to restrict competition from small entreprises se sont opposées programme d'aide. sugar packers within Ireland by notamment au prélèvement décrété Sur cette base, le SSR a finalisé discriminating against them in the par le Produktschap voor Vee en l'acquisition et la fermeture prices that it has charged for bulk Vlees ("PVV") pour financer le d'installations d'abattage néerlan­ sugar, thereby placing them at a fonds de compensation mis à la daises représentant 333.000 competitive disadvantage, notably disposition du Stichting abattages/an (abattages totaux aux vis à vis Irish Sugar itself. Irish Saneringsfonds Runderslachterijen Pays­Bas: 1,1 millions; abattages Sugar has also offered rebates to ("SSR"), prélèvement qui doit être totaux dans l'EU plus de 22 certain wholesalers and food payé par tous les abattoirs millions). retailers that have been dependent néerlandais. Le fonds de Les plaignants considèrent que les on increases in their purchases of compensation finance l'acquisition décisions du PVV et du SSR et les Irish Sugar's own Siucra brand, des installations d'abattage "non accords que cette dernière thereby making it difficult for rentables" et leur fermeture. association a conclus en vue de la small competitors to gain a Les faits de l'affaire et leur fermeture des installations d'abat­ foothold in the market. appréciation par la Commission tage, ont des effets anticon­ peuvent être résumés comme suit: currentiels et sont en infraction Through its infringements Irish Le PVV est un organisme semi­ avec l'article 85 § 1 du traité CE, Sugar has been able to maintain a public qui est habilité par la sans qu'il soit possible d'accorder significantly higher price level for législation néerlandaise à prendre, des exemptions. packaged retail sugar in Ireland dans l'intérêt public, des mesures Les décisions de rejet de plaintes compared with that in other contraignantes concernant le concluent qu'il n'y a pas lieu pour Member States, notably in secteur en cause. Les mesures la Commission, en fonction des Northern Ireland, and has been décrétées par le PVV entrent en éléments dont elle a connaissance, able to keep its ex­factory prices, vigueur après approbation d'intervenir à l'égard du compor­ particularly for bulk sugar for ministérielle. tement du PVV et du SSR mis en "domestic" Irish consumption, Le SSR est une association cause en vertu des dispositions de amongst the highest in the d'entreprises. Elle fut fondée par le l'article 85 § 1 du traité CE. Community, to the detriment of PVV et plusieurs abattoirs La particularité de l'affaire réside both industrial and final représentant la majorité de la dans le mélange entre action consumers in Ireland. capacité néerlandaise d'abattage de publique (plan de restructuration et bovins. aide d'état pour financer ce plan) In setting the level of the fine the Dans le cadre des règlements de et action privée dans le cadre des Commission took into account the nature publique qui ont pour but décisions prises par les autorités fact that the infringements d'assainir le secteur de l'abattage publiques. Cette particularité fait represent a serious breach of de bovins aux Pays­Bas, que l'affaire se distingue de la Community law, that several have notamment par une réduction de la pratique établie par la Commission

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en matière de cartels de crise unless it has a beneficial impact on the structurelle (voir 12ème Rapport Press releases relevant market. sur la politique de concurrence, THE COMMISSION IMPOSES THE In 1991, two of the parties notified the points 38 et ss.). DISSOLUTION OF UIP's PAY-TV agreements for UIP's distribution to Plus particulièrement, le plan DISTRIBUTION JOINT VENTURE pay television broadcasters, later joined de restructuration ainsi que son by MGM-Pathé in 1992. Earlier financement, arrêtés par des Following the intervention of the agreements had also been notified to règlements du PVV, sont des actes European Commission Directo-rate- the Commission. In 1993, the publiques et ne tombent pas, dès General for Competition, the parties European Commission's services to UIP Pay-TV, a joint venture lors, dans le champ d'application concluded that the agreements company created by a series of de l'art. 85 § 1 du traité CE. contained restrictions of competition agreements by the same parties in En ce qui concerne les décisions and therefore fall under the general UIP-BV, have agreed to dissolve the prohibition in Article 85(1) of the EC prises par le SSR et les accords branch of the company which is Treaty. The agreements limited the conclus par cette association active in the distribution of films parent companies from entering into d'entreprises en vue de la mise en produced by the three parent agreements with other distributors for oeuvre du plan de restructuration, companies, to pay-TV broadcasters. the distribution of their films. les plaignants n'étaient pas en The dissolution was necessary to Additionally, the requirement in the mesure de démontrer l'existence safeguard competition in the market franchise agreement that UIP must use d'effets sensibles sur la for the supply of programmes for its best efforts to maximise the gross concurrence dans les marchés pay-television transmission in the receipts from the pictures, suggested EU. The Commission's services now that the movies of one parent company pertinents (ceux des bovins de consider that these agreements, as must not be licensed to the detriment boucherie, des services d'abattage, modified, fulfil the conditions laid of the films of the other two parent des carcasses bovines et de la down in the Treaty. companies. viande bovine fraîche ou surgelée), attribuables au comportement en The most important changes, which The parties to the UIP BV joint cause du SSR. En effet, la affect only the EU territory, are the venture, which is based in The restriction de concurrence figurant following. Netherlands, are : Paramount Pictures dans les accords conclus avec des International (a division of Viacom abattoirs fermés résulte d'une UIP's parent companies will no longer International (Netherlands) B.V., a clause qui interdit à ces entreprises join forces to license or to market their subsidiary of Viacom Inc.); MGM de continuer et de reprendre leurs films for Pay-TV. The remaining UIP International B.V. (a subsidiary of activités pour une période de 30 Pay-TV operations will be brought to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.) and MCA ans. Or, la Commission a an end within 18 months, and UIP Pay International B.V. (a subsidiary of MCA Inc., 80 % owned by the notamment constaté que l'offre de TV will then be dissolved. The sole activities left will be the administration Seagram Company Limited). la viande bovine aux of altogether nine contracts. It is (IP/97/227) [1997-03-17] consommateurs communautaires anticipated that seven of these will n'était pas susceptible de subir, expire at the latest in 1999. As far as LA COMMISSION IMPOSE LA suite aux accords en question, des the remaining two long-term contracts DISSOLUTION DE UIP-PAY TV, modifications appréciables, ni en between UIP and broadcasters are COMPTOIR COMMUN DE VENTE DE ce qui concerne la quantité ou la concerned, the broadcaster will be FILMS, AUX CHAÎNES À PÉAGE. qualité, ni en ce qui concerne le given the option to "split" the prix. agreement into separate agreements A la suite de l'intervention de la with each of UIP's parent companies Direction Générale de la on the same commercial terms. Concurrence de la Commission The Commission services, in requiring Européenne, les entreprises-mères de the dissolution of UIP's activities in the UIP-Pay TV (comptoir commun de EU pay-television market, indicate that vente crée contractuellement entre it will not tolerate the joint selling and les mères de UIP-B.V.) ont accepté joint licensing by large enterprises la dissolution du service de cette within an anti-competitive structure, société chargé de la distribution aux chaînes à péage des films produits

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par ses entreprises-mères. Cette avaient également été notifiés à la The P&I Clubs members of the dissolu-tion était nécessaire à la Commission. En 1993, les services de International Group account for around préservation de la concurrence sur le la Commission sont parvenus à la 89% of the world-wide market for marché de la fourniture des conclusion que ces accords contenaient protection & indemnity (P&I) marine programmes aux chaînes à péage. des restrictions de concurrence, et insurance. This type of insurance Les services de la Commission tombaient donc sous le coup de la provides cover to shipowners against considèrent désormais que ces prohibition générale édictée par liabilities for contractual or third party accords, tels qu'ils ont été amendés, l'article 85(1) du Traité CE. Ces damages, such as oil pollution, crew or remplissent les conditions posées par accords limitaient en effet la liberté des passengers injury or collision with le Traité. entreprises-mères de confier other vessels. Several arrangements contractuellement la distribution de concluded within the International leurs films à d'autres distributeurs que Group allow the P&I Clubs to share the claims received from shipowners Les amendements les plus importants, UIP. En outre, aux termes de ces that exceed a certain amount. qui ne sont applicables que sur le accords, UIP devait s'employer à territoire de l'Union Européenne, sont maximiser les recettes brutes dégagées par l'ensemble de ces films; la portée les suivants: In 1985 the Commission granted some implicite de cette disposition était que of these arrangements a formal les films de l'une des entreprises-mères Les entreprises-mères de UIP Pay-TV exemption from EC competition rules ne devaient pas être distribués au cesseront de distribuer et de for ten years. Upon expiry of this détriment des films des deux autres commercialiser en commun leurs films exemption, the P&I Clubs requested its entreprises-mères. aux chaînes à péage. Il sera mis un renewal. The Commission launched a terme aux activités actuelles de UIP wide investigation, requesting Pay-TV dans un délai de 18 mois; UIP Les mères de la filiale commune, qui information from the main market Pay-TV sera alors dissoute. La seule est établie aux Pays-Bas, sont: players concerned (the International activité que conservera alors UIP Pay- Paramount Pictures International, qui Group, the individual P&I Clubs, TV consistera simplement à exécuter appartient à Viacom International brokers, re-insurers,...). Its aim was to neuf contrats, dont sept doivent expirer Netherlands B.V., elle même filiale de review how the claim-sharing en 1999 au plus tard. S'agissant des Viacom Inc.; MGM International B.V., arrangements had functioned since the deux autres contrats, dont le terme est filiale de Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.; adoption of the exemption decision. plus long, le radiodiffuseur se verra et MCA International B.V., filiale de laisser la possibilité de scinder son MCA Inc., détenue à 80 % par The Commission has now reached the contrat en plusieurs contrats distincts, à Seagram Company Limited. preliminary conclusion, embodied in a conclure individuellement, dans les (IP/97/227) [1997-03-17] statement of objections, that the mêmes conditions commerciales, avec arrangements concluded within the

chacune des entreprises-mères. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION INVITES International Group, while continuing THE INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF P&I to produce benefits for the maritime

CLUBS TO INCREASE COMPETITION industry and its customers, unduly En exigeant la dissolution des activités restrict competition between the P&I de UIP Pay-TV au sein du marché de BETWEEN ITS MEMBERS. Clubs in two main aspects: la télévision à péage, les services de la Commission font connaître leur On 2 June 1997 Mr. Karel van détermination à ne pas tolérer la vente Miert, the Commissioner responsible first, they oblige all the P&I Clubs et la distribution en commun, for competition, addressed a to offer the same level of cover, even if organisées entre grandes entreprises statement of objections to the a large number of shipowners wishes regroupées au sein de structures International Group of P&I Clubs, a to obtain substantially lower levels anticon-currentielles, si ces opérations world-wide association of marine than the ones offered at present (this ne se traduisent pas par un impact insurers, indicating that the was the object of the complaint from favorable sur le marché pertinent. arrangements concluded within this the Greek Shipping Cooperation association are in breach of EC Comittee, an association of shipowners) and En 1991, deux des entreprises-mères - competition rules. The Commission ralliées par MGM-Pathé en 1992 - ont could only grant an exemption from notifié les accords organisant la these rules if the International second, they impose limits to price distribution, par UIP, des films Group allows more competition competition between the P&I Clubs. produits par les entreprises-mères aux between its members. The Commission exempted some of chaînes à péage. Des accords antérieurs these limits in 1985, after amendments to the original International Group

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Agreement had been introduced. These part of the distribution companies' exclusive supply of electricity by amendments have not proved sufficient requirements to competition. This Electrabel will cease completely in to improve competition on prices opening could provide a major 2011. Thereafter all distribution between the P&I Clubs and, therefore, opportunity for several independent companies will be free to obtain the price limits can not be exempted as producers or for other European supplies from the supplier of their they stand today. producers who would be interested in choice; being active on the Belgian The International Group of P&I Clubs electricity market. from 2006 the exclusivity will be has the right to reply to the lifted for 25% of the distribution Commission's objections in writing and In addition the mixed distribution companies' requirements. Each of orally before the Commission adopts companies will be free from 2011 to them will have the right, after its final position on the case. obtain the whole of their requirements giving 4 years notice, to obtain Commissioner van Miert expressed his from suppliers of their choice. From from third parties a quantity of openness to engaging in a dialogue the same date the communes who wish electricity equivalent to 25% of its with the International Group to discuss to have a different partner in the total requirements for supply after alternative arrangements which could distribution company will be able to 2006. The electricity will be be exemptable. dissolve the company and seek a new constant supply ("baseload"), while (IP/97/493) partner. Electrabel will continue to supply the balance, including peak load supplies. The security of supply THE ELECTRABEL CASE: THE The proposals which have now been for the 25%, which the distribution COMMISSION OBTAINS SATIS-FACTION accepted by the Commission will be company may source from a third ON THE REVISION OF THE STATUTES OF brought into force as and when the party, will be guaranteed by the MIXED INTER-COMMUNAL ELECTRICITY mixed intercommunal companies hold supply or another producer DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES IN BELGIUM General Meetings. This process may prepared to provide this; take several months. On the initiative of Commissioner The file will be formally closed Electrabel will not oppose the Van Miert, who is responsible for dissolution of the distribution competition policy, the Commission without further action once all the amendments have been put into place. company after 2011, with full has decided to suspend the action compensation for Electrabel, if the which it had initiated against communes associated in the Electrabel and the mixed distribution The movement in favour of competition which has been introduced distribution company so decide; companies in Belgium regarding a into the new statutes following the possible infringement of the action of the Commission should the financial arrangements for the European competition rules. benefit domestic consumers and small Electrabel shares to be held by the and medium-sized undertakings communes will include provision The Commission's decision follows connected to the networks of the mixed to allow the communes protection the presentation by Electrabel - a distribution companies. At the same from any fall in the value of the subsidiary of Société Générale de time the Commission has been shares. Furthermore, these Belgique - active in the sector of concerned not to undermine the financial arrangements will come electricity production and principles of security and regularity of to an end at the same time as distribution and by Intermixt, the supply which are of particular Electrabel's remaining supply association whose members are the importance for the communes and to rights, in 2011. representatives of the communes in which the relevant authorities have the distribution companies, to meet been particularly attentive. The Commission's concerns over the the concerns raised by the new statutes Commission in 1996 regarding the Following several contacts between the adoption of new statutes (called Commission and the parties, a solution In the spring of 1996, the Commission "third generation statutes") by the was reached which the Commission began to look into the renewal of the distribution companies. finds satisfactory. The new statutes distribution companies' statutes and will be modified, in all three regions of sent Electrabel and Intermixt a letter The Commission is satisfied with this the country, so as to provide for the setting out its observations on several development which will allow from following changes: points: 2006 the opening of a significant the period of the new statutes, which would prolong for several

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years the duration of the distribution services (within the mixed concessions, by distribution themselves partnership between Electrabel and intercommunal company, Electrabel (régies), "pure" intercommunal the communes to between 20 and carries out the day­to­day distribution companies and "mixed" intercommunal 30 years depending on the functions). companies. distribution company concerned; The parties proposals will: Pure intercommunal companies can be a clause in the statutes granting established to associate communes in Electrabel the exclusive right to open up 25% of primary electricity carrying out in common a variety of supply the distribution company supply to mixed intercommunal activities of public interest. with the electricity required for companies after 2006. This should resale to its final consumers. This lead to an opening of around 1 000 Mixed intercomunal companies are an clause was to operate for the whole MW of baseload supply, which is association between communes and a duration of the new statutes, i.e. for the equivalent of about 5 private partner. In the case of 20 to 30 years; independent producers with distribution of electricity the private medium sized (200 MW) gas partner is in all cases Electrabel. certain aspects of the arrangements turbines or the equivalent of 1 Mixed intercommunal companies to permit communes to hold nuclear power station (900 MW); represent 82% of electricity "Electrabel" shares. distribution in Belgium. The lead to complete liberalisation of remaining 18% is distributed by pure The Commission concluded that the power supply to mixed intercommunal companies and by adoption of the new statutes could intercommunals after 2011 ; individual communes. involve infringements of Articles 85 and 86 of the EC Treaty. Article 85 provide the possibility for Intercommunals are regulated by a law prohibits agreements between communes to dissolve their dated 22 December 1986. Regional undertakings which have the object or intercommunal company after 2011 Decrees have also been adopted in this effect of restricting competition. subject to fair compensation to area, in particular in Wallonia, with the Article 86 prohibits abuses of dominant Electrabel. Decree dated 5 December 1996 which position. organises the operation of The Flemish authorities requested the interecommunal companies, whether The Commission invited Electrabel parties in September 1996 to limit the pure or mixed, which operate in the and Intermixt to make proposals to duration of the exclusive supply Wallon region. The competent modify the statutes, failing which it obligation to 2011. This amendment authorities in each region oversee the proposed to initiate a procedure in was not considered sufficient by the statutes and the activities of order to prohibit the new statutes. Commission which made contact with intercommunal companies so as to the Belgian Government in order to ensure that they operate within the law Former statutes, new statutes and avert them concerning any formal and not in a manner contrary to the proposed amendments approval on their part of a situation public interest. which appeared contrary to European Before 1996 mixed intercommunal competition law. TRANSPORT MARITIME companies had statutes with periods of CONSORTIUMS DE COMPAGNIES validity until between 1998 and 2022. Background MARITIMES DE LIGNE In 1996 new statutes were adopted simultaneously by all the mixed Mixed intercommunal distribution La Commission a autorisé le 9 janvier intercommunal companies (with the companies carry on their activities in 1997 un accord de consortium dans le exception of one). These new statutes partnership with Electrabel. The 17 secteur des transports maritimes. run until between 2016 and 2026 (20­ mixed intercommunal companies in 30 years duration). The Commission Belgium cover more than 500 Le 16 août 1995, trois compagnies took action because it considered that communes and over 80% of the maritimes, Finncarriers, Poseidon et the new statutes could contribute to electricity distributed in the country United Baltic Corporation ont introduit, foreclosing for a long period the supplying daily a population of more sur la base des articles 12 paragraphe 1 market for the supply of electricity to than 8 million des règlements N/1017/68 et N/ 4056/86 mixed intercommunal companies The distribution of electricity in du Conseil, une demande d'exemption (primary electricity which is resold by Belgium is the responsibility of the individuelle au titre de l'article 85(3) du the intercommunal company to its communes. They may organise traité pour l'accord instituant la customers) and the supply of distribution in different ways: through Conférence maritime de la Mer du Nord.

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Il s'agit d'un accord par lequel les parties ligne (consortiums) en vertu du Etablissements Métallurgiques assurent en commun des services règlement (CEE) n°479/92 du Champion SA réguliers par transbordeur pour le Conseil (JO L 89 du 21.01.1995, transport de divers types de cargaisons de p.7) IP/97/363 [1997­04­29] roulage et de cargaisons conteneurisées 2. JO C 310 du 19.10.1996, p.7 The European Commission authorises entre différents ports et localités de the acquisition by the Hoogovens Finlande et d'une part différents ports et Group of 50% of Usines Gustave Boel localités de Belgique et des Pays Bas et d'autre part différents ports et localités du Press releases IP/97/357 [1997­04­25] Royaume Uni et de là vers l'Irlande. Commission clears Liner Shipping The full texts of Commission 's Press Consortia (see page 11 of this issue) Cet accord, a bénéficié d'une exemption releases are available on-line from individuelle ne s'agissant pas d'un accord the RAPID database,on the day of IP/97/351 [1997­04­25] de consortium tombant dans le champ their pblication by ¡he Commission's ELECTRABEL: the European d'application du règlement d'exemption Spokesman's Sen'ice. RAPID is Commission obtains satisfaction on the par catégorie de la Commission available free of charge through the revision of the statutes of mixed concernant cette catégorie d'accords, le Commission 's EUROPA server on the intercommunal electricity distribution règlement n/ 870/95 du 20 avril 1995 ' World Wide Web. companies in Belgium (see page 16 of puisqu'il s'agit d'un consortium pour une this issue) large partie non conteneurisé. IP/97/511 [1997­06­11] Commission continues its investigation IP/97/292 [1997­04­11] Dans le délai de 90 jours qui lui était into the proposal of P&O and Stena to Settlement reached with Belgacom on imparti pour se prononcer après la merge their cross­Channel ferry the publication of telephone directories publication du contenu essentiel de la services ­ ITT withdraws complaint demande dans le Journal Officiel qui a eu lieu le 19 octobre 19962., la Commission IP/97/943 [1997­06­05] a estimé que les conditions de l'article The European Commission invites the 85(3) étaient remplies et ne s'est pas International Group of P&I Clubs to Judgments opposée à cet accord de sorte que les increase competition between its activités maritimes menées dans ce cadre members (see page 15 of this issue) Judgment of the Court of 17 June et relevant du règlement n/ 4056/86 sont 1997, Case C­70/95: Sodemare SA, exemptées pour une période de six ans et IP/97/420 [1997­05­20] Anni Azzurri Holding SpA and les activités terrestres relevant du Commission proposes full Anni Azzurri Rezzato Sri ν Regione règlement n/c 1017/68 qui étaient implementation of competition rules Lombardia. Reference for a mineures, sont exemptées pour une also to air transport between the Union preliminary ruling: Tribunale période de trois ans. and third countries amminstrativo regionale per la Lombardia ­ Italy. La Commission a en effet constaté que la IP/97/414 [1997­05­15] Order of the President of the Court coopération en question a accru The Commission authorizes the of 17 June 1997, Joined Cases C­ l'efficacité des opérations des parties et acquisition of joint control of both the 151/97 P(I) and C­157/97 P(I): leur a permis d'engager des RTE companies and SSM Coal B.V. National Power pic and PowerGen investissement; considérables en matière by SHV Deelnemingen Maatschappij pic ν British Coal Corporation and d'équipements spécialement adaptés aux B.V. and Rheinbraun Brennstoff Commission of the European conditions climatiques rencontrées en GmbH Communities. (Appeal). hiver dans la Baltique et aux besoins spécifiques des chargeurs finlandais se IP/97/405 [1997­05­14] Judgment of the Court of First trouvant dans des régions périphériques. Commission fines IRISH SUGAR for Instance (Second Chamber, (ΓΡ/97/12) abuse of its dominant position on the extended composition) of 12 June 1. Règlement (CE) n°870/95 de la Irish sugar market (see page 12 of this 1997, Case T­504/93: Commission, du 20 avril 1995, issue) Tiercé Ladbroke SA ν Commission concernant l'application de l'article of the European Communities. 85, paragraphe 3, du traité à IP/97/364 [1997­04­29] Action for annul­ment ­ Rejection of certaines catégories d'accords, de European Commission authorises the a complaint ­ Article 86 ­ Reference décisions et de pratiques concertées creation of Champion Profil joint market ­ Collective dominant entre compagnies maritimes de venture between ProfilARBED and position ­ Refusal of concession of a

Competition Policy Newsletter it -Ü Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 23 ύ Cr bit* c^ ANTI-TRUST RULES

transmission licence ­ Article 85 (1) ­ the time­limit notified to them ­ ­ Inadmissibility. Clause on Compatibility with Article 85(1) of Judgment of the Court (Fifth prohibition of retransmission. the EC Treaty of a fee levied on Chamber) of 24 April 1997,Case C­ suppliers who have concluded 39/96: Koninklijke Vereeniging ter Judgment of the Court (Sixth agreements relating to the delivery Bevordering van de Belangen des Chamber) of 5 June 1997, Case C­ of floricultural products to Boekhandels ν Free Record Shop 41/96: VAG­Händlerbeirat eV ν undertakings established on the BV and Free Record Shop Holding SYD­Consult. premises of a cooperative auction NV. Reference for a preliminary Reference for a preliminary ruling: society ­ Compatibility with Article ruling: Arrondissementsrechtbank Landgericht Hamburg ­ Germany. 85(1) of the EC Treaty of an Amsterdam ­ Netherlands. Article Article 85(3) of the EC Treaty ­ exclusive purchase obligation 85 of the EC Treaty ­ Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 123/85 ­ accepted by certain wholesalers Selective distribution system ­ reselling such products to retailers Council Regulation No 17 'Imperviousness' of the system as a in a specific trading area forming Provisional validity of agreements precondition for its enforceability part of the same premises ­ pre­dating Regulation No 17 and against third parties. Discrimination ­ Effect on trade notified to the Commission Judgment of the Court of First between Member States Provisional validity of agreements Instance (Second Chamber, Assessment by reference to a body of amended after notification. extended composition) of 14 May rules taken as a whole ­ 1997, Case T­77/94: Vereniging van Lack of appreciable effect. Groothandelaren in Bloemkwekerijprodukten, Florimex Judgment of the Court of First BV, Inkoop Service Aalsmeer BV Instance (Second Chamber, and M. Verhaar BV ν Commission extended composition) of 6 May of the European Communities. 1997, Case T­195/95: Competition ­ Closure of procedure Guérin Automobiles ν Commission on a complaint in the absence of a of the European Communities. response by the complainants within Competition ­ Action for damages

24 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 ■b* ^ JC1r bit* (^ ANTI-TRUST RULES

NOTICE

REVIEW OF THE COMMISSION'S POLICY TOWARDS HORIZONTAL CO-OPERATION AGREEMENTS

The Commission has consistently acknowledged that co-operation among firms, particularly between small and medium-sized enterprises, is in most cases economically desirable without presenting difficulties for competition policy. This is reflected, inter alia, in the existence of two block exemption regulations covering research and development (R&D) and specialisation. These two block exemption regulations are however due to expire soon and, as a preliminary to considering their future, we have decided to conduct a wider review of our policy on horizontal co-operation agreements in general. As part of this review, DG IV has launched a factual study to try to develop a better understanding of whether EC law in this area adequately addresses the needs of competition policy whilst reflecting today's economic realities.

To enable us to do this, we have drawn up a questionnaire which has been circulated widely to companies within the Community. We have also placed the questionnaire on DG IV's internet site at:

http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg04/entente/en/quesrev.htm

We should be grateful if any companies that are interested in this review and would like to contribute to our fact finding exercise could complete and return this questionnaire to us. It can either be downloaded as a Word document and returned via e-mail, or returned to us by post at the address below. Further copies of the questionnaire can also be obtained from thes address below. Could we have all responses by 29 August 1997 please.

The address to get the questionnaire and to send your replies by post is:

Review of Horizontal Co-operation Agreements c/o Mr Ali Nikpay C150 4/122 Rue de la Loi 200 Β-1049 Brussels BELGIUM Fax: 00322 296 9799

it -a Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 25 Competition Policy Newsletter ■b Cr bit* (^ MERGERS

Application of Council Regulation 4064/89 Main developments between 1st April and 23rd July 1997

achieve a combined aggregate Summary of the most important worldwide turnover of more than ECU 2500 million; and (b) in each recent developments of at least three Member States, a combined aggregate turnover Jean-Louis ARIBAUD, DG IV-B-1 exceeding ECU 100 million. Further provisions in Article 1 paragraph 3 state that a Community dimension applies where (c) in each of the three Member States included for the The second quarter of 1997 has of incompability with the common purpose of (b), each of at least two been concluded with an important market and order of divestiture). of the undertakings concerned event : on 30th June the Council Furthermore, one clearance achieve an aggregate turnover adopted Regulation No 1310/97 decision with undertakings under exceeding ECU 25 million; and (d) amending Regulation 4064/89 on Article 6(1 )(b) was taken each of at least two of the the control of concentrations (Lyonnaise des Eaux / Suez), as undertakings concerned achieve an between undertakings (s. OJ No L well as three decisions to initiate in aggregate Community-wide 180/1 - 09.07.1997). The reviewed depth "Phase 2" investigations Merger Regulation will enter into (The Coca-Cola Company / turnover of more than ECU 100 million. Finally, the 'two-thirds force on 1st March 1998. The Carlsberg, Guinness / Grand rule' laid down in Article 1 Council's final step concludes the Metropolitan and Siemens / paragraph 2 will also apply to extensive discussions which Elektrowatt). A further merger these new criteria. followed the submission of the case was the subject of a partial Commission proposal and mainly referral under Article 9 of the In the Amending Regulation the focused on the treatment of merger Regulation (Rheinmetall / British Council approved other important cases with significant cross-border Aerospace / STN Atlas). effect which would be subject to modifications aiming at an improvement of merger control notification in several Member MERGER REVIEW States, since they do not meet the proceedings in order to pursue a reduction of the constraints on the thresholds required for Taking into account the undertakings and to simplify the Commission jurisdiction. considerable efforts, costs and implementation of the control. The legal uncertainty created by amendments seek to ensure that The period between 1st April and multiple national filings of the the procedures and deadlines 30th July has also been marked by same transaction, the Council has foreseen by the Merger Regulation intensive activity with respect to decided to extend the scope of the will apply to every joint venture, the number as well as to the scope Merger Regulation in order to provided that they perform on a of the decisions taken in merger ensure a 'one-stop shop' system at lasting basis all the functions of an cases. The Commission took 64 the Community level. In addition autonomous economic entity. For decisions under the Merger to the current thresholds defined in cooperative joint ventures, an Regulation relating to 48 cases. Article 1 paragraph 2 of the appraisal under the criteria of This total included three decisions current Regulation (which remain Article 85 of the Treaty will also under Article 8 (Anglo American / unchanged), a new combination of take place at the same time as the Lonrho; British Telecom / MCI, criteria will thus apply to such dominance test. Furthermore, the Blokker / Toys 'R' Us and Boeing merger cases. Pursuant to Article 1 possibility for the merging parties / Mc Donnell Douglas) of which paragraph 3 of the reviewed to enter into commitments during three were clearances with Regulation, in 1998, concen­ the first stage of examination will conditions and obligations, and the trations will also have to be be explicitly foreseen. In the event third a 'double" decision under notified to the Commission where that such commitments will form Articles 8(3) and 8(4) (declaration (a) all the undertakings concerned

26 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 it ύ ■b Cr bit* (^ MERGERS

the basis for a clearance decision, the Dutch government under Blokker group. Moreover, through the first phase will be extended to Article 22 of the Merger the addition of the Toys 'R' Us six weeks, in order to facilitate the Regulation (cf. Competition sales formula to the existing assessment of the adequacy of the Newsletter of Spring 1997). Under Blokker formats, the latter would proposals by the Commission in this provision and contrary to the be able to obtain access to the liaison with the Member States. normal procedures under the important market segment of Additional modifications provide Merger Regulation, the implemen­ large­scale suburban retailing in for the simplification of the tation of the transaction is not which only Toys 'R' Us is active. conditions for a referral to the suspended during the examination. Therefore, the Commission competent authorities of the For this reason, the same decision concluded that the operation Member States is also noteworthy. under Article 8 of the Regulation, strengthened Blokker's dominant Under Article 9 (b), a case will be required Blokker to divest the position. referred on request from a Member Toys 'R' Us stores to an indepen­ State, where the affected market dent third party unconnected to the The divestiture order, based on does not form a substantial part of Blokker group. While this order certain proposals which the parties the common market. Having was designed to ensured that offered in the course of the concluded this review, the Com­ effective competition would be proceedings, includes the obliga­ mission is now in the process of restored on the market, the tion to start, as soon as practical, updating the implementation divestiture process was also negotiations with interested third Regulation No 3384/94, the Form intended to optimise the parties with a view to sell a CO and the interpretative possibility for the Toys "R" stores majority shareholding in the Dutch communication. to be sold to a third party. Toys 'R' Us business to an independent undertaking. The DECISIONS UNDER ARTICLE The relevant market in this case is acquirer must be unconnected to 8 OF THE REGULATION the market for retail outlets which the Blokker group and be able to sell a broad assortment of toys maintain and develop the Dutch Blokker/Toys'R'Us throughout the year in The Toys 'R' Us stores as a viable and Netherlands. The investigation active competitor to the Blokker On 26th June, the Commission concluded that prior to the group. Nevertheless, the decided that the acquisition by acquisition of the Dutch Toys 'R' Commission accepted that Toys Blokker in February 1997, of the Us stores, Blokker already had a 'R' Us and Blokker would each "mega" stores operated in The dominant position on the market retain a minority shareholding in Netherlands by Toys 'R' Us would of specialised toy outlets. the Toys 'R' Us business (not lead to the strengthening of Blokker's dominance results from exceeding 20 % each) in order to Β lokker's dominant position in the its significant market share (almost demonstrate their confidence in the Dutch market of specialised toy four times larger than that of its business and to ensure its outlets and, therefore, was nearest competitor) and the development into a viable incompatible with the common substantial advantage it enjoys by company. However, after a certain market. Blokker, one of the major operating different retail formulae, period of time or in any event as retail operators in The thus placing Blokker in a soon as desired by the interested Netherlands, is mainly active in gatekeeper position vis­à­vis third party, Blokker shall the retail trade of household suppliers with regard to access to completely cease its presence in articles, toys and other products. the retail market. Although the the Toys 'R' Us business. Toys 'R' Us, one of the world's operation led only to a small increase in market share, the largest toy retailers, became active Following this decision, effective Commission considered that the on the Dutch market in 1993. competition can be restored on the stores and the Toys 'R' Us concept market for specialised toy outlets have considerable market The detailed investigation was in The Netherlands, while opened following a request from potential, in particular within the optimising the possibility for a

Competition Policy Newsletter it it Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 27 ■b

continued presence of the Toys 'R' catalysts. Therefore, it considered agreement on the Commission's Us stores on the Dutch market. as appropriate to require a application of merger control reduction of AAC's shareholding policy, it should be noted that this Anglo American Corporation / in Lonrho to less than 10%, in decision was the first occasion on Lonrho order to remedy the adverse effect which the Commission has on competition in the markets for required the transfer and possible After the prohibition decision of platinum group metals. AAC was disposal of shares in a quoted 24th April 1996 in the case not required to sell its shares company as a remedy to its IV/M619 - Gencor/Lonrho, a immediately in order to allow it competition concerns. Moreover decision under Article 8 was time to negotiate a sale. However the decision reinforces the applied for the second time to the it had to transfer the shares to a Commission's consistent approach markets for platinum group metals. trustee in the intervening period, that a minority shareholding in a The first operation was rejected by during which time the shares could company may allow its holder to the Commission, since it would only be voted with the prior control the target by controlling a have created a position of approval of the Commission. After majority of votes at shareholders' duopolistic dominance in the AAC agreed to this solution, the meetings. markets for platinum and rhodium Commission decided to clear the (cf. Competition Newsletter vol.2 - case under Article 8(2) of the British Telecom/MCI n.2). This second case was notified Regulation, on 23th April of 1997. in 1996, as Anglo American The second decision under Article Corporation (AAC) acquired de A more obvious solution 8(2) of the Regulation was taken facto control over Lonrho within consisting of a disposal of on 14th May, four months after the the meaning of the Merger Lonrho's platinum operations was launch of a "2nd phase" in depth- Regulation, by way of purchase of excluded because Lonrho was investigation. The Commission's a shareholding amounting to 28%. unable to sell its platinum business initial inquiry gave rise to serious The Commission decided to to any company other than concerns with respect to the initiate a detailed investigation in Gencor, which would not have positions of both British Telecom December 1996 (cf. Competition been acceptable, given the (BT), the UK-based supplier of Newsletter of Autumn/end 1996), previous prohibition decision in telecommunications services and since serious concerns arose due to the Gencor / Lonrho case. equipment and MCI, the US-based the fact that both Anglo and However, in the event that Lonrho diversified communications Lonrho control platinum mines. would sell its platinum business to company in the markets for a third party, unconnected to international voice telephony The investigation came to the Gencor or Anglo, or should services on the UK-US route and conclusion that the companies' Gencor's application to the Court for audioconferencing services in market shares, their low-cost of First Instance be upheld, the UK (cf. Competition reserves and the likely decrease of resulting in a sale of Lonrho's Newsletter vol.3 - n.l). Russia's market position in the platinum division to Gencor, then future, would have led to a Anglo's shares in Lonrho would After investigation the combined Anglo/Lonrho having be returned by the trustee. Commission concluded that, given an estimated world market share the current capacity shortage in for platinum production in excess This decision maintains the strict existing international transmission of 60% in a few years' time. application of European facilities between the UK and the Despite the relatively small size of competition rules to the platinum US, as well as the parties' the parties' operations in platinum sector and permits the three South significant capacity entitlements business relative to the size of their African platinum producers - on existing transatlantic submarine overall activities, the Commission Anglo, Lonrho and Gencor - to cables, the merger would have was mindful of the importance of continue to exist separately. As created or reinforced a dominant platinum as a raw material for regards the impact of the position in the market for

28 Competition Policy Newsletter Cr * Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 -ir Cr **. Jb bit* (^ MERGERS

international voice telephony However, the Commission wide), the size of its fleet in services on the UK-US route, since considered that the undertakings service (60% world-wide), and the for technical reasons satellites do proposed by the parties during the fact that it is the only manufacturer not currently provide a satisfactory proceedings were sufficient to that offers a complete family of substitute that would be likely to address the competition concerns aircraft. This position cannot be compete with cable in the supply envisaged in the above mentioned challenged by potential new of international voice telephony markets and therefore declared the entrants, given the extremely high services at the required quality and merger compatible with the barriers to entry in this hugely performance standards. As a result common market, subject to the capital intensive market. Boeing's of the merger, BT/MCI would condition of the parties' full dominance was further have been able to carry UK-US compliance with the following demonstrated by the recent traffic over its own end-to-end commitments, which must be conclusion of long-term exclusive international transmission monitored by the Commission. supply deals with three of the facilities, thereby internalising the The parties agreed (i) to make world's leading carriers, payments which any other available to new operators in the American, Delta and Continental télécoms operator would have had UK, without delay and at Airlines, who would have been to make to a foreign correspondent reasonable prices all of their unlikely to lock themselves into carrier in order to have outgoing current and prospective twenty year agreements with a international calls terminated in overlapping capacity on the UK- supplier who did not already the destination country. US route resulting from the merger dominate, and seemed likely to Furthermore, the combination of on the transatlantic cable; (ii) to continue to dominate, the large jet BT's and MCI's cable capacities sell BT's capacity which is aircraft market. would have allowed the merged currently leased to other operators entity to further restrict or control on the UK-US route at their The most immediate reinforcement the opportunities of entry faced by request and on reasonable terms of Boeing's dominance in large the new prospective operators and conditions; (iii) to sell to other commercial jet aircraft would arise which were granted an operators, at their request and through Boeing's increase in international facilities license in without delay, Eastern end overall market share (in terms of the UK. matched half circuits currently current order backlog) from 64% owned by BT to enable them to to 70%. Moreover, Boeing could The impact of the merger on the provide international voice add to its already existing UK market for audioconferencing telephony services on the UK-US monopoly in the largest wide-body services was also carefully route on an end-to-end basis; and aircraft segment (the segment of examined, taking into account (iv) to arrange for the divestiture the Boeing 747) a further both the parties' very high of MCI's audioconferencing monopoly in the smallest narrow- combined market share (over 80%) business in the UK. body segment. as well as the specific features of The Commission recognised that this market, where newcomers Boeing / McDonnell Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company (DAC, experience difficulties in their the commercial aircraft division of attempt to establish themselves on After an intensive five-month MDC) had suffered a decline in its the market by challenging the investigation, the Commission business performance in recent reputation and proven record of found that Boeing, a fully years. Nevertheless, Boeing itself both BT and MCI. For these integrated civil and military declared that it would be able to reasons the Commission aerospace company, already had a benefit from DAC's remaining concluded that the merger was dominant position in the world• competitive potential. The likely to create or reinforce a wide market for large commercial acquisition of such an advantage dominant position in the UK jet aircraft. Boeing's existing constitutes a strengthening of a audioconferencing market. dominance stems from its very dominant position under EU law. high market share (64% world•

ώ Competition Policy Newsletter ^* ** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 29 Cr * ■b ir **. Jb (^ bit* MERGERS

Another vital element in the defence and space business. The interested in acquiring DAC from strengthening of Boeing's acquisition of the world's number Boeing, nor was it possible to find dominance would result from the two defence manufacturer and a potential entrant to the large increase of Boeing's leading manufacturer of military commercial jet aircraft market who customer base, from 60% to 84% aircraft would considerably might achieve entry through the of the current world-wide fleet in enhance Boeing's access to acquisition of DAC. In view of the service. By ensuring preferential publicly-funded R&D and impossibility of a divestment of access to this customer base, intellectual property. The large DAC, Boeing commits itself to Boeing would increase increase in Boeing's defence- maintain DAC as a separate legal opportunities for future sales related R&D would confer an entity for a period of ten years and through significant leverage over increase in know-how and other to supply to the Commission existing MDC aircraft users general advantages as well as an reports, publicly available and (through customer support services increase in the benefits obtained certified by an independent for example). Closer ties with from the transfer of military auditor, on DAC's results. those airlines that currently use technology to commercial aircraft. Moreover, Boeing proposes to MDC aircraft would give Boeing The combination of Boeing's and limit the leverage effect created by the opportunity to better identify MDC's know-how and patent MDC's existing fleet, by and influence customer needs, or portfolio would be a further committing itself not to link the to induce them to change their element for the strengthening of sale of Boeing aircraft to its access current MDC aircraft for Boeing Boeing's dominance. Moreover, to the DAC fleet in service. As far models. In particular, Boeing the overall combination of both as exclusive deals are concerned, could use this leverage to induce the civil and defence and space Boeing commits itself to refrain airlines to enter into long term activities of the two companies from further such deals until 2007, exclusive deals. Boeing has would increase Boeing's and not to enforce the exclusivity rights in the existing contracts. On already entered into exclusive bargaining power vis-à-vis the overall effects, Boeing has agreements with airlines which are suppliers, enabling Boeing to offered to concede to competitors the first, third and fourth largest leverage its relationships with non-exclusive licenses for patents, operators of MDC aircraft. Prior to suppliers to the detriment of its together with underlying know- these agreements, exclusivity deals competitors. of this kind had never been used in how, held by Boeing arising from publicly-financed R&D. this industry. The proposed merger Boeing has proposed remedies, would further enhance Boeing's with a view to resolving the Moreover, Boeing commits itself capability to enter into similar reinforcement of the dominant to provide to the Commission, for exclusive agreements in the future, position resulting from the a period of 10 years, an annual and could create a knock-on effect combination of the competitive report on "non-classified" on other large airlines which could potential of DAC with Boeing's aeronautical projects in which it be induced to enter into similar dominant position, from the participates, and which benefit deals. increased opportunity for from public financing. These exclusive contracts, which have a commitments will increase Although the Commission's foreclosure effect on the market, transparency of links between civil investigation did not lead it to and from the overall effects and military activities. Finally conclude that the proposed merger ("spillover") arising from military Boeing commits itself not to profit would create or strengthen operations, in particular research from its relationships with dominance in the defence or space and development, on large suppliers in order to obtain sectors, the Commission considers commercial jet aircraft activities. preferential treatment. This that Boeing's dominant position As far as the first point is package of remedies, taken as a on the civil aircraft market would concerned, the Commission's whole, addresses the competition be significantly strengthened as a investigations revealed that no problems identified by the result of the addition of MDC's existing aircraft manufacturer was Commission, and the Commission

30 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * Cr bit* MERGERS

has therefore decided to declare IMPORTANT DECISIONS and the creation of dominant the operation compatible with the UNDER ARTICLE 6 OF THE position in non-cola soft drinks in common market. REGULATION Denmark. Furthermore, detailed In accordance with the Agreement investigation was deemed between the European Coca-Cola / Carlsberg necessary to verify whether a Communities and the Government dominant position would be of the United States of America On 2nd May, the Commission reinforced in the Swedish cola regarding the application of their decided to initiate a detailed market. competition laws, the European investigation into the creation of a Commission and the Federal Trade joint venture and the transfer of Because of concerns that the Commission carried out assets between The Coca-Cola merged company would have an consultations. The Commission Company and Carlsberg. In the adverse effect on competition in took into account concerns first stage, the operation only the Danish and Swedish soft drink expressed by the U.S. Government affects Denmark and Sweden but markets, the Commission therefore relating to important US defence will be extended, in the future, to decided to initiate the "second interests. The Commission took cover the whole of the Nordic and phase" four month investigation the US Government's concerns Baltic regions. The operation into the effects of the operation. A into consideration to the extent concerns an amalgamation of the final decision is expected by the consistent with EU law, and companies' soft drinks activities in 12th of September. limited the scope of its action to these regions, as well as certain the civil side of the operation, licence agreements and a Guinness / Grand Metropolitan including the effects of the merger distribution joint venture with the on the commercial jet aircraft Swedish brewer Falcon, which is On 16 May, Guinness PLC market resulting from the jointly owned by Carlsberg and ("Guinness") and Grand combination of Boeing's and the Finnish brewing company Metropolitan PLC ("GrandMet") MDC's large defence and space Sinebrychoff. notified their intention to merge all interests. of their business activities into a In a recent decision, the new entity. Guinness's principal Finally, the Commission reached Commission defined a relevant business activities are in the its decision after a rigorous product market for cola flavoured distilling and marketing of analysis based on EU merger carbonated soft drinks (colas), Scottish whisky ("Scotch") and control law, and in accordance distinct from other soft drinks (cf. other spirits, and the brewing and with its own past practice and the Competition Newsletter of Spring marketing of beer. Grand Met is a jurisprudence of the European 1997). In this case, the market UK group with a portfolio of Court. The Commission stated that shares of the parties are more than interests in the food and beverages it expected Boeing to comply fully 60% in the Danish cola market, sector. By sales volume GrandMet with its decision, in particular as more than 50% in an overall and Guinness are respectively the regards the commitments made by Danish carbonated soft drink first and second largest suppliers Boeing to resolve the competition market, more than 40% in non- of spirits in the world, and the problems identified by the cola soft drinks in Denmark, and second and third largest operators Commission. Therefore, the above 70% in the Swedish cola in the EU. Each party owns a Commission will strictly monitor market. number of leading international Boeing's compliance with these brands. The new company's commitments. The EU Merger Given in particular the high market worldwide turnover would be over Regulation allows for appropriate shares, the Commission did not twice that of its two next largest measures to be taken by the exclude after preliminary inquiry, competitors (Seagram of Canada Commission in the event of non­ that the operation would lead to and Allied Domecq of the UK). compliance by Boeing. the strengthening of a dominant position in the Danish cola market,

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On 6th June the Commission second-phase examination period, by the Commission, as they decided to continue its until 27 October 1997, in which to offered clear structural remedies to investigation into the proposed complete its investigation and take address the identified competition merger, which would result in the a final decision on the case. problems. creation of the world's largest company in the alcoholic Lyonnaise-des-Eaux / Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux on the one beverages industry. The hand committed to divest most of Commission expressed several In May 1997, the French groups its interests in the sector of concerns, including the significant Lyonnaise des Eaux and disposal and cleaning services in overlaps resulting from the Compagnie de Suez proposed to Belgium. On the other hand, the proposed merger, and the large merge their activities into a new parties agreed that either Suez or portfolio of leading brands which entity, which becomes one of Lyonnaise des Eaux would sell its would be brought together. The France's largest industrial groups, interests in the treatment of Commission found that the notably active in the utility sector. industrial waste in Belgium. The merged entity would result in After preliminary examination, the decision provides further for the significant overlaps in the spirits Commission concluded that the means for a rapid divestiture, sector, with combined market transaction did not rise any under the monitoring of the shares of over 40% in the whiskey competitive concerns in most of Commission. sector in certain European national the numerous markets concerned markets. Furthermore the parties since, either only one of the REFERRAL UNDER ARTICLE would own such a share of whisky merging parties was active on the 9 OF THE REGULATION distilleries in Scotland that they respective markets (such as might be able to influence the industry, mining, finance for Suez; Rheinmetall / British Aerospace / market position of their or media for Lyonnaise), or both STN Atlas competitors, as well as their groups were active on distinct pricing strategies. The merger geographic markets (such as This case was subject to both a could also result in significant energy, water supply, cable TV), partial referral limited to the overlaps in white spirits, in or the effect on the markets affected markets for systems particular gin and vodka, in some remained limited (such as on leadership for armoured vehicles, national markets. construction, property and a clearance under Article development, engineering or 6(1 )(b) of the Regulation, for the The Commission was also others). remaining aspects of the concerned that the merger would However, the Commission found concentration. Rheinmetall AG, a provide the parties, due to their that the impact of the German holding company active ownership of a significant number concentration in the sector of in machine tools, civil electronics, of leading brands across a range of waste management in Belgium automobile and military different spirit categories, with was likely to raise serious doubts, technology, proposed to acquire - such a portfolio of 'must stock' in spite of the minor interest of the together with the UK company brands as to provide a significant parties in this market, as compared British Aerospace Pic - joint reinforcement of their bargaining to their overall activities. The control over STN Atlas Elektronik position with their customers, Commission concerns, related to GmbH (STN). The German whether wholesalers or retailers. It the treatment of industrial waste, company STN manufactures was not excluded at this stage that household garbage disposal and as products for marine technology the merger would give rise to a industrial cleaning services, would and naval electronics, as well as dominant position in one or more have justified the opening of an in- systems and simulation of the markets concerned. depth investigation. However the technology. parties proposed undertakings With its decision under Article during the first phase of In the context of the competitive 6(1 )(c), the Commission entered a examination, which were accepted assessment the Commission

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examined the markets for systems At the same time the Commission IP/97/574 [1997-06-27] leadership for armoured vehicles, reached the conclusion that, apart Commission approval for the marine technology, systems from these markets, the proposed acquisition of TH. Goldschmidt AG by technology and short range air concentration would not lead to Viag defence systems. With the the creation or strengthening of a IP/97/557 [1997-06-24] exception of the markets for dominant position and therefore Commission clears the acquisition by systems leadership, there were no declared it compatible with the ICI of the Specialty Chemicals geographic overlaps, no market common market with the Division of Unilever share additions and no vertical exception of the aspects foreclosure effects on the markets mentioned. IP/97/556 [1997-06-24] mentioned. All relevant product Commission authorises the acquisition markets are markets for military by Deutsche Bank and Dresdner Bank technology which the Commission of joint control of ESG EDV-Service- has traditionally characterized as Press releases Gesellschaft für Hypothekenbanken IP/97/548 [1997-06-23] national markets, because such Commission opens in depth enquiry on markets have traditionally only IP/97/644 [1997-07-14] Guinness/Grand Metropolitan merger been accessible to a marginal Commission authorises a joint venture between Cable & Wireless and Maersk extent to foreign competition. IP/97/547 [1997-06-20] Data The Commission authorises the acquisition of joint control by Bank of The German competition authority IP/97/630 [1997-07-09] America and General Electric on the based its request for the referral of union Bank - Nimit International SA Spanish Company Cableuropa the case on the concern that the merger : not within the scope of the concentration threatened to create merger Regulation says the European IP/97/542 [1997-06-19] a dominant position of Commission Commission clars acquisition of APV Rheinmetall as a systems leader by SIEBE for armoured vehicles on the IP/97/606 [1997-07-03] The Commission authorises the German market. Integration of IP/97/541 [1997-06-19] creation of a joint-venture by Rhône- STN into the Rheinmetall group Commission approves the creation of Poulenc and Merck would give Rheinmetall access to TARGOR, a joint venture between HOECHST and BASF for such resources as command, IP/97/599 [1997-07-03] polypropylene control and information systems Commission approves joint venture which is crucial for the between Munich Re and three French IP/97/525 [1997-06-17] development and construction of insurance companies The Commission approves a armoured vehicles. In the course of concentration in the sectors of retail its investigation, the Commission IP/97/592 [1997-07-01] grocery and "do it yourself' in Italy received complaints from market Commission clears acquisition of the German company SPAR Handels AG participants which expressed IP/97/519 [1997-06-13] by the French group ITM concerns similar to those of the Commission clears the acquisition by Bundeskartellamt. Given the fact Abeille Vie of sole control of Société IP/97/591 [1997-07-01] that the risk of the creation of a d'Epargne Viagère and Sinafer Commission approves the acquisition dominant position of Rheinmetall of joint control of Crediop by the IP/97/518 [1997-06-13] on this circumscribed market in banking groups Dexia and San Paolo Germany could not be eliminated, The Commission clears the creation of a joint venture between Vallourec and the Commission decided to refer IP/97/575 [1997-06-27] Timet the case to the Bundeskartellamt as Commission authorises the acquisition far as this aspect of the operation by Ferrostaal AG of Sole Control of IP/97/517 [1997-06-12] DSD Dillinger Stahlbau GmbH is concerned. Commission approves Stet holding in Mobilkom Austria

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IP/97/516 [1997-06-12] "Our analysis of the Boeing-Mc Voith GmbH by Deutsche Bank and The Commission clears acquisition of Donnell Douglas file is conducted Commerzbank Hoechst AG's specialty chemicals strictly on the basis of the European business by Clariant Merger Regulation, and nothing else" IP/97/338 [1997-04-23] Mr Karel van Miert says European Commission clears Anglo IP/97/505 [1997-06-10] American's purchase of Lonrho shares The European Commission authorises IP/97/398 [1997-05-13] subject to the stakes being reduced to the acquisition of AST by SAMSUNG Commission clears the creation of a less than 10% byt considers imposing a fine for late joint venture in the consumer credit filing sector IP/97/329 [1997-04-22] Commission approves the acquisition IP/97/498 [1997-06-06] IP/97/392 [1997-05-06] of sole control of Mannesmann Hoesch Commission clears acquisition by Commission clears the acquisition by Präzisrohr GmbH by TYCO of ADT in the fire and security Teseo of ABF's businesses in the Irish Mannesmannrorhren-Werke alarm sector retail sector IP/97/325 [1997-04-18] IP/97/496 [1997-06-05] IP/97/385 [1997-05-06] Kesko Oy fulfills Commission order to Commission gives green light to The Commission adopts revised divest the daily consumer goods merger between Compagnie de Suez fuidelines for state aid in the maritime business of Tuko Oy and Lyonnaise des Eaux transport sector IP/97/318 [1997-04-17] IP/97/494 [1997-06-05] IP/97/386 [1997-05-05] Commission approves joint venture The Commission approves the European Commission initiates creating second national acquisition of the sole control by detailed investigation into the creation telecommunications operator in Worms & Cie of the Group Saint- of a joint venture between the Coca- Switzerland Louis Cola Company and Carlsberg IP/97/288 [1997-04-10] IP/97/488 [1997-06-04] IP/97/381 [1997-05-02] The Commission authorises the The Commission clears the acquisition The Commission approves the acquisition of control by Rheinbraun of 21% of Vallourec by acquisition by Tenneco of the Brennstoff GmbH of Agenzia Carboni Mannesmannröhren-Werke and the Protective Packaging and Flexible S.r.l. establishment of a joint venture Packaging Divisions of KNP BT combining their seamless tube IP/97/268 [1997-04-03] activities IP/97/376 [1997-04-30] Commission approves joint-venture Commission authorises Siemens' between Cereol and Osat IP/97/476 [1997-06-03] acquisition of holding in HUF Hochtief and Deutsche Bank withdraw IP/97/267 [1997-04-03] their notification to the Commission IP/97/353 [1997-04-25] Commission declares RSB regarding their acquisition of joint The Commission refers the case PSG/TENEX nuclear forwarding joint control over Philipp Holzmann Rheinmetall/British Aerospace/STN venture not to be a concentration under Atlas to the Bundeskartellamt as far as the EC Merger Regulation IP/97/417 [1997-05-16] the affected markets for systems The Commission authorises the joint leadership for armoured vehicles are venture between Warner Bros, concerned and otherwise clears the Lusomundo and Sogecalge to develop planned concentration multiplex cinemas in Spain IP/97/352 [1997-04-25] IP/97/406 [1997-05-14] Commission clears franchise of UK The Commision clears the BT-MCI privatised Thameslink Railway merger subject to full compliance with Network specific undertakings submitted by the parties IP/97/345 [1997-04-24] The Commission approves the IP/97/400 [1997-05-13] acquisition of joint control of J.M.

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Application of Article 90 EC Main developments between 1st April and 15th July 1997

Libéralisation et interventions étatiques "CONSIDERANT que la Application de l'article 90 du Traité CE radiodiffusion de Service Public dans les Etats membres est directement liée aux besoins Résumé des développements les plus démocratiques, sociaux et culturels de chaque société ainsi récents, premier semestre 1997 qu'à la nécessité de préseiver le pluralisme dans les médias,

José-Luis BUENDÍA SIERRA, DG IV-A-1 "SONT CONVENUES des dispositions interprétatives ci- après, qui sont annexées au traité instituant la Communauté LE PROJET DE TRAITÉ qu'occupent les services d'intérêt européenne : D'AMSTERDAM ET LA POLITIQUE économique général parmi les COMMUNAUTAIRE DE CONCURRENCE valeurs communes de l'Union ainsi qu'au rôle qu'ils jouent dans la "Les dispositions du présent traité sont sans préjudice de la Le projet de Traité d'Amsterdam, promotion de la cohésion sociale compétence des Etats membres de tel que adopté par la Conférence et territoriale de l'Union, la pourvoir au financement du Inter-Gouvernamentale, contient Communauté et ses Etats Service Public de radiodiffusion plusieurs textes qui se réfèrent aux membres, chacun dans les limites dans la mesure où ce financement relations entre les services publics de leurs compétences respectives est accordé aux organismes de nationaux et les règles et dans les limites du champ radiodiffusion aux fins de communautaires de concurrence. Il d'application du présent traité, l'accomplissement de la mission de s'agit surtout du nouvel article 7D veillent à ce que ces services Service Public telle qu'elle a été sur les services d'intérêt fonctionnent sur la base de conférée, définie et organisée pat- économique général. Cet article est principes et dans des conditions chaque Etat membre et à condition accompagné d'une déclaration ad qui leur permettent d'accomplir que ce financement n'altère pas les hoc, d'un protocole sur le Service leurs missions. " conditions des échanges et de la Public de la radiodiffussion et concurrence dans la Communauté d'une déclaration sur les Déclaration à insérer dans l'Acte dans une mesure qui serait institutions publiques de crédit en final contraire à l'intérêt commun, étant Allemagne. Ces textes sont entendu que la réalisation du analysés par Mr. VAN MIERT "Les dispositions de l'article 7 D mandat de ce Service Public doit dans un article publié dans ce relatives aux services publics sont être prise en compte. " même numéro du Newsletter. mises en oeuvre dans le plein respect de la jurisprudence de la Services d'intérêt économique Cour de justice, en ce qui Etablissements de crédit de droit général concerne, entre autres, les public en Allemagne principes d'égalité de traitement, La déclaration suivante a été Un nouvel article 7D concernant ainsi que de qualité et de les "services d'intérêt économique continuité de ces services. " adoptée par la Conférence: général" et une déclaration dans "La conférence prend l'Acte finale ont été adoptés. Service Public de radiodiffusion connaissance de l'avis de la Commission, qui estime que les Article 7D Le protocole interprétatif suivant a règles de concurrence en vigueur été adopté par la conférence: dans la Communauté permettent "Sans préjudice des articles 77, "LES HAUTES PARTIES de prendre pleinement en compte 90 et 92, et eu égard à la place CONTRACTANTES,

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les services d'intérêt économique communication sur les services programme sur le réseau de général assurés en Allemagne pal• d'intérêt général en Europe ont été télédistribution en Flandre et à les établissements de crédit de largement atteints. Bruxelles. droit public, ainsi que les avantages qui leur sont accordés Média La décision de la Commission en compensation des coûts estime que l'octroi à VTM du inhérents à ces prestations. A cet Décision de l'article 90.3 adressée à monopole de la publicité télévisée égard, cet Etat membre demeure la Belgique concernant le monopole destinée au public flamand constitue compétent pour déterminer de publicité conféré par la une violation de l'article 90 en comment il donne aux collectivités Communauté flamande à la chaîne liaison avec l'article 52 du Traité territoriales les moyens de remplir de télévision VTM dans la mesure où ce monopole leur mission, qui est d'offrir, dans équivaut à exclure tout opérateur les régions qui relèvent de leur La Commission a adopté le 26 juin originaire d' un autre Etat membre, juridiction, une infrastructure une décision qui déclare qui voudrait s'installer en Belgique financière efficace couvrant incompatible avec les articles 90 et afin de transmettre sur le réseau de l'ensemble du territoire. Ces 52 du Traité CE le droit exclusif télédistribution belge des messages avantages ne doivent pas porter conférée en matière de publicité de publicité télévisée destinés au atteinte aux conditions de télévisée à la chaîne privée VTM. Ce public flamand. Le fait que les concurrence dans une mesure qui droit exclusif avait été accordé à dispositions en cause s'appliquent dépasse ce qui est nécessaire à VTM notamment par décisions de indistinctement tant à l'égard des l'exécution des missions l'exécutif flamand de novembre entreprises autres que VTM, établies particulières et qui va à l'encontre 1987 et décembre 1991, sur la base en Belgique, qu'à l'égard des des intérêts de la Communauté. " des dispositions de la législation entreprises originaires d'autres Etats flamande sur les média, qui limitent membres n'est pas de nature à Appréciation d'ensemble à une seule société non publique le exclure le régime préférentiel dont droit de s'adresser à l'ensemble de la bénéficie VTM du champ Ainsi qu'il découle de l'analyse Communauté flamande et de diffuser d'application de l'article 52 du Traité. réalisée par Mr. VAN MIERT, les de la publicité. résultats de la CIG semblent plutôt La Commission estime que dans la satisfaisants pour la politique de La procédure de la Commission a présente affaire, il n'existe pas de concurrence ' ' . Les textes adoptés être engagée à la suite d'une plainte raisons impérieuses d'intérêt général, confirment dans une très large déposée par la chaîne VT4 Ltd., au sens de la jurisprudence de la mesure les règles de fond organisme de télévision privée Cour, telles que des objectifs de existantes et les pouvoirs de anglaise, qui fait partie du groupe politique culturelle qui pourraient contrôle de la Commission. Ceci, audiovisuel Scandinavian Broad• justifier le monopole de VTM. ensemble avec le fait que casting System. Pai' arrêté de janvier l'attachement communautaire aux 1995 du Ministre des affaires Les objectifs de politique culturelle objectifs d'intérêt général ait été culturelles, VT4 s'est vu refuser invoqués par l'exécutif flamand davantage explicité, implique que l'accès au réseau câblé flamand, en (maintien du pluralisme dans la les objectifs que la Commission raison du monopole de VTM et du presse écrite flamande via les recettes s'était marqué dans sa fait que pour les autorités flamandes publicitaires de VTM, dont les VT4 ne serait qu'un organisme actionnaires sont des éditeurs de flamand qui se serait établi au 1 quotidiens flamands) ne peuvent être ' Voir Karel VAN MIERT : "La Royaume-Uni afin de se soustraire à poursuivis par des moyens qui Conférence intergouverne• l'application de la législation de la reviennent à éliminer toute mentale et la politique Communauté flamande. Le Conseil concurrence et qui, de surcroit, ne communautaire de concur• d'Etat a cependant suspendu l'arrêté à donnent aucune garantie quant à rence", pp. 1 à 5 de ce la demande de VT4, qui a pu ainsi l'affectation des recettes publicitaires numéro. commencer à distribuer son au soutien des journaux.

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En effet, ces recettes, qui sont accordées aux Etats membres avec Rapport sur la mise en oeuvre du réparties entre les actionnaires de la des réseaux moins développés ou cadre réglementaire des télécom• presse écrite en fonction du de très petits réseaux). munications dans TUE pourcentage qu'ils détiennent dans le capital de VTM, pourraient tout En parallèle, le Parlement et le La Commission européenne a aussi bien être affectées à des Conseil sont en train de finaliser un approuvé le 29 mai un rapport sur activités dépourvues de toute finalité premier train de mesures l'état de la mise en oeuvre par les culturelle. En outre, il n'est pas exclu d'harmonisation visant à créer un États membres du cadre que le capital de VTM puisse se marché européen fondé sur des réglementaire des concentrer dans les mains d'un seul principes communs pour l'accès aux télécommunications. Avant la actionnaire au détriment de la réseaux et aux services, un libéralisation totale, prévue pour le préservation du pluralisme dans le environnement réglementaire 1er janvier 1998, du marché des secteur des médias. Ainsi, alors qu'à commun et des normes harmonisées télécommunications de l'Union, la l'origine VTM était composée de 9 pour les services et les technologies: Commission veut s'assurer que les actionnaires, seuls trois groupes, à le 10 avril 1997, le Conseil et le États membres ont satisfait aux savoir Persgroep NV, Roularta Parlement européens ont adopté une obligations que leur imposent la Mediagroep et les filiales belges du directive établissant un cadre législation de l'Union européenne et groupe néerlandais VNU, demeurent commun pour les régimes de l'accord de l'Organisation mondiale à l'heure actuelle. licences. Une directive précisant les du commerce sur les services de principes applicables à télécommunications de base. Le D est à noter qu'en raison de cette l'interconnexion des réseaux des tableau qui se dégage est plutôt évolution du marché les autorités opérateurs et à l'accès des encourageant. Bon nombre d'États belges admettent que des motifs fournisseurs de services aux réseaux membres ont transposé l'ensemble d'intérêt général ne peuvent plus à est en voie de publication tandis que du cadre réglementaire ou l'auront l'heure actuelle être invoquées en les touches finales sont apportées fait pour la fin de l'année 1997. Dans faveur de VTM. pour définir le service téléphonique un autre groupe important de pays, universel qui sera garanti sur toute les grands principes seront La décision de la Commission l'étendue de la Communauté. Ce transposés à cette date, mais permet définitivement à VT4 , ainsi cadre est complementé par des règles l'indispensable droit dérivé devra encore être adopté. qu'à d'éventuels autres opérateurs de sur la protection des données et le la Communauté de s'installer ou respect de la vie privée. créer un établissement secondaire en La première priorité de la Flandre afin de transmettre sur le L'obligation faite aux États membres Commission, conformément au réseau de télédistribution belge, des de libéraliser leur marché est Traité, est de veiller à ce que la messages de publicité télévisée renforcée par la discipline imposée réglementation communautaire soit destinés au public flamand. par l'accord de l'Organisation transposée complètement et mondiale du commerce sur les correctement dans le droit national, Télécommunications services de télécommunications de et l'évaluation de cette transposition base que les Etats membres ont signé au stade actuel se fonde sur l'ampleur La directive de la Commission du 13 le 15 février de cette année. Aux de cette transposition dans les États mars 1996 relative à la réalisation termes de cet accord, les obligations membres. Comme certains délais de la pleine concurrence sur le générales du GATS (accord général fixés dans ce cadre réglementaire ne marché des télécommunications , sur le commerce des services) sont pas encore échus, ce processus fondée sur l'article 90.3, a fixé la s'appliqueront à toute fourniture de se poursuivra jusqu'à la fin de l'année date du 1er janvier 1998 pour services de télécommunications 1997 et au-delà pour les États l'introduction de la concurrence dans publics et privés, et tous les États membres qui ont bénéficié d'une les services de téléphonie vocale et la membres seront soumis aux règles et prolongation des délais. La fourniture d'infrastructures (sous procédures de règlement des prochaine étape consistera à s'assurer réserve des périodes additionnelles différends de l'OMC. que les mesures transposées sont

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appliquées correctement, c'est­à­dire avait déjà l'année dernière accordé Conformément à la demande du qu'elles induisent une réorientation une prolongation à Γ Mande, a Conseil exprimée dans ses sur le marché et sur son décidé d'accorder des prolongations résolutions du 23 juillet 1993 et du fonctionnement. La Commission a au Portugal, au Luxembourg à la 23 décembre 1994, les directives également retenu un certain nombre Grèce et à l'Espagne. 96/2/CE et 96/19/CE de la d'aspects réglementaires qui ne Commission modifiant figurent pas dans le cadre Octroi de périodes de mises en respectivement la directive réglementaire, comme la sélection de oeuvre additionnelles pour la 90/388/CEE en ce qui concerne les l'opérateur, la transférabilité du libéralisation des télécommu­ communications mobiles et numéro et l'accès à la boucle locale à nications personnelles et en ce qui concerne des tarifs non amalgamés, mais qui la réalisation de la pleine donne une idée des progrès réalisés État membre obligation de la directive date demande accordée vers la libéralisation complète du prévue marché. Il ressort de la dans la réglementation de ces aspects dans directive certains États membres que la Irlande + libéralisation de la téléphonie vocale et des 1.1.1998 1.1.2000 1.1.2000 libéralisation est très avancée sur ces réseaux publics de télécommunications marchés. + suppression des restrictions à l'offre d'infrastructures alternatives + autorisation interconnexion internationale des 1.7.1996 1.7.1999 1.7.1997 Le rapport montre que de gros réseaux mobiles progrès ont été faits dans la transposition dans le droit national févr. 96 1.1.2000 1.1.1999 de l'ensemble complexe de règles qui forment le cadre réglementaire Portugal + libéralisation de la téléphonie vocale et des 1.1.1998 1.1.2000 1.1.2000 des télécom­munications. réseaux publics de télécommunications + suppression des restrictions à l'offre Cependant, des efforts considérables d'infrastructures alternatives doivent encore être déployés pour + autorisation infrastructures propres réseaux 1.7.1996 1.1.1997 1.7.1997 que l'application de la mobiles + autorisation interconnexion internationale des réglementation nationale soit réseaux mobiles févr 96 1.1.1998 none effective sur le marché. À cet égard, la Commission a fait état de son févr 96 1.1.1999 1.1.1999 intention de surveiller activement la situation de manière à assurer l'accès Grèce + libéralisation de la téléphonie vocale et des 1.1.1998 1.1.2003 31.12.20 aux marchés tout en préservant la réseaux publics de télécommunications 00 + suppression des restrictions à l'offre qualité et la disponibilité des services d'infrastructures alternatives au consommateur. 1.7.1996 1.7.2001 1.10.199 7 En procédant à l'évaluation de l'état de mise en oeuvre du cadre Luxembourg + libéralisation de la téléphonie vocale et des 1.1.1998 1.1.2000 31.3.199 réglementaire, la Commission a tenu réseaux publics de télécommunications 8 + suppression des restrictions à l'offre compte du fait que des États d'infrastructures alternatives membres ayant des réseaux moins 1.7.1996 1.7.1998 développés ou des très petits réseaux 1.7.1997 ont le droit, en application des Espagne + libéralisation de la téléphonie vocale et des 1.1.1998 1.12.1998 1.12.199 directives en matière de concurrence, réseaux publics de télécommunications 8 de demander une prolongation des délais de mise en oeuvre pour certaines échéances fixées pour la mise en oeuvre. La Commission, qui

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concurrence sur le marché des pour le second opérateur de choix du consommateur. En effet, télécommunications, prévoyait que s'interconnecter au réseau fixe de une pleine concurrence ne pourra des périodes additionnelles de Telefonica sans charges jusqu'à un être atteinte que si les utilisateurs mise en oeuvre seraient accordées montant de 15 milliards de ESP, la peuvent choisir voire présélectionner - en ce qui concerne certaines de prorogation de la durée de la des compagnies de téléphone leurs dispositions - à l'Irlande, licence d'Airtel Móvil de 15 à 25 concurrentes et garder leur numéro l'Espagne, le Portugal, la Grèce ans, la libération anticipée et de téléphone ou de prestataire de ainsi qu'au Luxembourg. l'attribution à Airtel Móvil de 4,5 services. La portabilité des numéros MHz additionnels dans la bande permet aux utilisateurs de conserver Le 27 novembre 1996, la de fréquences de 900 MHz, et leur numéro lorsqu'ils souhaitent Commission avait ainsi déjà l'extension de la licence d'Airtel changer d'opérateur et de faire le accordé de telles périodes Móvil, sans paiement d'une meilleur choix en termes de qualité, additionnelles à l'Irlande. Au nouvelle redevance, lui permettant de service et de coût. début de 1997, elle a continué son d'opérer des service mobiles examen des demandes des autres également dans la bande de La Commission avait publié en Etats membres concernés et a fréquence DCS-1800. novembre 1996 un livre vert qui a également accordé des périodes donné lieu à une large consultation. additionnelles de mise en oeuvre le Communication concernant la La Commission a approuvé le 21 12 février 1997 au Portugal, le 7 téléphonie sur Internet mai une communication sur les mai au Luxembourg, le 10 juin à résultats de la consultation relative l'Espagne et finalement le 18 juin Le 2 mai, la Commission a publié au livre vert sur une politique de à la Grèce. Le tableau suivant pour avis, une communication numérotation dans le domaine des résume le contenu de ces 5 concernant les services de services de télécommunications. décisions. téléphonie sur Internet. La Suite à ces résultats, la Commission position de la Commission est que propose en particulier les objectifs Application de la décision de la ce service ne peut à ce jour pas suivants: Commission relative à la être considérée comme de la • A partir du 1er janvier 1998 dans discrimination dans l'octroi des téléphonie vocale parce qu'un un marché concurrentiel, les concessions GSM en Espagne certain nombre de conditions ne utilisateurs doivent avoir la sont pas encore remplies. La possibilité de choisir pour chaque Le 18 décembre 1996 la Commission envisage de publier communication la compagnie Commission avait adopté une une version finale de sa dont l'offre est la plus décision enjoignant l'Espagne de communication sur la base des intéressante en termes de qualité, mettre fin à la distorsion de commentaires reçus. de service et de coût. concurrence résultant du paiement • A partir de 1999, un espace initial de 85 milliard de ESP exigé Résultats de la Consultation sur une européen de numérotation du second opérateur GSM, Airtel politique de numérotation pour les permettra d'ouvrir des services Móvil, et auquel le premier services de télécommunications en tels que les numéros verts et les opérateur, Telefónica (qui était à Europe services à tarif majoré à l'échelle l'époque une entreprise publique), européenne. n'avait pas été soumis pour Dans la perspective de la • A partir du 1er janvier 2000, les l'obtention de sa licence. Le 30 libéralisation du marché des utilisateurs doivent pouvoir avril 1997, la Commission a donné télécommunications dans l'Union garder leur numéro de téléphone son accord à la mise en oeuvre du européenne, la disponibilité de lorsqu'ils changent d'opérateur et paquet de mesures correctives numéros appropriés, attribués de avoir la possibilité de envisagées par le Gouvernement façon équitable, transparente et non sélectionner une compagnie par espagnol pour mettre fin à cette discriminatoire, est une condition défaut, afin d'éviter de composer distorsion. Les principales essentielle pour une concurrence l'indicatif de la comagnie à efficace, pour l'innovation et pour le mesures de ce paquet sont le droit chaque appel.

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Transports propriétaire et quelque soit le Energie nombre d'avions appartenant à une Système de rabais sur les même compagnie. Ce système visait Proposition de directive pour le redevances d'atterrissage donc à favoriser la compagnie marché intérieur du gaz naturel l'aéroport de Zaventem nationale belge. Les discussions sur la proposition de Déjà en 1995, la Commission avait Le Royaume de Belgique ne s'est directive concernant les règles adopté une décision art. 90(3) '2 du pas conformé à la décision de la communes pour le marché intérieur Traité CE demandant aux autorités Commission. Il a déposé un recours du gaz naturel se sont poursuivis belges de mettre fin au système de devant la Cour de Justice visant à sous présidence néerlandaise. La rabais sur les taxes d'atterrissage en l'annulation de la décision. Ce proposition de compromis présentée vigueur à l'aéroport de Zaventem. recours, qui n'a pas encore été par la présidence a permis d'avancer Dans sa décision, la Commission tranché par la Cour de Justice, n'est sur de nombreux points, mais des avait considéré que ce système cependant pas suspensif d'exécution divergences subsistent sur deux constituait une mesure étatique au aux termes de l'article 185 du Traité. points: le régime des contrats sens de l'article 90(1) du Traité CE d'approvisionnement avec des ayant pour effet d'appliquer à l'égard C'est pourquoi, par lettre du 29 mai clauses "take or pay" et le calendrier de compagnies aériennes des 1996, la Commission a adressé aux pour l'ouverture du marché. Il est conditions inégales à des prestations, autorités belges une lettre de mise en souhaitable que ces deux questions liées à l'atterrissage et au décollage, demeure pour non respect de sa puissent être résolues pendant la équivalentes en leur infligeant de ce décision. N'ayant reçu aucune présidence luxembourgeoise. fait un désavantage dans la réponse satisfaisante, la Commission concurrence. Ce système constituait a décidé d'émettre un avis motivé sur Monopoles nationaux à caractère donc une infraction à l'article 90(1) base de l'article 169 du Traité CE qui commercial du Traité en liaison avec l'article 86. a été notifié en décembre 1996 aux autorités belges. N'ayant reçu La Commission estime insuffisant aucune réponse ou communication Le seuil très élevé de 5 mio BF de l'aménagement du monopole des mesures prises, suite à l'avis redevances à atteindre était tel que le autrichien des tabacs motivé, la Commission a décidé le rabais ne pouvait bénéficier qu'à un 19 mars dernier de saisir la Cour de transporteur basé à Bruxelles et ceci En adhérant à l'UE, les trois demiers Justice au titre de l'article 169. au détriment des autres transporteurs Etats membres (Autriche, Finlande et communautaires. Π fallait en effet Suède) se sont engagés, notamment, effectuer quotidiennement 6 à 7 Par ailleurs, d'autres procédures ont à aménager leurs monopoles fréquences (un atterrissage et un été ouvertes à rencontre de systèmes nationaux à caractère commercial décollage) pour atteindre ce seuil. similaires dans trois autres États conformément aux principes de non­ membres. Des lettres de mise discrimination exigés par l'article 37 du traité CE. Ces aménagements La Commission avait estimé qu'un demeure ont été envoyées en mai devaient être réalisés dès la date tel système ne pourrait se justifier 1997 portant sur des systèmes de d'adhésion (le 1er janvier 1995), sauf que par des économies d'échelle qui rabais similaires et sur la modulation pour le monopole autrichien des seraient réalisées par le gestionnaire des taxes d'atterrissage selon tabacs manufacturés pour lequel la de l'aéroport et qui n'existent pas l'origine du vol possibilité d'un aménagement dans le cas d'espèce. En effet, le (domestique/international). progressif au cours d'une période de traitement d'un atterrissage ou transition de trois années a été décollage d'un avion requiert le accordée. même service quelque soit son

En dépit de cette facilité, l'Autriche JO L216 du 12 septembre est néanmoins soumise au respect 1995 d'une série de conditions précises,

40 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * ** J* bit* (% LIBERALISATION & STATE INTERVENTION

prescrites par l'Acte d'adhésion, des droits exclusifs d'importation et aptes à garantir une progressivité de commercialisation existants dans Press releases réelle dans l'aménagement. les échanges intra-communautaires. The full texts of Commission Press L'Autriche doit en effet procéder à Cependant, cette loi comporte encore releases are available on-line from l'abolition de son droit exclusif certains aspects incompatibles avec the RAPID database,on the day of d'importation par l'ouverture l'Acte précitée, notamment en their publication by the Commission's progressive, dès la date d'adhésion, matière: Spokesman's Service. RAPID is de contingents à l'importation de • d'octroi de licences de available free of charge through the produits en provenance d'Etats commerce de gros (obligation Commission's EUROPA server on the membres, les volumes de ces pour les opérateurs d'être World Wide Web. contingents, à ouvrir au début de propriétaires d'un entrepôt chacune des trois années de la fiscal), période de transition accordée, étant • d'obligation pour le grossiste de IP/97/569 [1997-06-26] European Commission requests dûment fixés à ladite Acte. De plus livrer les tabacs manufacturés ces contingents doivent être ouverts Flemish Government to end VTM aux débits à ses risques et advertising monopoly à tous les opérateurs sans restrictions coûts et et les produits importés dans le cadre • de critères auxquels les IP/97/539 [1997-06-18] de ces contingents ne peuvent pas bâtiments pour le stockage des Greece has to complete the être soumis, en Autriche, à un droit produits du tabac doivent liberalisation of its telecommunications exclusif de commercialisation au répondre et qui ne sont pas market before January 2001 niveau du commerce de gros. En tant précisés, imprécision qui ne que dispositions claires, précises et contribue pas à la sécurité IP/97/509 [1997-06-11] non conditionnelles, ces obligations Telecom liberalisation in Spain: juridique des opérateurs sont immédiates et directement Commission accepts a short additional concernés. applicables.Le non-respect de ces period clauses avait conduit la Commission Ainsi, la Commission estime qu'il y à engager en septembre 1995 la IP/97/462-[1997-05-29] a toujours manquement aux Countdown to 1 January 1998: Report procédure d'infraction prévue au obligations de non discrimination. on implementation of the EU traité et à envoyer à l'Autriche une La Commission a donc décidé de telecommunications regulatory lettre de mise en demeure. passer à la phase suivante de la package procédure d'infraction avec l'envoi à L'Autriche avait ensuite adopté en l'Autriche d'un avis motivé de IP/97/374 [1997-04-30] Commission reaches agreement with décembre 1995 une loi l'article 169 du Traité. Spain concerning second GSM licence d'aménagement qui prévoyait la suppression intégrale, à partir du 1er IP/97/373 [1997-04-30] janvier 1996, et donc Greek government proposes to speed anticipativement par rapport à up telecommunications liberalisation l'échéance fixée à l'Acte d'adhésion,

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Main developments between 1st April and 15th July 1997

figures are largely attributable to Summary of the most important the industrial restructuring of East Germany and are matched by a recent developments marked decrease in aid given in the Old Länder. Of the four big countries, the United Kingdom gave the least in aid to industry, the volume falling from FIFTH SURVEY ON STATE AID IN observed in the Fifth Survey, ECU 2.5 bil-lion a year in 1990-92 THE EU which shows that aid to industry to ECU 1.4 billion a year in 1992- remains stable by comparison with 94. Results of the Survey the preceding period (1990 -92). In April the Commission The large sums granted in State aid In the context of cohesion, a cause published the Fifth Survey on threaten to jeopardise the for concern is that industry in the State Aid in the EU (COM (97) completion of the single market, big, industrially powerful 170). It shows that in the years and indeed the achievement of countries - Germany, France, the 1992 to 1994 the then twelve economic and monetary union. United Kingdom and Italy - Member States of the Union spent The high overall figures conceal, receives most in public assistance, an average of ECU 95 billion a as can be seen from the following their share of the Community total year in public assistance to table, wide variations between rising from 82% in 1990 -92 to industry, agriculture, transport, countries and differing trends. 85% in 1992-94. Over the same fisheries and coal mining. The apparent stable trend of the period the four "cohesion" Industry, which occupies the overall volume of industry aid is in countries - Greece, Portugal, Spain centre of the survey, alone fact due to the decrease in aid levels and Ireland - saw their share of the received an average of seen in eight of the Member States total fall from 9.3% to 8.3%. ECU 43 billion a year over the being offset by an increase in aid in The most marked trend observed period. Whereas in the previous the four others. Germany topped in the survey, a trend which will periods reviewed, the volume of the league with a total of very likely be confirmed by the aid given by the Member States to ECU 17 billion, the lion's share figures for 1994-96, is the industry had been falling slowly going to the new Lander, which explosion in the share of aid to but steadily, no such tendency is received ECU 13 billion. These industry which goes in one -off

State aid to manufacturing industry Annual averages 1990 -92 and 1992 -94 as a percentage of value added in ECU per person employed* | in ECU '000 000* 1990-92 1992-94 1990-92 1992-94 1990-92 1992-94 Belgium 7.9 4.8 3 015 1773 2 297 1331 Denmark 1.9 2.8 639 1 017 337 511 Germany 3.5 4.8 1514 2012 13 965 17 410 Old Lander - 921 553 7 373 4156 New Lander - 5 415 11 610 6 592 13 254 Greece 12.5 10.5 1 785 1 588 1 180 1035 Spain 2.1 1.7 605 571 1 738 1494 France 2.7 3.3 I 114 1350 5 280 6 006 Ireland 2.7 3.5 1271 1837 314 463 Italy 8.9 8.4 2 397 2 379 12 321 11529 Luxembourg 3.5 2.9 1 669 1 267 62 48 Netherlands 2.5 2.1 994 822 1 003 812 Portugal 4.6 4.4 514 480 618 568 United Kingdom 1.4 0.8 439 279 2 484 1433 EUR 12 3.8 4.0 1 296 1 419 41 600 42 639 * 1990-92 averages at 1993 prices

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measures to assist individual the social effects of restructuring, A cet égard, il y a lieu d'observer firms: from 7% of the overall but the aid must be strictly que, contrairement aux procédures volume in 1990­92, that confined to a level which ensures de faillite prévues par le droit proportion had risen to some 36% the ultimate viability of the italien, la procédure en question in 1992­94. Although this figure is enterprise without recourse to n'est pas réservée à toutes les partly attributable to the further aid. entreprises, mais seulement aux restructuring of East German Finally, the Commission also grandes entreprises, c'est­à­dire, industry, the trend is worrying. intends to propose a set of aux entreprises employant au Conclusions drawn by the across­the­board guidelines which moins 300 personnes qui se Commission will allow it to vet those individual trouvent en situation d'insol­ The finding of the Fifth Survey cases in which large amounts of vabilité. De plus, il y a des raisons that aid has stabilised to the aid are to be paid out and which pour estimer que la possibilité que current high levels points to the are very often liable to cause les dispositions de la loi en fact that Commission action alone serious distortion of competition. question échappent ­ en tant is not enough, but that This is because Member States, qu'hypothéti ques mesures commitment from Member States faced with budgetary restrictions, générales ­ à l'application des to the reduction of aid budgets is are tending to concentrate regional dispositions du droit needed to bring aid levels down. aid on a few large investment communautaire en matière d'aides To counteract the damaging effects projects. d'État soit exclue car of national aid policies on The Survey may be consulted on l'administration extraordinaire economic cohesion in Europe ­ the DG IV's homepage at: dépend de l'exercice du pouvoir share of the cohesion countries, http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg04 discrétionnaire de l'administration with the exception of Ireland, is /lawaid/en/rap5.htm. publique, notamment en ce qui shrinking from year to year ­, the concerne la continuation de Commission is proposing new La Commission a décidé de l'exercice des activités d'entreprise. guidelines for the regional aid clôturer par biais d'une décision Pour ce qui concerne le transfert granted by Member States, to négative la procédure ouverte à de ressources étatiques, il y a lieu gradually reduce the intensity of l'égard des interventions publi­ de constater que l'administration aid of this kind in all eligible ques en faveur de Ferdofîn Sri. extraordinaire comporte certains regions. Par décision pris le 21 avril 1997 avantages economi ques As a response to the considerable la Commission avait ouvert la concrétisant le transfert de rise in "ad hoc" aid, the procédure prévue par le Code des ressources de l'État ou ayant une Commission, by streamlining the aides à la sidérurgie au regard des incidence sur le budget de l'État, procedures for aid schemes of a aides d'État octroyées par l'Italie à notamment: more general nature which l'entreprise Ferdofîn Siderurgica ­ s'agissant des dettes envers le fisc contribute to EU objectives ­ aid Sri. et les organismes publics de for environmental purposes, Ayant pris note de la décision des prévoyance et sécurité sociale, SMEs, training, research, or autorités italiennes, suite à l'entreprise peut bénéficier de energy saving, for example ­, l'ouverture de la procédure, de ne l'exonération des exécutions intends to liberate a substantial part plus envisager l'octroi de la individuelles; of its resources to the examination of garantie publique prévue par ­ quant aux cotisations sociales, the most important aid cases. l'article 2 bis de la loi italienne l'entreprise bénéficie de l'exonéra­ The Commission furthermore n°.95/1979, la Commission a tion du paiement des amendes et proposes to tighten even further examiné si la loi en tant que telle sanctions pécuniaires relatives au the rules on aid towards the rescue constitue une aide d'État à la non­versement des cotisa fions; and restructuring of enterprises in lumière des dispositions Or, toutes ces mesures constituent difficulty. The Commission is communautaires, notamment des aides d'état dans la mesure où aware of the role played by aid of pour ce qui relève de la présente l'état renonce à ses créances vis­à­ this kind, especially in cushioning décision ­ du traité CECA. vis de l'entreprise.

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A la lumière de ce qui précède la Commission opens the information is indispensable. The Commission est parvenue à la procedure for possible aid to Commission has therefore conclusion que la loi en question Philips and Rabobank under the addressed a letter to the Dutch constitue une aide d'État. Pour ce technolease transaction authorities requesting full qui est de la compatibilité avec le The Commission decided on 23 disclosure of the fiscal treatment of marché commun,, il convient de April 1997 to open the procedure the technolease transaction of relever que si d'une part - dans le for possible aid to the electronics Philips and Rabobank (case NN cadre des règles du traité CE - la manufacturer Philips and the 38/97). compatibilité dudit système d'aide Dutch Rabobank under the pourrait éventuellement être technolease transaction. Under the Commission closes investigation évaluée à la lumière des lignes technolease transaction Philips on research and development aid directrices sur les aides au sold at the end of 1993 certain to Olivetti S.p.A. sauvetage ou à la restructuration, know-how to Rabobank for DFL On 4 June 1997 the Commission d'autre part - dans le cadre du 2.78 billion (1.26 billion ECU) of has decided to close an traité CECA - la comptabilité which Rabobank immediately paid investigation on a proposal to give éventuelle de ces aides ne peut être in cash DFL 600 million ( 272 research and development aid to déterminée que sur la base des million ECU) to Philips. Olivetti S.p.A. The Italian trois dérogations établies de façon Simultaneously, Philips leased- government had proposed to grant exhaustive par le code des aides à back the know-how from some ECU 7,7 million in aid to the la sidérurgie. Or, il ressort du Rabobank for a period of 10 years company for the development of dossier que l'intervention publique to assure that Philips could portable multimedia personal en cause ne peut viser ni la continue to use the know-how for computers, a project which began protection de l'environnement, ni its business. In return for the lease• in 1993. An investigation was la recherche et le développement back Philips pays Rabobank an initiated into the aid proposal in ni, enfin, la fermeture. annual royalty payment of DFL April 1996 because it did not Par conséquent, la Commission a 140 million. Rabobank is in appear to be in conformity with décidé de clôturer la procédure addition entitled to 50% of the European Union state aid rules on prévue par l'article 6, paragraphe proceeds of licenses based on the research and development. 5, du code des aides à la sidérurgie know-how. Following the opening of the à l'égard des aides d'État octroyées The Commission is examining if investigation in April 1996, à Ferdofîn, en adoptant une the Philips and Rabobank Olivetti representatives and the décision final négative déclarant transaction involves discrimi• Italian authorities revealed that the lesdites aides illégales et natory application of tax rules by project - originally of a duration incompatibles avec le marché which the enterprises would have from March 1993 to January 1998 commun. La Commission a, dès obtained undue benefits. Sale- and - had been stopped by Olivetti in lors, décidé d'enjoindre aux lease-back transactions for June 1995, prior even to the autorités italiennes de récupérer les material assets are common notification by the Italian aides en cause ainsi que d'informer operations (for instance in the authorities to the Commission in la Commission, dans un délai de aeronautics and fixed property December 1995. The project had deux mois de la notification de sa sector) but it remains to be been stopped because of décision des mesures qu'il aura assessed if the common and cost/revenue considerations, and prises pour s'y conformer (case C specific tax rules have been Olivetti took on a Taiwanese 8/96). correctly applied in the present partner in research & development case concerning immaterial assets. and production of personal Although, the Dutch authorities computers. Nevertheless, the have already submitted certain Italian authorities insisted on information to the Commission, maintaining the aid proposal, and which is necessary for its in September 1996, submitted a assessment of the case, additional scaled-down project of a duration

44 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * ** ¿* (%= bit* STATE AID

from March 1993 to June 1995, The Commission found that the proposed measure are clearly with a proposal now to grant aid of aid for Research and Development described as targeted towards ECU 2.3 million. amounting to ÖS 300 million (22 reducing the risk of explosion as The Commission was obliged to MECU) does not conform with the well as the release of harmful carry out a complete analysis of state aid guidelines for Research substances in case of operating the research and development and Development. The Commis• plant malfunction. The main project, including a study of sion considered that the purpose of these measures is to market and technology trends in requirements of the necessity for prevent catastrophic occurrences, portable personal computers and the aid, the incentive effect and the minimising harm to humans, and multimedia technologies from the pre-competitive nature of the work not primarily aimed at reducing start of the project in 1993 to the proposed were not present. environmental damage. Moreover, present time. In broad terms, the The Commission based its refusal according to company literature, findings were that the tasks of approving the aid on the fact safety measures aimed at reducing described in the aid proposal were that the project began in 1986 the risk of accidents are a key part those required by any portable because of future market of the business activities of HLR, personal computer manufacturer in opportunities and without the view the necessity of the aid (ÖS 39.61 1993. At the present time, all of receiving state aid. Moreover, million or 2.9 MECU) has portable personal computers on the the Orlistat project is a typical therefore not been demonstrated. market provide support for drug development project in the On this basis, the Commission multimedia applications. pharmaceutical industry, which is considered that the aid proposal When it became apparent that the a core activity of HLR, and for the safety measures foreseen is Commission was poised to take a essential in contributing to the not compatible with the common decision forbidding the granting of company's future success. The market. aid to Olivetti because of the incentive effect of the proposed However, the Commission potential threat to distort aid - an inducement for the approved aid up to ÖS 42.8 competition, the company stated - company to carry out research million (3.1 MECU) for two series nearly one year after the which it would not otherwise have of environmental measures which investigation had begun - that it pursued - is consequently non will reduce the release of gases or did not wish to receive the aid. existent. Finally, at the time of the waste into the environment (air The Italian authorities have notification, the project was and water). The approval was subsequently withdrawn the aid already at the phase III - clinical given on the basis that HLR goes proposal and undertaken not to trials, and in no way falling within beyond its usual internal grant the aid (case). the different categories of environment management Research and Development within requirements, as well as going the meaning of the Community beyond emissions standards Commission disapproves most of Framework for Research and required by the Austrian the state aid proposed in favour Development. In fact, clinical legislation (case C 6/96). of Hoffmann-La Roche for the trials can be described as pre• production of Orlistat, a new marketing activities, aimed at anti-obesity drug mandatory testing of drugs to Commission demands reimbur• The Commission decided on 21 address safety concerns among the sement of aid from the May 1997 not to approve most of general public and are therefore aeronautics company Casa the state aid proposed by the well beyond the pre-competitive On 30th April 1997 the Austrian authorities in favour of development activity phase. Commission decided to demand Hoffmann-La Roche (hereafter, Moreover, the Austrian authorities reimbursement of Pta 1,917 HLR) for the construction and presented a series of measures million (ECU 12 million) aid from operation of a plant located in Linz aimed at the reduction of risks the Spanish state owned aeronau• for the production of an caused by accidents as tics company Casa. Casa received intermediate substance for Orlistat, "environmental". In fact, the a loan of Pta 7,210 million (ECU a new anti-obesity drug. 45 million) in the period 1991 -

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1993 to finance the development loan granted to Casa (covering this context, high-level meetings project for the new Casa-3000 80% of the costs) and the have taken place together with aeroplane, a turbo propeller acceptable aid level (59%) is the several expert meetings with a aircraft with 70 to 80 seats. amount of Pta 1,917 million (ECU view to find a new concept that On 27 December 1991 Casa and 12 million) which has to be could be approved by the the then Ministry of Industry, claimed back by the Spanish Commission as was the case with Trade and Tourism signed a co­ authorities from Casa (case C the new Belgian so-called Maribel operation agreement in respect of 45/94). quater plan. the Casa-3000 project. The The Commission's attitude agreement provided for the French textile plan: Commission towards the French plan was granting of a repayable loan for the refuses to authorize past aid but foreseeable. In the Commission's feasibility, definition and is willing to discuss a general notice on state aid policy and the development stage of the Casa- reduction in employers' social reduction of labour cost, the 3000 programme for the amount security contributions Commission's positive attitude of Pta 32,897 million (around On 9 April 1997 the Commission towards social cost reduction ECU 209 million) to be paid in adopted a negative final decision schemes is confirmed, as long as annual instalments during the on aid under the French plan for they do not exclusively apply to development of the aircraft. The reducing social security contri­ sensitive or crisis sectors. amount of the loan was set in order butions in the textile, clothing and The French plan, which has been to cover 70% of Casa's leather/footwear industries. The allocated a budget of FF 2.1 development cost for the new Commission does not find fault billion per year for a period of 18 aircraft. However, the project was with the plan's aims of job creation months, grants aid to employers in stopped in 1994, but the Spanish but rather with the fact that it the form of reductions in, or authorities have so far not supports certain sectors only. It exemptions from, their social demanded reimbursement of the took a similar stance in earlier security contributions in respect of loan by Casa. decisions on the reductions in the lowest paid. Firms in the four The Commission investigation social security contributions which sectors concerned have started as early as in February Italy wanted to grant to its undertaken, in return for the aid, to 1992 when the Spanish authorities footwear industry and which safeguard existing levels of were requested to inform the Belgium had introduced under the employment and create new jobs Commission about the state Maribel bis/ter scheme. (by hiring young unemployed intervention for the project. On 27 It should be stressed that, for some people). Clearly, the Commission September 1994 the Commission 11,300 of the 13,000 firms does not find fault with the aims decided that the aid level for the concerned, the arrangements laid pursued by the French authorities project was higher than could be down in the French textile plan do but rather with the methods they allowed under its policy for aid to not give rise to any problem: aid have chosen for achieving them research and development. It granted to those firms does not and the consequences of those therefore started a full scale exceed the de minimis threshold, methods. The aims are to be investigation. In the beginning of i.e. ECU 100 000 over a period of achieved thanks to transfers of 1996 it became clear that the three years. On the other hand, the public funds, whereas the same project was definitively Commission's decision requires objectives are attained or will in the aid to be recovered in cases suspended. Casa had so far future have to be attained in other where that threshold is exceeded. received Pta 7,210 million (ECU Member States through sectoral The French authorities have been 45 million) for total incurred costs agreements without public invited to discuss with the of Pta 8,973 million (ECU 57 assistance. Commission ways of broadening million). In its decision the the system, for example to cover The Commission takes the view Commission held that a final aid all sectors which are heavily that the costs arising from intensity of 59% could be allowed. dependent on manual labour. In agreements which firms in a The difference of 21% between the particular sector conclude with

46 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * * * (^ ** *ώ bit* STATE AID

their employees, whether those aid consist of HFL 6.6 million für vereinigungsbedingte Sonder• agreements relate to the reorga• (ECU 3 million) granted by the aufgaben (BvS). nisation of working time or to ESF and HFL 2 million (ECU 0.9 On 1 July 1990, when the other aspects resulting in higher million) granted by the province of Treuhandanstalt took over the state wages or paid leave over and Gelderland. The region of owned VEB Porzellanwerk Triptis above that required in the sector, Arnhem-Nij megen is recognised from the GDR, there were about should normally have been borne by the Commission a so-called 900 employees. In September by the firms themselves. The fact objective-2 region i.e. a region in 1993 the enterprise was privatised that extra costs are incurred by the industrial decline. Philips and a restructuring of the company employers through having to Semiconductors B.V. has cons• started involving a reduction of the comply with provisions of the tructed a new plant in Nijmegen, work force so that at present, the agreements which extend beyond and it is expected that this enterprise employs 326 workers. their legal obligations does not investment will lead to the direct However, early 1995 the alter this view. Public assistance to creation of some 600 new jobs and management realised that the defray these costs, voluntarily will stimulate regional employ• restructuring of the enterprise incurred by businesses, would be ment in the supplying and service would not be successful, if based acceptable only if it were generally industries. only on the company's own available and not restricted to In order to reply to the need of financial resources. Therefore the certain sectors. trained employees, the company BvS was asked for financial The national authorities must has set-up a two-year schooling support. The aid takes the form of ensure, among other things, that program. The total number of the award and the subsequent the conditions in which they grant people that will be trained are waiver of a loan, amounting to aid for creating and/or 1285. The project addresses, for an DM 8 million. The aid is given in safeguarding jobs do not have the important part, to unemployed the framework of a "concerted effect of shifting unemployment (600) which need training in order action", meaning that all interested problems from one Member State to qualify for the job vacancies. parties (investors, workers, BvS) to another. The Commission For the recruitment of new staff, make an effort to restructure the therefore has to take a strict stance the company will also address to company. In this context the when assessing sectoral aid which vulnerable labour categories such Hessische Landesbank waives DM entails this risk, such as the aid as young unemployed, women and 10 million of a larger debt provided for by the French textile long-lasting unemployed. The package. plan, in order to nip in the bud any expected effects of the project are The Commission has examined the escalation or uncontrolled an improvement of the position of aid in the light of the guidelines on development of such measures. the participants on the labour state aid for rescuing and market and the realisation of an restructuring firms in difficulty. It Commission approves training important reinforcement of the has decided to open the procedure program at Philips Semicon• economical structure for the region under Article 92(3) of the EC ductor B.V. (case N 906/96). Treaty, because the case raises two On 18 June 1997 the Commission particular questions: approved a training program, Commission opens proceedings (1) As the Hessische Landesbank supported by the European Social on aid granted to Triptis is state owned, the Commission Fund (ESF) and the Dutch Porzellan GmbH has doubts whether it really acted province of Gelderland, aiming at On 2 May 1997, the Commission as a private banker waiving part of retraining unemployed and decided to open a procedure with the debt and consequently about employees threatened with respect to the restructuring aid the exact amount of aid. unemployment. granted to Triptis Porzellan GmbH (2) Triptis produces in a market The overall costs of the program in Triptis in Thüringen. The aid is which suffers from strong over• are estimated at HFL 22 million provided by the successor to the capacity. The company has (ECU 10.2 million). The approved Treuhandanstalt, the Bundesanstalt reduced its capacity in the

Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 47 * * * Cr (% ** *ώ bit* STATE AID

framework of the entire restruc­ 20% for investment in fixed assets. new technology in the painting turing process by 50%, but no According to the Spanish system, so as to reduce pollution. further capacity reduction is authorities the aid measures were Switching from the present system planned. In view of the strong based on several existing aid based on organic solvents to the over-capacity in the porcelain schemes preceding Spain's new water based paint method will sector, it is open to doubt whether adhesion to the European make it possible to reduce the aid measures in favour of Community and which had never emissions well beyond current Triptis do not unduly distort been objected to by the mandatory standards. The total competition and whether the Commission. environmental protection invest­ payment may not harm the The Commission nevertheless ment involved in the project competitors which do not receive considered that there were serious amounts to PTA 2 210.8 million aid. In other cases in the same doubts whether all measures (13 million ECU), but the eligible sector, objections to possible aid complied with the aforementioned cost calculated on the basis of the have been formulated by schemes and in April 1996 it criteria set out in the Community competitors. These should requested Spain to provide framework on state aid to the therefore have the opportunity to evidence that the rules of the motor vehicle industry and in the express their opinion to the scheme were complied with. Community guidelines on state aid Commission (case NN 129/96). The Spanish authorities informed for environmental protection is the Commission that Ponsal had PTA 574.93 million (3,4 million Commission opens procedure on filed for bankruptcy and waived ECU). This reduction takes aid to Porcelanas del Norte public claims amounting to Pts account of the savings generated S.A.L. "PONSAL" 3100 million (18,6 million ECU). under the new method. The European Commission Meanwhile a newly founded Consequently, the aid is provided decided on 2 May 1997 to open company called "Commercial in the form of a direct grant proceedings pursuant to Article Europea de Porcelanas" had applying the intensity ceiling of 93(2) of the EC Treaty concerning continued Ponsal's activities. In 30% of the eligible costs. restructuring aid to Ponsal which order to support the establishment The Commission takes the view manufactures and sells ceramics of the new company the regional that the aid qualifies for the for tableware and decoration, as authorities of Navarra had awarded derogations provided for in Article the Commission at this stage has further aid which was also based 92(3)(c) of the EC Treaty and doubts whether the aid is on existing aid schemes preceding Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA compatible with the common Spain's adhesion to the Agreement, since the aid does not market. Community. In addition, the affect trade to an extent contrary to Commission noticed from press the common interest (case N Ponsal, which is located in reports that the regional authorities 669/96). Pamplona in the province Navarra, of Navarra had paid another Pts has suffered financial problems for 750 million (4,5 million ECU) to many years and in order to Comercial Europea de Porcelanas. overcome this situation, in 1994, it The Spanish authorities have not drafted a restructuring plan which provided any information on such required an investment of aid (case NN 188/95). approximately Pts 3000 million (18 million ECU). In order to support the implementation of the Commission raises no objection restructuring plan, the government to aid for OPEL, Spain of Navarra awarded aid consisting The Commission has decided on in a guarantee (Pts 1200 million / 23 May 1997 not to raise any 7,2 million ECU), a direct subsidy objection to aid granted by Spain for job creation (Pts 100 million/ for a project designed to apply 0,6 million ECU) and a subsidy of

48 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * ** *ώ (^ bit* STATE AID

IP/97/646 [1997-07-15] programme at Philips Semi-conductor Press releases State aid : Spain Commission approves B.V.(see page 50 of this issue) aids for restructuring the publicly The full texts of Commission's Press owned shipyards IP/97/529 [1997-06-18] releases are available on-line from Draft Council Directive on the RAPID database,on the day of IP/97/645 [1997-07-15] harmonization of export credit their pblication by the Commission's State aid : Finland Commission Spokesman's Service. RAPID is approves regional aid to Valmet available free of charge through the Automotive in suport of an invstment IP/97/487 [1997-06-04] Commission's EUROPA server on the project in Uusikaupundi, Finland State aid: Germany - Commission World Wide Web. approves setting-up of Liquidity Fund IP/97/624 [1997-07-09] by the Land of Berlin for firms in Commission asks Portugal to end aid difficulty IP/97/662 [1997-07-15] for "Empresa para a Agroalimentacão e Le controle des aides d'Etat dans le Cereais S.A. (EPAC)" IP/97/485 [1997-06-04] secteur de l'automobile : nouvelles The Commission decides to close an règles pour la période 1998-2000 IP/97/598 [1997-07-02] investigation on research and State aid : The Netherlands devolopment aid to Olivetti S.p.A. (see IP/97/661 [1997-07-15] Commission approves the cost page 47 of this issue) Mieux contrôler les aides d'Etat en les allocation rules of NedCar motor rendant plus transparentes pour les vehicles IP/97/482 [1997-06-04] citoyens : la Commission propose uen Commission raises no objection to première étape dans la réforme IP/97/597 [1997-07-02] state aid scheme for Swedish shipping Commission opens state aid procedure IP/97/657 [1997-07-15] against Everts Erfurt GmbH, Thuringia IP/97/439 [1997-05-23] Commission authorises plan leading to State aid: Commission initiates privatisation of Lloyd Triestino and IP/97/594 [1997-07-02] proceedings on aid which the Grand Italia di Navigazione. Aid for improving and modernising Duchy of Luxembourg plans to grant to farms in Spain ARBED IP/97/656 [1997-07-15] Commission authorises state aid for the IP/97/538 [1997-06-18] IP/97/438 [1997-05-23] Italian airline Alitalia The commission adopts a State aid: Finland The Commission has Communication aiming at ending decided to consider a guarantee scheme IP/97/650 [1997-07-15] public support for short-term export aimed at improving the financial State aid - Germany - ECSEC steel credit insurance structure and growth of SME's as not sector GEORGSMARIENHÜTTE: constituting State aid Commission initiates state aid IP/97/537 [1997-06-18] procedure State aid: Ireland Commission IP/97/437 [1997-05-23] authorises a production loans scheme State aid: Spain Commission raises no IP/97/649 [1997-07-15] offered by the Irish Film Board objection to aid for OPEL (see page 51 State aid : Spain Commission closes of this issue) proceeding concerning aid to Grupo de IP/97/536 [1997-06-18] Empresas Alvarez (GEA) - Galicia State aid: Portugal Commission IP/97/436 [1997-05-23] approves aid scheme for youn State aid: Italy Extension of validity of IP/97/648 [1997-07-15] entrepreneurs in Portugal the Italian map of areas eligible for State aid : Greece Commission closes regional aid under Article 92(3)(c) and procedure concerning Hellenic IP/97/535 [1997-06-18] of regional aid schemes Shipyard and approves investment aid State aid: Austria Commissio authorises ÖS 345 million in aid to IP/97/435 [1997-05-23] IP/97/647 [1997-07-15] BMW Steyr Commission approves aid scheme for State aid : Spain Commission firms in the French Overseas investigates aid to the companies of the IP/97/534 [1997-06-18] Departments froup Magefesa and its successors State aid : The Netherlands Commission approves training

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IP/97/434 [1997­05­23] IP/97/361 [1997­04­30] IP/97/282 [1997­04­09] Commission approves closure aid for State aid given to Asociación General French textile plan: Commission the Bremer Vulkan Werft GmbH Agraria Mallorquína S.A. (AGAMA) refuses to authorize past aid but is in Spain willing to discuss a general reduction IP/97/430 [1997­05­22] in employers' social security State aid: Gernany ­ Aid in favour of IP/97/337 [1997­04­23] contributions SKET Schwermaschinenbau State aids: Netherlands ­ The Magdeburg GmbH (SMM), Saxony­ Commission has decided to open the IP/97/264 [1997­04­02] Anhalt procedure for possible aid to Philips State aids: United Kingdom and Rabobank under the technolease Commission approves an investment IP/97/426 [197­05­21] transaction (see page 47 in this issue) aid package to LG Electronics Wales State aid: Austria ­ The Commission Ltd, South Wales does not approve most of the state aid IP/97/312 [1997­04­16] proposed by the Austrian Authorities in Commission approves the aid and the IP/97/263 [1997­04­02] favour of Hoffmann­La Roche for the privatisation of Almagrera S.A. State aid: Spain ­ Commission decides productionof Orlistat, a new anti­ to temrinate proceedings against the obesity drug (see page 48 of this issue) IP/97/311 [1997­04­16] national programme for the State aid: Germany ­ Aid for Union development of renewable energy IP/97/383 [1997­05­02] Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH, Saxony sources State aids: Germany ­ The com­ mission clears four cases in favour of IP/97/310 [1997­04­16] IP/97/261 [1997­04­02] East German companies State aids: Italy ­ Commission State aid: France ­ Commission approves capital injections into extends investigation proceedings on IP/97/380 [1997­05­02] ENIRISORSE aid measures for Société de Banque State aid: Spain European Commission Occidentale (SDBO) initiated on 18 decides to open a procedure on aid to IP/97/309 [1997­04­16] September 1996 Porcelanas de Norte S.A.L. State aids: Germany ­ Commission "PONSAL" (see page 51 of this issue) decides to open proceedings on aid to IP/97/257 [1997­04­02] Dörries Scharmann GmbH Mr. Van Miert reacts to USTR IP/97/379 [1997­05­02] Charlene Barshefsky's statement on State aid: Germany ­ European IP/97/308 [1997­04/16] state aid to European shipyards Commission opens proceedings for aid State aid: Worried Commission granted to Triptis Porzellan GmbH, proposes stricter rules Thüringen (see page 50 of this issue) IP/97/305 [1997­04­16] Judgments IP/97/375 [1997­04­30] Commission raises no objection to State aid: Italy ­ Commission decides fourth and final tranche of state aid to that aid to Ferdofîn Siderurgica Sri is TAP Order of the Court of 30 June 1997, illegal (see page 45 of this issue) Case C­66/97 : Banco de Fomento IP/97/304 [1997­04­16] Exterior SA ν Amândio Mauricio IP/97/372 [1997­04­30] Commission raises no objection to the Martins Pechim, Maria da Luz State aid: Spain ­ European release of state aid worth FFlbn to Air Lima Barros Raposo Pechim and Commission has decided to demand France and blocked since 1996 Confecções Têxteis de Vouzela Lda reimbursement of Pta 1.917 million (CTV). Reference for a preliminary (ECU 12 million) aid from the IP/97/301 [1997­04­16] ruling: Tribunal aeronautics company Casa Aid for Hijos de Andres Molina S.A. Civel da Comarca de Lisboa ­ (HAMSA) in Andalusia (Spain) Portugal. Reference for a IP/97/368 [1997­04­30] preliminary ruling ­ Inadmissibility. Th Commission authorises a total of £ IP/97/285 [1997­04­09] 891 million in aid to cover the State aid: France ­ Commission Judgment of the Court of 15 May ingerited liabilities of the United decides not to raise any objection to tax 1997, Case C­355/95: Textilwerke Kingdom coal industry exemption for biofuels Deggendorf GmbH (TWD) ν Commission of the European Communities and Federal Republic of Germany. State aid ­ Commission

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decisions suspending payment of Application for interim measures ­ Judgment of the Court (Fourth certain aids until previous unlawful Suspension of operation of a Chamber) of 15 April 1997, Case C­ aid has been repaid. measure ­ Legal interest in bringing 272/95: Bundesanstalt für Judgment of the Court (Fourth proceedings ­ State aids. Landwirtschaft und Ernährung ν Chamber) of 15 May 1997, Case C­ Deutsches Milch­Kontor GmbH. 278/95 P.: Siemens SA ν Commission Judgment of the Court (Sixth Reference for a preliminary ruling: of the European Communities. Chamber) of 15 April 1997, Case C­ Bundesverwaltungsgericht Appeal ­ State aid ­ General aid ­ 292/95: Kingdom of Spain ν Germany. Aid for skimmed­milk Definition of aid. Commission of the European powder ­ Systematic inspections ­ Communities. Action for annulment Costs of inspections. Order of the President of the Court ­ Framework on State aid to the of 30 April 1997, Case C­89/97 motor vehicle industry ­ Retroactive P(R).: Moccia Irme SpA ν prolongation ­ Article 93(1) of the Commission of the European EC Treaty. Communities.

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Main developments between 1st April and 15th July 1997

take the lead once it was confident Summary of the most important that it had a firm intention to act. The Commission conducted recent developments negotiations with Nielsen to arrive at an acceptable solution ensuring that Alicia VAN CAUWELAERT competition was not distorted. At every stage during negotiations the DoJ was informed of progress and given an opportunity to comment on the undertakings it was proposed to BILATERAL RELATIONS 19961-*. It was decided to report on seek from Nielsen. Once the WITH THE UNITED STATES this relatively short period of six Commission had secured the OF AMERICA months so that in subsequent years it necessary undertakings from would be possible to report on the Nielsen, the DoJ was able to Report on application of the same calendar year as the Annual conclude that the practices it had Agreement between the Report on Competition Policy. been investigating would not European Communities and the continue, and thus it closed its Government of the United States During the period under review investigation. Cooperation in this case greatly benefited from the of America regarding the cooperation between the waivers which were obtained by the application of their competition Commission and its counterparts in Commission from both the laws, 1 July 1996 to 31 the United States has continued to be defendant and the complainant December 1996 very positive and has contributed enabling the Commission to have greatly to the effective resolution of a open and frank discussions with the On 4 July 1997 the Commission number of cases. adopted the second report on the DoJ application of the 1991 Agreement The report illustrates this cooperation between the European Communities by reference where possible to cases The Agreement continues to provide and the Government of the United which have been closed during the a framework for meaningful and States of America regarding the period under review. For example useful cooperation between the application of their competition the report refers to the successful Commission and the United States. laws '3 ("the Agreement") for the cooperation in merger cases such as The cooperation that was described period 1 July 1996 to 31 December Sandoz/Ciba-Geigy where close in the first report to the Council and the European Parliament has 1996 . This report complements contacts between the Commission and the FTC helped to ensure that continued to bring benefits on both the first report on the application of compatible decisions were taken by sides of the Atlantic. Benefits, not the Agreement which covered the both competition authorities. only to the competition authorities period 10 April 1995 to 30 June but also to the companies involved The cooperation in the IRI/Neilsen as it is everyone's interest that case is also detailed in the report. As compatible solutions be found. the conduct in question was primarily addressed to contractual EC/US POSITIVE COMITY Agreement between the Government of practices implemented in Europe and AGREEMENT the United Stales of America and the had its greatest impact within Commission of the European Communities Europe, the US Department of regarding the application of their On the 18th of June 1997 the competition laws ( OJ L 95. 27.4.95. pp. Justice (DoJ) let the Commission Commission adopted a proposal pp.45 - 50 as corrected by OJ L 131\38 of for a joint Council and 15.6.95). Commission decision to conclude Adopted 8 October 1996, Com an agreement between the Com(97)346 final (96)479final European Communities and the

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Government of the United States The Agreement must be adopted CANADA of America on the application of jointly by the Council and the positive comity principles in the Commission. In so far as the EC/CANADA COOPERATION enforcement of their competition proposed Agreement relates to the AGREEMENT laws'". competition rules of the EC The principle of positive comity Treaty, the legal basis for the In the beginning of July 1997 a provides that a Party adversely Council to conclude the draft Agreement between the affected by anticompetitive Agreement is Article 87 of the EC European Communities and the behaviour occurring in whole or in Treaty in conjunction with the first Government of Canada regarding part in the territory of another subparagraph of Article 228 the application of their Party may request that other Party paragraph 3 thereof. The competition laws was finalised. to take action. European Parliament must be This draft has been approved by consulted before the Council can the Council's Working Group on Economic Questions and will The proposed agreement builds on conclude the Agreement. To the shortly be sent to the European the successful cooperation which extent that the Agreement applies Commission for approval. has taken place between DG IV to ECSC products. Articles 65 and and its US counterparts, the 66 of the ECSC Treaty form the Department of Justice and the legal basis for the Commission to As the Agreement is within the Federal Trade Commission, under conclude the proposed Agreement. competence of both the Council the 1991 Agreement regarding the The Council is at present seeking and the Commission it must be application of competition laws. the opinion of the European concluded by a joint decision of Parliament. the Council and the Commission. Positive comity, which was In contrast to the 1991 Agreement Article 228(3) EC Treaty requires introduced into EC/US relations mergers are not within the scope of the Council to consult the by Article V of the 1991 the proposed Agreement due to EC European Parliament before concluding the Draft Agreement. Agreement, is reinforced by the and US merger legislation, which proposed Agreement. The circum• would not allow a deferral or stances in which a request for suspension of action as envisaged Due to the globalisation of many positive comity will normally be by the Agreement. sectors and the increase in the made and the manner in which number of cases being examined such requests should be treated are The proposed positive comity by both the European Commission laid down more clearly. Even more Agreement is an important and Canada the need for importantly the proposed development in relations with the cooperation has become apparent. Agreement creates a presumption US and represents a commitment It is important that two competition authorities dealing that in certain circumstances a on the part of the US and the EC to with the same case do not impose Party will normally defer or cooperate with respect to antitrust conflicting remedies or that the suspend its own enforcement enforcement rather than seeking to apply their antitrust laws cumulation of their respective activities. This will be particularly extraterritorially. The Commission remedies does not cancel out the the case where anticompetitive is confident that the proposed viability of the business behaviour does not affect Agreement will further strengthen concerned. consumers in the territory of the existing cooperation to the benefit Requesting Party or the behaviour of consumers and companies alike. is occurring principally in and The proposed Agreement is very directed principally towards the similar to the Agreement entered other Party's territory. into with the United States in 1991 ' '. The Agreement provides

COM (97) 233 Agreement between the European Communities and the Government of

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for the notification of cases under Party will consider all relevant Commission and the Canadian investigation which may affect the factors where its enforcement competition authority and to a important interests of the other activities may affect the important greater understanding of each Party. This notification procedure interests of the other Party. By others competition policy. will ensure that each authority is taking each others interests into aware of the activities of the other account in the enforcement of authority, allowing cases of anticompetitive laws the likelihood common concern to be easily of conflict is greatly reduced. ORGANISATION MONDIALE identified. Once a case has been DU COMMERCE identified as raising significant Article VII of the Draft Agreement issues for both sides, it will be provides for the exchange of Commerce et concurrence possible for the Parties to activate information between the Parties. the cooperation or coordination This clause is quite limited as the La Conférence de Singapour a provisions of the Agreement. Agreement does not alter existing décidé le 11 décembre 1996 laws. The Parties may not "d'établir un groupe de travail pour The Parties may agree to exchange information where it is étudier les problèmes relatifs aux coordinate their enforcement contrary to either existing law or to liens entre les échanges et la activities and provide each other their important interests. At politique de la concurrence, y with assistance, thus increasing the present the Commission is under a compris les pratiques likelihood that anticompetitive strict obligation of confidentiality anticoncurrentielles, afin behaviour will be brought to an with regard to information which it d'identifier tous domaines qui end as effeciently and effectively collects from companies in the mériteraient d'être examinés au as possible. Coordination by the application of competition laws. sein de l'OMC" (cf. H. Morch, B. competition authorities may also However the Agreement Carton et P. Arhel, Competition be beneficial for companies as it encourages the Parties to seek the Policy Newsletter, Vol. 2, n° 3, will reduce the likelihood of consent of the companies 1997). conflicting decisions being made. concerned in order to allow the Of course, such coordination and Parties to exchange information Le Professeur Frédéric Jenny, Vice assistance may only take place normally considered confidential. Président du Conseil de la where it is consistent with the laws The Parties are under an obligation Concurrence français, a été choisi and important interests of the to maintain the confidentiality of par consensus pour présider ce Parties. any information provided to it groupe. La parfaite maîtrise du under the Agreement. sujet, qu'il a manifestée au sein du Like the 1991 EC/US Agreement groupe de travail Van Miert, ainsi the proposed EC/Canada The Draft Agreement if entered que l'efficacité avec laquelle il Agreement contains provisions on into will greatly increase the préside le bureau du CLP de both positive and negative or ability of DG IV and the Canadian l'OCDE ont été déterminants dans traditional comity. Positive competition authority to cooperate ce choix. On peut y voir un gage comity provides that one Party with each other. By providing a d'efficacité pour les travaux du may request the other Party to take framework for cooperation the groupe, qui s'est réuni pour la enforcement action. Traditional or Draft Agreement should increase première fois les 7 et 8 juillet negative comity provides that a the effectiveness of antitrust 1997. enforcement and reduce the number of cases in which the Le Groupe a fixé son ordre du jour the United States of America on the competition authorities make et a décidé de se réunir à nouveau application of positive comity conflicting or incompatible deux fois avant la fin de l'année et principles in the enforcement of their competition laws See OJ L 95. 27.4.95. decisions. The Draft Agreement au moins quatre fois en 1998, pp.45 - 50 as corrected by OJ L 131/38 of will also lead to a much closer avant de rendre son rapport au 15.6.95. relationship between the

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Conseil Général, comme le prévoit Différend entre les Etats-Unis et Kodak sur le marché américain. son mandat. le Japon sur l'accès au marché Les USA semblent vouloir japonais du film et du papier accepter cette condition, mais sous Télécommunications photographique. réserve qu'aucun lien ne soit établi entre les deux consultations. Le 15 février 1997, les membres Le 13 juin 1996, les USA ont, en de l'OMC ont conclu un accord se fondant sur les accords GATT TRANSPORT AERIEN sur l'accès au marché des services et GATS et sur la décision de 1960 de télécommunication de base sur les pratiques restrictives de Après la libéralisation du secteur ("accord GTBGTB"). Cet accord, concurrence (annexée à l'accord du transport aérien, la Commission qui couvre plus de 93 % du GATT), demandé à l'OMC la mise concentre ses efforts sur les marché mondiales des en oeuvre de consultations relations avec les pays tiers. télécommunications comporte concernant l'accès au marché l'engagement de 69 japonais du fílm et du papier - Négociation d'accords gouvernements d'ouvrir leur photographique (cf. H. Morch, B. de transport aérien avec divers marché de télécommunications à la Carton et P. Arhel, art. précité). pays tiers. concurrence étrangère. La plupart des parties se sont accordées sur Les trois procédures évoluent à un * USA : deux des principesréglementaires rythme différent : réunions, caractérisées par un régulateurs comprenant esprit d'ouverture, ont eu lieu, à notamment la prévention des - GATT : l'aspect droit de Washington en octobre 1996 et à pratiques anticoncurrentielles : la concurrence est accessoire dans Bruxelles en avril 1997. adoption de mesures appropriées cette procédure. Elle constitue pour empêcher les plus importants cependant un bon exemple * Pays associés fournisseurs (major suppliers), d'articulation entre les pratiques d'Europe centrale : les premiers seuls ou conjointement, d'engager anticoncurrentielles et les entraves contacts ont été noués. Ils ont ou de maintenir des pratiques au commerce et pourrait dès lors notamment montré que si la anticoncurrentielles. Ces pratiques être riche d'enseignements pour le législation de ces pays est, incluent notamment les débat sur la mise en place d'un conformément aux accords subventions croisées, l'utilisation cadre international de règles de européens, calquée sur les articles d'informations obtenues auprès de concurrence (cf. supra). La 85 et ss., en revanche, pour la concurrence et le défaut de Commission a souligné ce point l'heure, aucun d'eux n'a adopté de communication aux concurrents, dans le mémoire qu'elle a adressé règlement d'exemption dans le dans un délai utile, des à l'OMC le 11 avril 1997, en sa secteur du transport aérien. informations techniques sur les qualité de tierce partie. Le rapport installations essentielles, ou intérimaire du panel est attendu - Extension des pouvoirs d'informations commerciales pour la fin de l'année. de la Commission. pertinentes nécessaires pour la fourniture des services. - GATS : la procédure est L'accord est en cours de encore au stade des consultations. Les règlements du Conseil n/ ratification. Il étend au plan 3975/87, déterminant les modalités mondial, à la même date-clé du 1er - Décision de 1960 : la d'application des règles de janvier 1998, le processus de procédure est actuellement concurrence aux entreprises de libéralisation des bloquée : le Japon affirme qu'il transports aérien et 3976/87, télécommunications en cours à accepterait des consultations sur concernant l'application de l'article l'intérieur de l'Union européenne. les pratiques de Fuji sur le marché 85, paragraphe 3, du traité à des japonais, à conditions que les USA catégories d'accords et de pratiques acceptent à leur tour des concertées dans le domaine du consultations sur les pratiques de transport aérien ne s'appliquent

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qu'aux liaisons aériennes au sein de the context of privatisation. This Consequently, the nature of la Communauté, à l'exclusion des was followed up by two working assistance the Associated liaisons entre la Communauté et les groups on anti-trust and state aid Countries need from DG IV is pays tiers. Afin de combler cette where a wider range of topics were changing. Rather than receiving lacune, la Commission a présenté au covered. The Conference theoretical training there is now a Conseil deux propositions de concluded with a presentation and more explicit need to discuss the règlement le 16 mai. discussion in plenary of the application of competition law in conclusions reached in the two concrete cases. In a response to - Contrôle de la conformité working groups and the adoption this need DG IV intends to rcfocus au droit de la concurrence des of a Joint Declaration. its assistance in this direction. alliances conclues par les Moreover, as was made clear compagnies aériennes Similar to last year in Brno, Czech during the Conference, training of La Commission vérifie actuellement Republic, the Conference proved the competition authorities is not la conformité aux articles 85 et 86 de extremely useful to establish and enough. To establish the diverses alliances entre des improve contacts with the CEEC "competition culture" necessary to compagnies européennes et des competition authorities and to ensure an efficient law compagnies américaines sur le make a state of play on progress enforcement, it will be necessary transport aérien de passagers et de made in the field of competition to extend the training to other marchandises : British law and enforcement in the CEEC actors in the market place, in Airways/American Airlines. since last year. particular judges, lawyers, Lufthansa/SAS/United Airlines, academics and business people KLM/Northwest et Swissair/ Anti-trust and even Members of Parliament. Sabena/Austrian Airlines/Delta. Generally speaking, considerable State aid La procédure, qui a commencé par la progress has been made in the publication des premiers accords au field of anti-trust in the CEEC In the field of state aid it is evident JOCE (n° C 289/4 du 2 oct. 1996), since last year. In many of the that much work still needs to be suit son cours. Associated Countries new, done in the Associated Countries ambitious and better competition to meet the requirements of laws have been adopted (i.e. the approximation of the Europe new Hungarian competition law Agreements and the Commission's which entered into force on 1 White Paper on the integration of COMPETITION CONFERENCE January 1997 and the new the CEEC into the Internal Market. IN SOFIA WITH THE CEEC Romanian competition law which In most of the Associated entered into force on 1 February Countries the monitoring authority At 12-13 May 1997 the annual 1997). In other countries new has only been established very Competition Conference between competition laws are in recently (in Poland, Romania and the Heads of the competition and preparation, such as Estonia and Bulgaria only this year and in state aid authorities of the ten Slovenia. Moreover, many Slovenia it is not yet established) Associated Countries and the competition authorities are and is in the process of defining its Commission took place in Sofia. functioning and dealing with a role and powers. The most Bulgaria. wide range of concrete cases. They advanced Associated Countries are very often also play a major role in about to adopt or have recently ensuring that new laws respect the adopted the first laws on state aid During the plenary session of the basic principles of free and state aid monitoring (the Conference, speeches were competition, be it in the field of Baltic States have done particular delivered on the Commission's energy, telecommunications, good progress in this respect). A green paper on vertical restraints, major problem concerns essential facilities, state aid to transport or in other sectors. public companies and state aid in transparency and the establishment

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of aid inventories. The monitoring provisions on competition, both used as a standard model for all authorities, which generally only anti-trust and state aid . other Associated Countries. have very limited human resources, have difficulties in Much more progress has been Content of the Czech obtaining the information made in the adoption of the Implementing Rules (IR) necessary to establish credible aid Implementing Rules for inventories from the aid granting According to Article 64 of the undertakings '" whereas the authorities even if they send out Europe Agreement with the Czech adoption of Implementing Rules standardised questionnaires. One Republic (hereinafter "EA") and on state aid has turned out to be explanation may be that the aid Article 8 of Protocol 2 to the EA much more difficult to negotiate granting authorities often do not (ECSC products) the granting of with the Associated Countries and know what constitutes a state aid state aid is in principle with the Member States in the and the system for granting incompatible with the proper Council. support to the industry is not functioning of the EA. geared to provide the necessary In the field of state aid, while draft information. Therefore, in many of The IR provide that, subject to the Implementing Rules have been the Associated Countries a reform procedural rules in force in the EC agreed upon between the of the state aid system is and the Czech Republic, the Commission services and each of underway. granting of state aid shall be the Associated Countries, they surveyed and assessed as to its have not yet been adopted by the DG IV is encouraging and compatibility with the EA by the Association Council. This is partly monitoring these reform efforts. It responsible monitoring authorities due to lengthy discussions with the will continue to assist the CEEC in in the EC and the Czech Republic, Member States in the Council on creating the necessary respectively. The monitoring the content of these rules. authority in the EC shall be the EC transparency, to help the still An agreement has now been Commission, and in the Czech somewhat fragile monitoring reached with Member States on Republic the Ministry of Finance. authorities to combat the the first set of Implementing Rules introduction of new incompatible on state aid for the Czech state aid measures, to provide legal Republic. The procedure for final The compatibility of individual aid advice in the drawing up of new adoption of these rules by the awards and programmes with the state aid legislation, to organise Association Council is however EA shall be assessed on the basis training and to draw up together still rather long. The Czech of the criteria arising from the with the CEEC a Special Guidance Implementing Rules will further be application of Article 92 EC on state aid to take account of the Treaty, including present and particular circumstances of future secondary legislation, economies in transition. frameworks, guidelines and other The three-year time-limit for the adoption relevant administrative acts in expires on December 31, 1994 for force in the EC as well as the case Implementing Rules on state aid Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. For Romania law of the Community Courts. The The Europe Agreements with the and Bulgaria, the time-limit expired on Community de minimis rule December 31, 1995. The Europe applies for the purpose of Associated Countries provide that Agreements with the Baltic States the Association Council shall, immediately set the limit at December assessing the compatibility of aid within three years of the entry into 31, 1997. The time-limit for Slovenia is with the EA. force of the relevant Europe December 31, 1999. Agreement, adopt the necessary During the first period of five rules for the implementation of the Implementing Rules for the competition rules applicable to undertakings have years after the entry into force of been adopted by the Association Council the EA (i.e. until 1 January 1997) for the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland any public aid granted by the and the Slovak Republic. Czech Republic shall be assessed

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pursuant to the rules which apply from the responsible authority. provide, upon request information to regions in the Community The affected party may on aid schemes and individual eligible for regional aid pursuant furthermore request consultation cases of public aid. The IR provide to Article 92(3)(a) EC Treaty. The with the other authority, or it may that the EC Commission shall period of five years may be request that the other Party's assist the Czech republic to draw extended for additional periods of monitoring authority initiate any up and thereafter update an five years by a decision of the appropriate procedures with a view inventory of its aid programmes Association Council ™. χπε IR to take remedial action. Where and individual aid awards, provide that the monitoring such consultations do not lead to a established on the same basis as in authorities shall submit a joint mutually acceptable solution, an the Community, in order to ensure proposal to the Association exchange of views shall take place and continuously improve Committee concerning the within the Sub-Committee for transparency. maximum aid intensities and Competition established in the specific regional coverage of areas framework of the EA. Following Enlargement and competition eligible for national regional aid. this, the matter may be submitted policy to the Association Committee which may take appropriate Moreover, the monitoring On 15 July 1997 the Commission recommendations for the authorities shall jointly develop adopted the enlargement package guidance on the compatibility of settlement of these cases. This is on the accession of the 10 aid designed to combat the specific without prejudice to any action Associated countries to the problems of the Czech Republic as under Article 64(6) of the EA and Community. it undergoes transition to a market Article 8(6) of Protocol 2 to the economy ("Special Guidance"). EA . Trade instruments should Among the various documents however only be used as a last making up the enlargement In respect of ECSC products, resort. package competition policy Protocol 2 of the EA and the IR features in two of those documents refer to the existing Community Finally, the IR contain provisions in particular, that is the rules on state aid for ECSC to ensure transparency in the Commission Opinion on each of products, including secondary domain of state aid. The EA the 10 Associated countries and legislation. However, Protocol 2 already obliges each Party to the Impact Study. In its Opinions provides for specific rules report annually to the other Party the Commission examines to what governing aid for restructuring for on the total amount and the extent the Associated countries an initial period of five years distribution of the aid given and to fulfill the criteria laid down by the which can be extended by a European Council to become decision of the Association members of the Community, and Council. According to these provisions, the what are the prospects for Community or the Czech Republic may satisfying these criteria in a take appropriate measures if they foreseeable future. The purpose of The IR further provide specific consider that a particular practice is incompatible with the competition rules the Impact Study is to examine the procedures for consultation and of the EA. and if such practice causes or consequences of accession on problem solving. Whenever the threatens to cause serious prejudice to present and future Community important interests of one Party are the interest of that Party or material injury to its domestic industry. Such policies. affected by an aid programme or measures may only be taken after individual aid award, that Party consultationj within the Association may request information about this Council or after 30 days following As regards competition policy the referral for such consultation. In the Commission's conclusions may be case of incompatible state aid. appropriate mesaures may only be summarized as follows: Like Poland and Hungary it is likely that adopted in accordance with the The Commission Opinion the Czech Republic will request an procedures and under the conditions (competition) extension.. laid down by GATT.

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In the Opinions for each of the in most countries the anti-trust some concern. Moreover, the lack Associated countries a clear authority is in principle of powers or practical experience distinction is made between state independent from government in carrying out surprise inspections aid and anti-trust. The rules and although it remains to be seen in some countries and the very obligations in terms of whether this will be respected in limited number of notifications in approximation of legislation are all cases. However, in a small most, if not all, countries leaves different in the two areas and in number of countries this seems one with the impression that much most countries the authority still to constitute a problem. It remains to be done to establish a appointed to control state aid is a seems that the competition offices true competition culture. For these department within the Ministry of have the manpower required to reasons in the Opinion the Finance and not the anti-trust enforce the law and that, in the Commission states that the authority. Moreover, a clear most advanced countries, the staff enforcement of the law remains an distinction has been made between have acquired a profound important challenge in the future. the approximation of legislation theoretical knowledge of and the actual enforcement of the competition law within a very State aid short period of time. Even in less advanced countries important In the field of state aid much work Anti-trust progress has been made in this remains to be done in all respect. Associated countries. The main The Opinions reflect that in the problems are lack of transparency area of anti-trust satisfactory However, what is still lacking is in the granting of state aid and progress has been made in terms practical experience in applying rather weak monitoring authorities of approximation of legislation in the law, such as doing surprise on state aid with no real powers to almost all Associated countries. inspections in companies and enforce a credible state aid control. The most advanced countries, such taking up cases ex officio (e.g. Moreover, in almost all countries as Hungary, have already adopted collecting data on possible cartels it seems that a substantial amount a competition law sufficiently etc.). The high turnover of staff of state aid is granted indirectly in similar to EC competition law and due to very low salaries remains a the form of tax reliefs, tax arrears, are in the process of adopting problem, in particular as regards guarantees, the writing off of bad secondary legislation, including lawyers, although the employment loans granted by the state-owned block exemptions. Others have in the private sector of well banks etc. Such aid measures are new draft laws in the pipeline educated competition lawyers may difficult to detect and quantify and which, once adopted, will fulfill also have a positive spin-off effect. in most cases they constitute pure the requirements in terms of It seems that considerable operating aid. In many Associated approximation of legislation. resources are still used to countries export aid is granted in investigate complaints from order to boost domestic industry, Moreover, the Commission notes consumers and small undertakings which remain weak on export the important role competition who feel that dominant firms are markets. Bankruptcy laws do not necessarily apply to all firms and authorities have played in terms of abusing their position to impose the recent crisis in the financial "competition advocacy" in the onerous contract terms. While one sector in some Associated legislative process in some may have sympathy with such complaints they do not constitute countries also give rise to concern. Associated countries. the most serious threat to competition in transition In a first stage, a credible The lack of progress in controlling enforcement of the law requires economies and the apparent very state aid is reflected in the well functioning anti-trust small number of cases dealing Opinions and includes countries authorities with sufficiently skilled with hard core cartels, mergers and which in other areas have made staff to apply the law. In this vertical restraints, such as resale considerable progress, such as repect the Commission notes that price maintenance, gives rise to Hungary and Poland.

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Nevertheless, the Opinions also substantive rules and the rules on the Associated countries will have conclude that some countries have procedure, and competition the powers necessary to ensure a made more progress than others, in authorities have been set up to credible control of state aid up to particular the Baltic States where enforce the law. Although this accession and the skills and rather ambitious laws for the may facilitate the application of political support necessary to monitoring of state aid have been, Community competition law by create a sufficient degree of or are in the process of being, the national authorities upon transparency in the granting of adopted. It remains to be seen, accession, it is equally true that state aid. This will in turn mean however, whether these laws will this is not sufficient to establish that upon accession a considerable be enforced. the "competition culture" increase in the Commissions necessary for an efficient workload may be foreseen, both in competition policy enforcement. It respect of the number of cases and The Impact Study (competition) may be that this "competition the difficulties in dealing with culture" will not be fully achieved them. In the field of competition one of upon accession and that as a the major challenges of consequence hereof the enlargement will be the heavier Commission may be faced with and more complex administrative certain difficulties in enforcing burden imposed on the competition policy. Commission due to a further In the field of state aid the current increase in the number of cases rules on state aid seem to provide and the logistical problems arising the flexibility needed to take from having to deal with up to 25 account of any specificities of Member States in 21 languages. acceeding countries. However, Even with a possible further enlargement will have an decentralisation of competition important impact on the policy enforcement to the Member Community regional aid policy. States and the adoption of more Under Community regional aid efficient procedures, in particular policy the population living in in the field of state aid, areas eligible for regional aid enlargement will necessitate pursuant to Articles 92(3)(a) and additional human resources in (c) (the assisted areas) shall not order to avoid unacceptable delays exceed 50% of the Community in the handling of cases and policy total. As this limit is currently not developments. far from being reached and provided this limit is maintained, Enlargement may constitute an the enlargement with countries important challenge to the with lower welfare levels will Commission's attempt to further inevitably result in the crowding- decentralise competition policy out of a share of the population enforcement to the Member States presently living in assisted areas. while ensuring a uniform As concerns the current 92(3)(a) application of Community anti• areas many would risk no longer trust policy throughout the to qualify for this status as the new Community. In most of the entrants would reduce the average Associated countries the Community welfare levels to a considerable extent. Moreover, it approximation of legislation in the is doubtful whether the monitoring anti-trust field is progressing authorities on state aid set up in satisfactorily, both as regards the

60 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * * ft (^ *v fi bit* INTERNATIONAL

Global Standards Conference Building the Global Information Society for the 21st Century New applications and business opportunities-Coherent standards and regulations Sponsored by ISO/IEC/ITU Hosted by the European Commission, DG HI Industry Brussels, 1 - 3 October 1997 Palace & Sheraton Hotels

The first conference to examine the questions related to creating standards for the Information Society will be held in Brussels on October 1-3, 1997. The Global Standards Conference, on building the Global Information Society for the 21st century, is a response to the recognition by the G7 Ministers in February 1995, of the importance of promoting interoperability to further develop the Global Information Society (GIS).

An international Steering Group, chaired by Mr. Bruno Lamborghini, Member of the Board of Olivetti, is coordinating the preparation of the Conference which focuses on market developments. The aim of the event is to provide an open forum for the essential market players in the Information Society to exchange views regarding actual and potential applications and to identify factors leading to the successful and rapid implementation. It will also explore new ways to facilitate development of new products, markets and applications, and investigate the standards (voluntary and mandatory) and related technical regulations, and finally share perspectives on the appropriate timing of the implementation of applications to meet GIS/GII needs.

The Conference will be opened by Commissioner Dr Martin Bangemann and other G7 Ministers, such as Dr Gunter Rexrodt (Germany), and will focus on four major themes, explored in parallel workshops on the second day, and each participating region has taken the lead role in coordinating one of the themes in synergy with the others : • Theme 1: Electronic Commerce (US) - covering topics such as banking, financial services, teleshopping and trade • Theme 2 : Services to the Public (Europe) - discussing information services, libraries, museums, distance welfare services, education, tele-medicine and intelligent transportation telematic systems • Theme 3 : Individual Use (Canada) - focusing on interactive entertainment, tele-learning and the provision of information and communications • Theme 4 : Communications Infrastructure Interoperability (Japan) - including statements from users, manufacturers and service providers, on technical convergence and related policy issues, and contributions from various global standards organisations The results of these thematic workshops will be summarised and presented to all Conference delegates for discussion in the plenary session on the third and final day of the event but a open discussion on the Web has been launched. The necessity to have a carefully balanced audience of deeply-interested actors, combined with the limited number of places available, imposes the necessity for early registration and payment of the 25.000 BEF fee. Registration forms, as well as all updates and relevant information on the Conference programme, can be found on the European Commission's ISPO Web site at http://www.ispo.cec.be/standards/conf97 and queries should be forwarded to the Conference secreatariat mailing box at [email protected]

Conference Secretariat European Commission -DG III - Industry with the support of CEN Rue de Stassart 36, B-1050, Brussels Tel : +32-2-511 7455 Fax : +32-2-5118723 http://www.ispo.cec.be/standards/conf97 email : [email protected]

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DG IV staff list Télécopieur central : 295 Ol 28

Directeur général Alexander SCHAUB 2952387/2954576

Directeur général adjoint Jean-François PONS 2994423/2962284 plus particulièrement chargé des Directions C et D Directeur général adjoint Gianfranco ROCCA 2951152/2951139 plus particulièrement chargé des Directions E et F

Conseiller auditeur Joseph GILCHRIST 2955673/2960246 télécopieur: 296957 (chargé également de la sécurité des informations) Stefan RATING 2994009 Assistant du Directeur général

directement rattachés au Directeur général : Irène SOUKA 2957206/2960189 1 Personnel. Budget, Administration. Information Guido VERVAET 2959224/2951305 2 Questions informatiques DIRECTION A Politique de concurrence, Coordination, Affaires Internationales et relations avec les autres Institutions Jonathan FAULL 2958658/2965201 Conseiller Juan RIVIÈRE MARTÍ 2951146/2960699 Conseiller Georges ROUNIS 2953404

1 Politique générale de la concurrence et Coordination Emil PAULIS 2965033/2966207 Chef adjoint d'unité

2 Affaires juridiques et législation Helmut SCHROTER 2951196/2955911 Chef adjoint d'unité

3 Affaires internationales Claude RAKOVSKY 2955389/2962368 Chef adjoint d'unité

DIRECTION B Task Force "Contrôle des opérations Götz DRAUZ 2958681/2952965 de concentration entre entreprises" Télécopieur du Greffe Concentrations 2964301/2967244 1 Unité opérationnelle I 2 Unité opérationnelle 11 3 Unité opérationnelle III Roger DAOUT 2965383/2965574 4 Unité opérationnelle IV Kirtikumar MEHTA 2957389/2952871

DIRECTION C Information, communication, multimédias John TEMPLE LANG 2955571/2954512

1 Télécommunications et Postes Herbert UNGERER 2968623/2968622 Coordination Société d'information ­ Cas relevant de l'Article 85/86 Suzette SCHIFF 2957657/2954785 ­ Directives and Liberalization, article 90 Christian HOCEPIED 2960427

2 Médias, éditions musicales Anne-Margrete WACHTMEISTER 2953895/2960266 ­ Aspects de propriété intellectuelle Sebastiano GUTTUSO 2951102/2954363

3 Indu, de l'information, électronique de divertissement Fin LOMHOLT 2955619/2951150

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DIRECTION D Services Humbert DRABBE 2950060/2952701

1 Services financiers (banques, assurances) Luc GYSELEN 2961523/2959987

2 Transports et infrastructures des transports Serge DURANDE 2957243/2954623

3 Commerce et autres services Jorma PIHLATIE 2953607 -

DIRECTION E Industries de base et énergie Rafael GARCIA-PALENCIA 2950253/2950900

1 Acier, métaux non ferreux, produits minéraux non Maurice GUERRIN 2951817/2951816 métalliques, bâtiment, bois, papier, verre

2 Prod, chimiques de base & transformés, caoutchouc Wouter PIEKÉ 2959824/2956422

3 Energie et eau Paul MALRIC-SMITH 2959675/2964903

4 Cartels et Inspections Pierre DUPRAT 2953524/2954850 Chef adjoint d'unité notamment chargé des Cartels Julian JOSHUA 2955519

DIRECTION F Industries des biens d'équipement et de consommation Sven NORBERG 2952178/2959031

1 Indu, mécaniques et électriques et industries diverses Franco GIUFFRIDA 2956084/2950663

2 Automobiles, autres moyens de transport Dieter SCHWARZ 2951880/2950479 et construction mécanique connexe

3 Produits agricoles, alimentaires, pharmaceutiques, textiles et autres biens de consommation Jürgen MENSCHING 2952224/2961179

DIRECTION G Aides d'Etat Asger PETERSEN 2955569/2958566 Conseiller Francisco F.STEVE RFY 2951140 Conseiller

Task Force "Aides dans les nouveaux Länder" Stefaan DEPYPERE 2990713/2952007

1 Politique des aides d'Etat Anne HOUTMAN 2959628/2969719 Chef adjoint d'unité

2 Aides horizontales Jean-Louis COLSON 2960995

3 Aides à finalité régionale Loretta DORMAL-MARINO 2968603/2952521 Chef adjoint d'unité Klaus-Otto JUNGINGER-DITTEL 2960376

4 Acier, métaux non ferreux, mines, construction navale automobiles et fibres synthétiques Martin POWER 2955436/2950991 Chef adjoint d'unité

5 Textiles, papier, industrie chimique, pharmaceutique, électroni que, construction mécanique & autres secteurs manufacturiers Cecilio MADERO VILLAREJO 2960949/2955900 Chef adjoint d'unité

6 Entreprises publiques et services Ronald FELTKAMP 2954283/2960450

7 Analyses.inventaires et rapports Reinhard WALTHER 2958434/2955410

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Danish ­ DA; Dutch ­ NL; English ­ Documentation... EN; Finnish ­ FI; French ­ FR; German This section contains details of recent speeches or articles given by ­ DE; Greek ­ GR; Italian ­ IT; Community officials that may be of interest. Copies of these Portuguese ­ PT; Spanish ­ ES; Swedish ­ SV). areavailable from DGIV's home page on the World Wide Web. Legislation Future issuesof the newsletter will contain details of conferences on competition policy which have ben brought to our attention. Competition law in the European Organisers of conferences that wish to make use of this facility Communities­Volume IA­Rules should refer to page 1 for the address of DGIV's Information Officer. applicable to undertakings Situation at 30 june 1994; this publication contains the text of all legislative acts relevant to Articles 85, 86 and 90. Catalogue Les enjeux économiques, sociaux et No: CM­29­93­A01­XX­C SPEECHES AND ARTICLES politiques de la concurrence en Europe (xx=language code: ES, DA, DE, GR. ­ VAN MIERT­ Forum Financier ­ EN, FR, IT, NL, PT). Arlon­ 13/05/97 The competition policy of the Competition law in the European European Union, its scope and impact L'aide d'état et l'environnement ­ Communities­Addendum to Volume NAESAGER ­ Asoc. distrib. électricité on the Member States ­ PONS ­ Kiev ­ ΙΑ­Rules applicable to undertakings ­ Bruxelles Swissôtel ­ 9/04/97 8/07/97 Situation at 1 March 1995. Catalogue No: CM­88­95­436­XX­C (xx=language The application of EU competition Mapping the New Open code: ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, IT, rules to the insurance sector. Past NL, PT). Telecommunications Marketplace developments and current priorities ­ ­ Van Miert ­ IIC ESTEVA MOSSO ­ British Insurance Competition law in the European Telecommunications Forum ­ Law Association Journal. ­ 1/03/97 Communities­Volume IIA­Rules Brussels ­ 7/07/97 applicable to State aid Situation at 31 COMMUNITY PUBLICATIONS ON December 1994; this publication The application of EC Competition law COMPETITION contains the text of all legislative acts to UK pub contracts: its scope and its relevant to Articles 42, 77, 90, 92 to limits ­ VAN ERPS ­ London ­ 94. Catalogue No: CM­29­93­A02­xx­ 17/06/97 C (xx=language code: ES, DA, DE, Unless otherwise indicated, these GR, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT). Competition and regulation in newly publications may be purchased form the sales agents of the European liberalised industries ­ VAN MIERT ­ Competition law in the EC­Volume II London University ­ London Communities (see last page); use ISBN or Catalogue Number to order. B­Explanation of rules applicable to 16/06/97 state aid Situation at December 1996 Catalogue No: CM­03­97­296­xx­C Videos Impact of digital technologies on the (xx=language code= FR; les autres telecommunications and television versions suivront) sectors ­ VAN MIERT­ LSE Alumni ­ Fair Competition in Europe Rome­ 12/06/97 Competition law in the European This short video outlining the Communities­Volume IIIA­Rules in principal aspects of European Competition in Telecommunications ­ the international field­ Situation at 31 competition policy is available from The Regulators Challenge UNGERER December 1996 (Edition 1997) the sales agents of EUR­OP, the Office ­ Asia Telecom 97 Forum ­ Singapour Catalogue No: CM­89­95­858­xx­C for Official Publications of the ­ 10/06/97 xx= language code: IT, ES; the other European Communities (price 20 versions will be available later) European Competition Policy ­ in ECU). particular developments in policy on Merger control in the European Union When ordering please quote the State aid control ­ SCHAUB ­ CIRFS Catalogue No: CV­88­95­428­xx­C catalogue number CV­ZV­97002­xx­V General Assembly ­ Brussels (xx=language code: ES, DA. DE, GR, (replace xx by the code for the 14/05/97 EN, FR, IT. NL, PT). language version you wish to buy:

64 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * *. fi bit* INFORMATION SECTION

Brochure concerning the competition Competition decisions traité CEE-64/72 Catalogue No: CM- rules applicable to undertakings as 76-92-996-xx-C (xx-DE, FR, IT, NL.) contained in the EEA agreement and Recueil des décisions de la their implementation by the EC Commission en matière d'aides d'Etat - Commission and the EFTA Article 93, paragraphe 2 (Décisions Competition reports surveillance authority. Catalogue No: finales négatives)- 1964-1995 CV-77-92-118-EN-C Catalogue No: CM-96-96-465-xx-C European Community Competition [xx=FR, NL, DE et IT (1964-1995); policy 1996 EN et DA (73-95); GR (81-95); (ES et Catalogue No: CM-03-97-967-xx-C Official documents PT (86-95); SV et FI (95)] (xx= ES*, DA*, DE*, GR*, EN*. FR*, IT*, NL*, PT*, FI*, SV*) Interim report of the multimodal group Reports of Commission Decisions - Presented to Commissioner Van relating to competition -Articles 85,86 XXV Report on Competition Policy Miert by Sir Bryan Carsberg, and 90 of the EC Treaty.-93/94 1995 Catalogue No: CM-94-96-429- Chairman of the Group (Ed. 1996). Catalogue No: CV-90-95-946-xx-C xx-C Catalogue No: CM-95-96-350-EN-C (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT) European Community Competition The institutional framework for the Policy 1995 Catalogue No: CM-94-96- regulation of telecommunications and Reports of Commission Decisions 421-xx-C (xx= ES*, DA*, DE*, GR*, the application of EC competition rules relating to competition -Articles 85,86 EN*, FR*, IT*, NL*, PT*, FI*, SV*) Final Report (Forrester Norall & and 90 of the EC Treaty.-90/92 Sutton). Catalogue No: CM-94-96- Catalogue No: CV-84-94-387-xx-C European Community competition 590-EN-C (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, IT, policy 1994 (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, NL, PT) EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, SV, FI ). Copies Competition aspects of access pricing- available through Cellule Information Report to the European Commission Reports of Commission Decisions DGIV December 1995 (M. Cave, P. relating to competition -Articles 85,86 Crowther, L. Hancher). Catalogue No: and 90 of the EC Treaty.-89/90 XXIV Report on competition policy CM-94-96-582-EN-C Catalogue No: CV-73-92-772-xx-C 1994 Catalogue No: CM-90-95-283- (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, IT, xx-C (xx-ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, Community Competition Policy in the NL, PT) IT, NL, PT, SV, FI) Telecommunications Sector (Vol. I: July 1995; Vol. II: March 1997) a Reports of Commission Decisions XXIIIe Report on competition policy compedium prepared by DG IV-C-1; it relating to competition -Articles 85,86 1993 Catalogue No: CM-82-94-650- contains Directives under art 90, and 90 of the EC Treaty.-86/88 xx-C (xx-ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, Decisions under Regulation 17 and Catalogue No: CM-80-93-290-xx-C IT, NL, PT) under the Merger Regulation as well as (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, IT, relevant Judgements of the Court of NL, PT) XXIIe Report on competition policy Justice. - Copies available through DG 1992 Catalogue No: CM-76-93-689- IV-C-1 (tel. +322-2968623, 2968622, Reports of Commission Decisions xx-C (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, fax+322-2969819). relating to competition -Articles 85,86 IT, NL, PT and 90 of the EC Treaty.-81/85 Brochure explicative sur les modalités Catalogue No: CM-79-93-792-xx-C XXIe Report on competition policy d'application du Règlement (CE) Nø (xx=DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, IT, NL.) 1991 Catalogue No: CM-73-92-247- 1475/95 de la Commission concernant xx-C (xx= ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, certaines catégories d' accords de Reports of Commission Decisions IT, NL, PT) distribution et de service de vente et relating to competition -Articles 85,86 d'après vente de véhicules automobiles and 90 of the EC Treaty.-73/80 Fifth survey on State aid in the - Copies available through DG IV-F-2 Catalogue No: CM-76-92-988-xx-C European Union in the manufacturing (tel. +322-2951880, 2950479, fax. (xx=DA, DE, EN, FR, IT, NL.) and certain other sectors [COM(97) +322-2969800) 170 final] (Edition 1997) Catalogue Recueil des décisions de la No: CB-CO-97-162-XX-C (xx= DE EN Commission en matièrre de FR) concurrence - Articles 85, 86 et 90 du

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4ième rapport sur les aides d'Etat dans Telecommunications Sector (Ed. 1995) Meeting universal service obligations l'Union Européenne dans le secteur des Catalogue No: CM-90-95-801-EN-C in a competitive telecommunications produits manufacturés et certains Proceedings of the 2nd EU/Japan sector (Ed. 1994) Catalogue No: CV- autres secteurs Catalogue No: CM-92- Seminar on competition (Ed. 1995) 83-94-757-EN-C 95-368-xx-C (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, Catalogue No: CV-87-95-321- EN-C. EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, SV, FI) Competition and integration: Other documents and studies Bierlieferungsverträge in den neuen Community merger control policy (Ed. EU-Mitgliedstaaten Österreich, 1994) Catalogue No: CM-AR-94-057- Examination of current and future Schweden und Finnland - Ed. 1996 EN-C excess capacity in the European Catalogue No: CV-01-96-074-DE-C automobyle industry - Ed. 1997 DE Growth, competitiveness, employment: Catalogue No: CV-06-97-036-EN-C The challenges and ways forward into Surveys of the Member States' powers the 21st century: White paper (Ed. Communication de la Commission: to investigate and sanction violations 1994) Catalogue No: CM 82 94 529 xx Les services d'intérêt général en of national competition laws (Ed. C (xx=ES, DA, DE, GR, EN, FR, IT, Europe (Ed. 1996) Catalogue No: CM- 1995) Catalogue No: CM-90- 95-089- NL, PT) 98-96-897-xx-C xx= DE, NL, GR, SV EN-C Growth, competitiveness, employ• Study of exchange of confidential Statistiques audiovisuelles: rapport ment: The challenges and ways information agreements and treaties 1995 Catalogue No: CA-99-56-948- forward into the 21st century: White between the US and Member States of EN-C paper (Ed. 1993)-Volume 2 Part C EU in areas of securities, criminal, tax Catalogue No: CM-NF-93-0629 A C and customs (Ed. 1996) Catalogue No: Information exchanges among firms CM-98-96-865-EN-C and their impact on competition (Ed. The geographical dimension of 1995) Catalogue No: CV-89-95-026- competition in the European single Survey of the Member State National EN-C market (Ed. 1993) Catalogue No: CV- Laws governing vertical distribution 78-93-136-EN-C agreements (Ed. 1996) Catalogue No: Impact of EC funded R&D CM-95-96-996-EN-C programmes on human resource International transport by air, 1993 development and long term Catalogue No: CA-28-96-001-XX-C Services de télécomunication en competitiveness (Ed. 1995) Catalogue xx-EN, FR, DE Europe: statistiques en bref. No:CG-NA-15-920-EN-C Commerce, services et transports, Les investissements dans les industries 1/1996 Catalogue No: CA-NP-96-001- Competition policy in the new trade du charbon et de l'acier de la xx-C xx-EN, FR, DE order: strengthening international Communauté: Enquête 1992 (Ed. cooperation and rules (Ed. 1995) 1993) 9 languages Catalogue No: CM Report by the group of experts on Catalogue No: CM-91-95-124-EN-C 76 93 6733 A C competition policy in the new trade order [COM(96)284 fin.] Catalogue Forum consultatif de la comptabilité: EG Wettbewerbsrecht und No: CM-92-95-853-EN-C subventions publiques (Ed. 1995) Zulieferbeziehungen der Catalogue No: C 184 94 735 FR C Automobilindustrie (Ed. 1992) New industrial economics and Catalogue No: CV-73-92-788-DE-C experiences from European merger Les investissements dans les industries control: New lessons about collective du charbon et de l'acier de la Green Paper on the development of the dominance ? (Ed. 1995) Catalogue No: Communauté: Rapport sur l'enquête single market for postal services, 9 CM-89-95-737-EN-C 1993 (Ed. 1995) Catalogue No: CM 83 languages Catalogue No: CD-NA-14- 94 2963 A C 858-EN-C Proceedings of the European Competition Forum (coédition with J. Study on the impact of liberalization of The effect of different state aid Wiley) -Ed. 1996 Catalogue No: CV- inward cross border mail on the measures on intra Community 88-95-985-EN-C provision of the universal postal competition (Ed. 1990) Catalogue No: service and the options for progressive CM 59 90 702 EN C Competition Aspects of liberalization (Ed. 1995) Final report, Interconnection Agreements in the Catalogue No: CV-89-95-018-EN-C

66 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * * * ft (^ ** -fi bit* INFORMATION SECTION

The effect of conglomerate mergers on 21/05/97 C 152 Notification of development of the internal market of competition (Ed. 1990) Catalogue No: cooperation arrangements (Case No Community postal services and the CM-59-90-039-EN-C IV/36.478/F-3) 13/06/97 C180 Telecommunications : 15/05/97 C 147 Notification of open network provision ONP list of OTHER PUBLICATIONS cooperation agreements (Case No standards (fifth issue) IV/36.391/F1) C 147 Notification of production agreement (Case No 7/05/97 C 140 Commission notice IV/36.306 - HMG/Endemol) concerning the status of voice on the Kartelrecht - VAN GERVEN, Internet pursuant to Directive GYSELEN, MARESCEAU, 3/05/97 C 137 Notification of an 90/388/EEC Supplement to the STUYCK, STEENBERGEN - Story agreement (Case No IV/36.442 - communication by the Commission to Scientia (1996), 1089 pages Inmarsat) the European Parliament and the (Beginselen van Belgisch Privaatrecht, Council on the status and Vol XIII) 19/04/97 C 121 Communication implementation of Directive pursuant to Article 5 of Council 90/388/EEC on competition in the Regulation No 19/65/EEC of 2 March markets for telecommunications PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL 1965 on the application of Article 85 services JOURNAL (3) of the Treaty to categories of agreements and concerted practices 1st April to 16 July 1997 Commission preliminary draft CONTROL OF CONCENTRATIONS / Regulation (EC) amending Regulations MERGER PROCEDURE (EEC) No 1983/83 and (EEC) No ARTICLES 85, 86 (RESTRICTIONS AND 1984/83 of 22 June 1983 on the 16/07/97 C 214 Prior notification of a DISTORTIONS OF COMPETITION BY application of Article 85 (3) of the concentration (Case No IV/M.963 - UNDERTAKINGS) Treaty to categories of exclusive Compaq/Tandem) C 214 Prior distribution agreements and exclusive notification of a concentration (Case 26/06/97 C196 Notification of a purchasing agreements C 121 No IV/M.941 - ADM/Acatos & standard-form selective distrivution Notification of a joint venture and Hutcheson/Soya Mainz) C 214 Non- contract (Case No IV/M.36.533/F-3) related agreements (Case No IV/E- opposition to a notified concentration 2/36.461 (Case No IV/M.908 21/06/97 C190 Communication PTA/STET/Mobilkom) C 214 Non- pusuant to Art. 5 of Council 18/04/97 C 120 Notification of a joint opposition to a notified concentration Regulation No 19/65/EEC of 2 March venture agreement for the pooling and (Case No IV/M.912 - Siemens/Huf) 1965 on the applicano of Article 85 (3) exploitation of broadcasting rights to of the Treaty to categories of the Spanish League and Cup football 15/07/97 C 213 Non-opposition to a agreements and concerted practices championships (Case IV/36.438 notified concentration (Case No Audiovisual Sport) IV/M.930 - Ferrostaal/DSD) C 213 18/06/97 C185 Communication of Non-opposition to a notified agricultural structure decisions C185 concentration (Case No IV/M.894 - Notice pursuant to larticle 12 (2) of ARTICLE 90 Rheinmetall/British Aerospace/STN Council Regulation (EEC) No 4056/86 (LIBERALISATION) Atlas) C 213 Non-opposition to a and Article 12 (2) of Council notified concentration (Case No Regulation (EEC) No 1017/68 11/07/97 L 183 DECISION No IV/M.933 - ICI/Unilever) concerning case No IV/36.282 1336/97/EC OF THE EUROPEAN Arrangements between Sea-Land, PARLIAMENT AND OF THE 12/07/97 C 211 Prior notification of a P&O Nedlloyd, Maersk and OOCL COUNCIL of 17 June 1997 on a series concentration (Case No IV/M.723 - ('Vessel Sharing Agreements') of guidelines for trans-European Alcoa/Elkem) telecommunications networks 3/06/97 C 168 Notification of 11/07/97 C 210 Prior notification of a agreements (Case No IV/36.474 - 19/06/97 C188 Common Position (EC) notified concentration (Case No IBM/STET) No 25/97 adopted by the Council on 29 IV/M.918 - Klöckner/ODS) April 1997 with a view to adopting Directive 97/.../EC of the Eu. Pari, and 9/07/97 L 180 COUNCIL of the Council on common rules for the REGULATION (EC) No 1310/97 of

Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 67 * * * * ** *ώ bit* INFORMATION SECTION

30 June 1997 amending Regulation 1/07/97 C 201 Non-opposition to a C 173 Prior notification of a (EEC) No 4064/89 on the control of notified concentration (Case No concentration (Case No IV/M.885 - concentrations between undertakings IV/M.878 - RTL 7) C 201 Non- Merck/Rhône-Poulenc/Merial) C 173 opposition to a notified concentration Prior notification of a concentration 8/07/97 C 207 Non-opposition to a (Case No IV/M.849 - ELG (Case No IV/M.948 - Watt AG) notified concentration (Case No Haniel/Jewometaal) IV/M.896 - Tenneco/KNP BT) C 207 6/06/97 C 172 Prior notification of a Non-opposition to a notified 28/06/97 C 198 Withdrawal of concentration (Case No IV/M.946 - concentration (Case No IV/M.916 - notification of a concentration (Case Intermarch,/SPAR) Lyonnaise des Eaux/Suez) C 207 Prior No IV/M.892 - Hochtier/Deutsche notification of a notified concentration Bank/Holzmann) C 198 Initiation of 3/06/97 C 168 Prior notification of a (Case No IV/M.942 - VEBA/Degussa) proceedings (Case No IV/M.938 - concentration (Case No IV/M.929 - Guinness/Grand Metropolitan) C 198 DIA/VEBA Immobilien/Deutschbau) 5/07/97 C 205 Non-opposition to a Withdrawal of notification of a C 168 Prior notification of a notified concentration (Case No concentration (Case No IV/M.948 - concentration (Case No IV/M.930 - IV/M.835 - Recticel/Greiner) C 205 Watt AG) C 198 Non-opposition to a Ferrostaal/DSD) C 168 Non-opposition Prior notification of a notified notified concentration (Case No to a notified concentration (Case No concentration (Case No IV/M.962 - IV/M.875 - DBV/Gothaer/GPM) C IV/M.827 - DBKOM) C 168 Daimler Benz/Deutsche 198 Prior notification of a Inapplicability of the Regulation to a Telekom/Telematik) concentration (Case No IV/M.937 - notified operation (Case No IV/M.904 Lear/Keiper) - RSB/Tenex/Fuel Logistic) 4/07/97 C 204 Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case No 24/06/97 C192 Prior notification of a 29/05/97 C 162 Prior notification of a IV/M.907 - Agos/Itafinco) concentration (Case No IV/M.953 - concentration (Case No IV/M.939 - Thomson/Siemens/ATM) BankAmerica/General 3/07/97 C 203 Non-opposition to a Electric/Cableuropa) C 162 Non- notified concentration (Case No 19/06/97 C187 Prior notification of a opposition to a notified concentration IV/M.920 - Samsung/AST) C 203 concentration (Case No IV/M.932 - (Case No IV/M.914 - Tesco/ABF) C Non-opposition to a notified SEHB/VIAG/PE-Bewag) 162 Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case No IV/M.909 - concentration (Case No IV/M.879 - Worms/Saint-Louis) 18/06/97 C185 Prior notification of a Vendex (Vedior)/bis) concentration (Case No IV/M.951 - 2/07/97 L 174 COMMISSION Cable & Wireless/Maersk data-Nautec) 28/05/97 C 161 Prior notification of a DECISION of 19 February 1997 concentration (Case No IV/M.923 - setting out measures in order to restore 13/06/97 C180 Prior notification of a Deutsche Bank/Dresdner Bank/ESG) effective competition (Case No IV/M. concentration (Case No IV/M.940 - 784 - Kesko/Tuko) (Only the English UBS/Mister Minit) 27/05/97 C 160 Non-opposition to a text is authentic) (Text with EEA notified concentration (Case No relevance) C 202 OPINION of the 11/06/97 C 177 Completion of a IV/M.886 MRW/MHP) C 160 Non- Advisory Committee on notification (Case No IV/M.922 - opposition to a notified concentration Concentrations given at the 43rd VIAG/Goldschmidt) (Case No IV/M.873 Bank meeting on 5 February 1997 Austria/Creditanstalt) C 160 Non- concerning a preliminary draft 10/06/97 C 176 Prior notification of a opposition to a notified concentration Decision relating to Case No IV/M.784 concentration (Case No IV/M.943 - (Case No IV/M.900 BT/TELE Kesko/Tuko C 202 Prior notification of CGEAÆVS/DEGV) C 176 Prior DK/SBB/Migros/UBS) a concentration (Case No IV/M.913 - notification of a concentration (Case Siemens/Elektrowatt) C 202 Non- No IV/M.951 - Cable & 24/05/97 C 156 Prior notification of a opposition to a notified concentration Wireless/Maersk Data-Nautec) concentration (Case No IV/M.938 - (Case No IV/M.867 - Wagons- Guinness/Grand Metropolitan) C 156 Lits/Carlson) C 202 Non-opposition to 7/06/97 C 173 Prior notification of a Prior notification of a concentration a notified concentration (Case No concentration (Case No IV/M.949 - (Case No IV/M.845 - BASF/Hoechst) IV/.902 Warner M,d,ric/Urrpimmec/CRI/Münich RE) C 156 Non-opposition to a notified Bros./Lusomundo/Sogecable) C 173 Prior notification of a concentration (Case No IV/M.876 - concentration (Case No IV/M.910 - Telia/Ericsson) CLF CCB (Dexia)/San Paolo/Crediop)

68 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * ft ** Jb bit* (% INFORMATION SECTION

23/05/97 C 154 Prior notification of a 1/05/97 C 136 Initiation of proceedings IV/M.874 - AMEC/Financière SPIE concentration (Case No IV/M.936 - (Case No IV/M.877 Batignolles/SPIE Batignolles) Siebe PLC/APV PLC) Boeing/McDonnell Douglas) 15/04/97 C 117 Commission notice 22/05/97 C 153 Prior notification of a 30/04/97 C 135 Prior notification of a concerning the alliance agreements concentration (Case No IV/M.934 - concentration (Case No IV/M.922 - between KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Auchan/Leroy Merlin/IFIL/La VIAG/Goldschmidt) C 135 Prior and Northwest Airlines, Inc. Rinascente) notification of a concentration (Case No IV/M.920 - Samsung/AST) 12/04/97 C 114 Withdrawal of 17/05/97 C 149 Non-opposition to a notification of a concentration (Case notified concentration (Case No 26/04/97 L 110 COMMISSION No IV/M.905 - Schweizer IV/M.857 - British Airways/Air DECISION of 20 November 1996 Rück/SAFR) C 114 Prior notification Libert,) C 149 Prior notification of a declaring a concentration to be of a concentration (Case No IV/M.902 concentration (Case No IV/M.917 - incompatible with the common market - Warner Bros/Lusomundo/Sogecable) Valinox/Timet) (Case No IV/M.784 - Kesko/Tuko) C 114 Prior notification of a Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 concentration (Case No IV/M.907 - 16/05/97 C 148 Initiation of (Only the English text is authentic) Agos Itafinco) C 114 Non-opposition proceedings (Case No IV/M.833 - The (Text with EEA relevance) C 130 to a notified concentration (Case No Coca-Cola Company/Carlsberg A/S) C OPINION of the Advisory Committee IV/M.812 - Allianz/Vereinte) 148 Prior notification of a on Concentrations given at the 40th 3/04/97 C 104 Prior notification of a concentration (Case No IV/M.919 - meeting on 5th November 1996 concentration (Case No IV/M.896 - Abeille Vie/Viagère/Sinafer concerning a preliminary draft Tenneco/KNP BT) Decision relating to Case IV/M.784 - 14/05/97 C 146 Prior notification of a Kesko/Tuko 2/04/97 C 103 Prior notification of a concentration (Case No IV/M.908 - concentration (Case No IV/M.833 - PTA/SMH/Mobilkom) C 146 Prior 24/04/97 C 127 Prior notification of a The Coca-Cola Company/Carlsberg notification of a concentration (Case concentration (Case No IV/M.892 - A/S) C 103 Prior notification of a No IV/M.916 - Lyonnaise des Hochtief/Deutsche Bank/P. Holzmann) concentration (Case No IV/M.912 - Eaux/Suez) C 146 Non-opposition to a Siemens/HUF) C 103 Non-opposition notified concentration (Case No 22/04/97 C 125 Non-opposition to a to a notified concentration (Case No IV/M.866 - Cereol/Ösat-Ölmühle) C notified concentration (Case No IV/M.855 - BT/NS-Telfort) C 103 146 Prior notification of a IV/M.869 - BGT/EHG - AIM) Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case No IV/M.911 - concentration (Case No IV/M.868 - Clariant/Hoechst) 19/04/97 C 121 Non-opposition to a GKN/Brambles/Mabeg) C 103 Prior notified concentration (Case No notification of a concentration (Case 13/05/97 C 145 Prior notification of a IV/M.773 - Westinghouse/Equipos No IV/M.891 Deutsche concentration (Case No IV/M.909 - Nucleares) C 121 Non-opposition to a Bank/Commerzbank/J. M. Voith) Worms/Saint-Louis) notified concentration (Case No IV/M.883 - Prudential/HSBC/Finnish 7/05/97 C 140 Prior notification of a Chemicals) STATE AID concentration (Case No IV/M.920 - Samsung/AST) 18/04/97 C 120 Non-opposition to a 10/07/97 C 209 Authorization for State notified concentration (Case No aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA 6/05/97 C 139 Prior notification of a IV/M.887 - Castle Agreement and Article 1 (3) of concentration (Case No IV/M.906 - Tower/TDF/Candover/Berkshire- Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Mannesmann/Vallourec) HSCo) C 120 Non-opposition to a Court Agreement EFTA Surveillance notified concentration (Case No Authority decision not to raise 3/05/97 C 137 Prior notification of a IV/M.880 - Schweizer RE/Uniorias) C objections C 209 Commission concentration (Case No IV/M.915 - 120 Non-opposition to a notified Communication on State aid elements Tyco/ADT) C 137 Non-opposition to a concentration (Case No IV/M.882 - in sales of land and buildings by public notified concentration (Case No ADM/Grace) authorities IV/M.786 - Birmingham International Airport) 16/04/97 C 118 Non-opposition to a 9/07/97 C 208 Authorization for State notified concentration (Case No aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of

Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 69 ft * (% * ft **ft** -fi INFORMATION SECTION

the EC Treaty Cases where the C196 State aid C 18/97 (ex N 727/96 the EC Treaty Cases where the Commission raises no objections and NN 1/97) Germany Commission raises no objections

8/07/97 C 207 Authorization for State 25/06/97 C194 Authorization for State 14/05/97 C 146 Authorization for State aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty Cases where the the EC Treaty Cases where the the EC Treaty Cases where the Commission raises no objections C 207 Commission riases no objections C194 Commission raises no objections C 146 Authorization for State aid pursuant to State aid C 17/97 (N 639/96) Portugal Guidelines on State aid for Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty undertakings in deprived urban areas Cases where the Commission raises no 24/06/97 C192 State aid C 23/97 (ex N objections C 207 STATE AID C 44/96 90/97) Germany C192 State aid C 8/05/97 C 141 Authorization for State France 22/97 (ex NN 8/97) Germany C192 aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of State aid C 7/97 (ex E 13/92) Italy the EC Treaty Cases where the 5/07/97 C 205 Community guidelines Commission raises no objections on State aid to maritime transport 13/06/97 C179 STATE AID C 38/92 Italy C179 STATE AID C 54/91 (ex 7/05/97 C 140 STATE AID C 15/97 4/07/97 C 204 STATE AID C 21/97 N175/91,N177/91,N178/91) France (ex NN 13/97) Portugal C 140 STATE (ex NN 113/A/93) Italy C 204 STATE AID C 14/97 (ex NN 15/97) Italy AID C 43/91 (ex N 70/91) Germany C 7/06/97 C 173 Authorization for State 204 STATE AID C 33/97 (ex NN aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of 6/05/97 C 139 Authorization for State 39/97) Spain (Balearic Islands) the EC Treaty Cases where the aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of 2/07/97 C 202 STATE AID C 49/91 Commission raises no objections the EC Treaty Cases where the The Netherlands C 202 Approval of a Commission raises no objections C 139 State aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 6/06/97 C 172 Authorization for State Approval of a State aid pursuant to of the EC Treaty Cases where the aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty Commission raises no objections State the EC Treaty Cases where the Cases where the Commission does not aid N 452/96 - United Kingdom Commission raises no objections C 172 raise objections State aid N 781/96 - STATE AID C 16/97 (ex NN 9/96) The United Kingdom 1/07/97 C 201 STATE AID C 11/97 Germany (ex N 340/B/96) Italy C 201 3/05/97 C 137 STATE AID 2/96 Spain Authorization for State aid pursuant to 30/05/97 C 163 STATE AID C 4/97 Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty (ex NN 35/93) France C 163 STATE 1/05/97 C 136 Authorization for State Cases where the Commission raises no AID C 3/97 (ex N 546/96) Italy aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA objections Agreement and Article 11 of the Act 22/05/97 C 153 Proposal for a Council referred to in point lb of Annex XV to 28/06/97 C 198 Commission Regulation (EC) on aid to certain the EEA Agreement EFTA communication on the method of shipyards under restructuring and Surveillance Authority decision not to application of Article 92 (3) (c) of the amending Council Regulation (EC) No raise objections EC Treaty to national regional aid C 3094/95 198 STATE AID Italy 30/04/97 C 135 STATE AID C 12/97 17/05/97 C 149 STATE AID C 19/97 (ex N 541/96) Spain (La Rioja) 27/06/97 C 197 Authorization for State (ex NN 43/96) C 20/97 (ex N 136/97) aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of France 29/04/97 C 134 Authorization for State

the EC Treaty Cases where the I aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of Commission raises no objections C 197 16/05/97 C 148 Authorization for State the EC Treaty Cases where the Authorization for State aid pursuant to aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of Commission raises no objections Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty the EC Treaty Cases where the Cases where the Commission raises no Commission raises no objections C 25/04/97 C 129 Authorization for State objections 148 Authorization for State aid aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of the the EC Treaty Cases where the 26/06/97 C196 State aid C 26/96 (ex N EC Treaty Cases where the Commission raises no objections C 129 948/95) Spain C196 State aid C 24/97 Commission raises no objections Authorization for State aid pursuant to (NN 24/97) Germany C196 State aid C Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty 26/97 (ex NN 72/96) Spain (Andalusia) 15/05/97 C 147 Authorization for State Cases where the Commission raises no aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of objections

**** 70 Competition Policy Newsletter * *L f/7K V v Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 ** ώft \ \>- ft** V v^~^· INFORMATION SECTION

24/04/97 L 106 COMMISSION COURT OF JUSTICE / COURT crédit ­ Fixation des taux d'intérêts DECISION of 18 December 1996 créditeurs OF FIRST INSTANCE ECSC steel ­ Forges de Clabecq (Only the French and Dutch texts are Aff. C­155/97 Commission / Belgique authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) : Manquement d'Etat ­ Défaut d'avoir C 127 Authorization for State aid Affaires introduites devant la Cour mis fin à l'infraction décrite à l'article pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of the premier de la décision de la EC Treaty Cases where the Aff. C­89/97 Ρ R Moccia Irme SpA / Commission C(95)1296, du 28 juin Commission raises no objections Commission : Pourvoi contre l'ordon­ 1995, au titre de l'art. 90, par. 3, du nance du Président du Tribunal, rendue traité CE, concernant le système de 23/04/97 C 126 STATE AID C 13/97 le 17 décembre 1996, dans l'affaire Τ­ rabais sur les redevances d'atterrissage Ι 64/96 R opposant Moccia Irme à la (ex NN 12/97) France à l'aéroport de Bruxelles­National Commission ­ Rejet d'une demande, (Zaventem) présentée conformément à l'art. 39 du 22/04/97 C 125 STATE AID C 16/96 traité CECA, visant notamment à (ex N 205/96) France Aff. C­174/97 Ρ Fédération française obtenir le sursis à exécution de la des sociétés d'assurances (FFSA) e.a. / décision de la Commission du 30 19/04/97 C 121 STATE AID C 46/96 Commission : Pourvoi contre l'arrêt du juillet 1996 déclarant incompatibles Portugal Tribunal (troisième chambre élargie), avec le marché commun de l'acier les rendu le 27 février 1997, dans l'affaire mesures d'aides d'Etat projetées par 18/04/97 C 120 STATE AID C 60/96 T­106/95 opposant la Fédération l'Italie en faveur, entre autres, de la française des Sociétés d'Assurances (ex NN 102/96 and NN 103/96) requérante Germany (FFSA) à la Commission ­ Annulation 17/04/97 C 119 STATE AID C 6/97 de la décision de la Commission du 8 (ex NN 105/96) Germany C 119 Aff. C­95/97 Région wallonne / février 1995 relative à une procédure STATE AID C 5/97 (ex NN 68/96) Commission : Annulation de la d'application de l'art. 93 du traité CE décision C(96)4289 final de la Germany (aides d'Etat ­ activités concurrentielles Commission concernant des aides 15/04/97 C 117 Authorization for State de la Poste française) d'Etat en faveur de l'entreprise Forges aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of de Clabecq ­ Aides au sens de l'art. 1er, the EC Treaty Cases where the Aff. C­204/97 Portugal/Commission : par. 2, de la décision 3855/91/CECA Commission raises no objections Annulation de la décision de la instituant des règles communautaires Commission du 6 novembre 1996 pour les aides à la sidérurgie 10/04/97 L 95 Corrigendum to Council concernant l'aide d'Etat N 703/95 ­ Regulation (EC) No 2250/95 of 18 France ­ Aides aux producteurs de vins September 1995 amending for the fifth Aff. C­123/97 Tommaso Nalon / Ente de liqueur et d'eaux­de­vie ­ Aides time Regulation (EEC) No 1866/86 Poste Italiane : Préjudicielle ­ Pretura concédées par l'Etat français dans le laying down certain technical measures circondariale di Padova ­ Interprétation contexte d'une augmentation de taxes for the conservation of fishery des art. 92, par. 1, et 93 du traité CE ­ internes resources in the waters of the Baltic Notion d'aides accordées par les Etats ou bien au moyen de ressources d'Etat ­ Sea, the Belts and the Sound (Official Affaires introduites devant le Loi nationale prévoyant qu'un seul Journal of the European Communities Tribunal No L 230 of 27 September 1995) organisme d'intérêt public soit dispensé de l'observation d'une règle d'application générale en matière de Aff. T­46/97 Sociedade Independente 10/04/97 C 112 STATE AID C 41/96 contrats de travail à durée déterminée ­ de Comunicação SA (SIC) / (ex NN 182/95) The Netherlands Inclusion Commission : Annulation des décisions de la Commission, des 7 4/04/97 C 106 Authorization for State novembre et 20 décembre 1996 Aff. C­138/97 Vincenzo Farina / aid pursuant to Articles 92 and 93 of concernant la plainte déposée par la Credito Italiano SpA : Préjudicielle ­ the EC Treaty Cases where the requérante sur le fondement des art. 92 Tribunale di Genova ­ Interprétation Commission raises no objections et 93 du traité CE, relative aux aides des art. 85 et 86 du traité CE ­ Secteur prétendument accordées par les bancaire d'un Etat membre appliquant, 3/04/97 C 104 STATE AID C 63/96 autorités portugaises à la RTP dans ses rapports avec les clients (ex NN 99/96) Germany (Radiotelevisão Portuguesa) titulaires de comptes courants, des conditions uniformes relatives à l'ouverture et la garantie d'une ligne de Aff. T­49/97 TAT European Airlines SA / Commission : Annulation de la

Competition Policy Newsletter *** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 71 it ** * ft *ft*** ** (^ INFORMATION SECTION

décision de la Commission autorisant Head Tyrolia Mares sous forme EC- Competition Policy Newsletter, le paiement de la troisième tranche de d'injections de capital Autumn/end 1997 l'aide en faveur d'Air France, approuvée par la décision de la Aff. T-130/97 Nuova Sidercamuna XXVI Report on Competition Policy Commission, du 27 juillet 1994, SpA / Commission : Annulation de la 1996 consistant en une augmentation de décision de la Commission C(96)4288 capital payable en trois tranches def., du 18 décembre 1996, déclarant L'application des articles 85/86 par les incompatibles avec le marché commun juridictions nationales Aff. T-62/97 Société générale SA / les aides d'Etat que le gouvernement Commission : Annulation de la italien projette d'accorder à certaines Competition Law in the European décision de la Commission, de ne pas entreprises dans le cadre de la Communities - volume IB soulever d'objections à l'égard des restructuration du secteur sidérurgique Explanation of rules applicable to aides urgentes supplémentaires que la undertakings France à décider d'accorder au Crédit Aff. T-134/97 Kesko OY/Commission Lyonnais : Annulation de la décision de la Commission, du 19 février 1997, Aff. T-70/97 Région wallonne / exposant les mesures considérées DG IV on the World Commission : Annulation de la appropriées pour rétablir une Wide Web décision C(96) 4289 final de la concurrence effective (affaire n. Commission, du 18 décembre 1996, IV/M.784 - Kesko/Tuko), en qualifiant les mesures prises par les application de l'art. 8, par. 4, du autorités belges en faveur de la société règlement n. 4064/89 du Conseil, Forges de Clabecq d'aides relatif au contrôle des opérations de DG IV has a home page on the Europa incompatibles avec le marché commun, concentration entre entreprises server available on the World wide au sens de la décision 3855/91/CECA Web. Our address is : instituant des règles communautaires Aff. T-184/97 BP Chemicals Ltd / http .-//europa, eu. int/en/comm/dg04/d pour les aides à la sidérurgie Commission : Annulation de la g4home.htm décision de la Commission de ne pas Aff. T-85/97 Interprovinciale des soulever d'objections au titre des Fédérations d'Hôteliers, Restaurateurs dispositions relatives aux aides d'Etat, et Cafetiers de Wallonie ASBL à l'égard de l'exonération de la taxe (Horeca-Wallonie) / Commission : intérieure sur les produits pétroliers Annulation de la décision de la que la France entend accorder à Commission déclarant compatibles certains biocarburants (Aide d'Etat n. avec le marché commun, en application N 941/96-France) de l'art. 92, par. 3, alinéa c), du traité CE, les aides prévues dans le projet de Aff. T-189/97 Comité d'entreprise de décret de la région wallonne relatif au la Société Française de Production e.a. tourisme social / Commission : Annulation de la décision de la Commission, du 2 Aff. T-122/97 Ferriera Lamifer SpA / octobre 1996, concernant l'aide Commission : Annulation de la octroyée par le gouvernement français décision de la Commission C(96) 4288 à la société de production audiovisuelle def, du 18 décembre 1996, déclarant Société française de production incompatibles avec le marché commun les aides d'Etat que le gouvernement italien projette d'accorder à certaines entreprises dans le cadre de la Coming up restructuration du secteur sidérurgique

Aff. T-123/97 Salomon SA / The following publications are under Commission : Annulation de la preparation by DG IV décision 97/81/CE, du 30 juillet 1996, relative aux aides accordées par le gouvernement autrichien à l'entreprise

72 Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 * ft ** *ώ (^ bit* INFORMATION SECTION

Case covered in this issue

Anti-trust Rules

16 Liner Shipping Consortia 19 UIP Pay-TV Joint Operational Service Agreement 20 P&I Clubs West Coast: Mediterranean Agreement 21 Electrabel 17 Irish Sugar 25 Horizontal Co-operation Agreements Abattage de Bovins

Mergers

26 Merger Review 31 Guinness / Grand Metropolitan 27 Article 8 of Regulation 4064/89 32 Lyonnaise-des-Eaux / Suez 28 Anglo American / Lonrho 32 Article 9 of Regulation 40 64/89 28 British Telecom / MCI 32 Rheinmetall / British Aerospace 31 Article 6 of Regulation 4064/89 STN Atlas 31 The Coca-Cola Company/ Carlsberg

Libéralisation

35 Traité d'Amsterdam et Politique Communautaire de Concurrence

State Aid

42 Fifth Survey on State Aid 46 French Textile Plan 43 Ferdofin srl 47 Philips Semiconductor B.V 44 Philips and Rabobank 47 Triptis Porzellan GmbH 44 Olivetti S.p.A. 48 S.A.L. Ponsal 45 Hoffmann-La Roche 48 Opel 45 Casa

International

52 Bilateral Relations with the United States of America 54 Organisation Mondiale du Commerce 56 Competition Conference in Sofia 61 Global Standards Conference

Competition Policy Newsletter ***** Volume 3 Number 2 Summer 1997 73 ft * (^ * ώft *ft*** * PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP YOU INFORMED

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