1999/148/EC, ECSC: Commission Decision of 13 May 1998 on State aid granted by Italy by way of tax relief under Law No 549/95 to firms in the motor vehicle, shipbuilding and synthetic fibres industries and to steel firms covered by the ECSC Treaty (notified under document number C(1998) 1434) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance)

• Articles: 5

Article 1

The State aid granted by Italy under Law No 549/95 by way of tax relief to steel firms covered by the ECSC Treaty is illegal, since it was granted in breach of Article 6(1) of Decision No 2496/96/ECSC.

It is also incompatible with the common market for coal and steel by virtue of Article 4(c) of the ECSC Treaty.

Article 2

Italy shall recover the aid referred to in Article 1 in accordance with the provisions of Italian law relating to the recovery of amounts owed to the public authorities. In order to counteract the effects of the aid, interest shall be charged on the amount of the aid from the date on which it was granted until the date it is reimbursed. The interest rate applicable shall be that used by the Commission to calculate the net grant equivalent of regional aid schemes in the period in question.

Article 3

Italy is required to provide the Commission, within one month of the notification of this Decision, with all the necessary information and explanations enabling it to assess the compatibility with the common market of the State aid granted under Law No 549/95 to firms in the shipbuilding, motor vehicle and synthetic fibres industries.

That aid is illegal, since it was granted in breach of the prior notification requirement laid down in Article 93(3) of the EC Treaty.

Article 4

Italy shall inform the Commission, within two months of the notification of this Decision, of the measures taken to comply herewith.

Article 5

This Decision is addressed to the Italian Republic.

Done at Brussels, 13 May 1998.

For the Commission

Karel VAN MIERT

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 338, 28. 12. 1996, p. 42.

(2) OJ C 268, 4. 9. 1997, p. 4.

(3) OJ C 213, 13. 7. 1996, p. 4.

(4) See footnote 2.

(5) OJ L 380, 31. 12. 1990, p. 27.

(6) OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p. 18.

(7) OJ C 94, 30. 3. 1996, p. 11.

(8) OJ C 142, 8. 6. 1995, p. 4.

(9) OJ C 123, 18. 5. 1989, p. 3.

(10) OJ C 81, 26. 3. 1991, p. 4.

(11) OJ C 36, 10. 2. 1993, p. 17.

(12) OJ C 284, 28. 10. 1995, p. 3.

(13) OJ C 279, 15. 9. 1997, p. 1.