2002/377/EC: Commission Decision of 17 October 2001 on the State aid implemented by Germany for Neue Harzer Werke GmbH (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2001) 3018)

Article 1

The State aid which Germany has implemented for Neue Harzer Werke GmbH amounting to EUR 1022588 (DEM 2 million) is incompatible with the common market.

Article 2

Germany shall take all necessary measures to recover, from the beneficiary, the aid referred to in Article 1 and unlawfully made available to the beneficiary.
Recovery shall be effected without delay and in accordance with the procedures of national law provided that they allow the immediate and effective execution of the decision. The aid to be recovered shall include interest from the date on which it was at the disposal of the beneficiary until the date of its recovery. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of the reference rate used for calculating the grant-equivalent of regional aid.
For the purposes of this Article the term "beneficiary" comprises not only NHW but any other undertaking to which assets have been transferred in such a way as to deprive paragraph 1 of effect.

Article 3

Germany shall inform the Commission, within two months of notification of this Decision, of the measures taken to comply with it.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany.
Done at Brussels, 17 October 2001.
For the Commission
Mario Monti
Member of the Commission
(1) SG(2000) D/104924.
(2) OJ C 301, 21.10.2000, p. 16.
(3) BvS registered a claim of DEM 2 million and interests of DEM 0,487 million as part of the bankruptcy estate. Saxony-Anhalt via the Landesförderinstitut (hereinafter LFI) put in claims totalling DEM 4,3 million.
(4) The possibility of an "Insolvenzplanverfahren" was introduced by the new insolvency code of 1999. In an early hearing, the creditor assembly opts for the liquidation or the maintenance of the business. It can then require the administrator to set up an "Insolvenzplan", which is, in line with the option chosen, a liquidation or a restructuring plan. The plan is to be endorsed by the creditors, the latter being organised in groups, acting by majority of votes and of claims. The insolvency tribunal needs to confirm the plan. In line with 245 InsO this confirmation of the tribunal prevails over the rejection of a group.
(5) The LFI, a Land entity, is in charge of the programme N 74/95 Konsolidierungsfond des Landes Saxony-Anhalt.
(6) OJ C 368, 23.12.1994, p. 12.
(7) See letter of 12.8.2001.
(8) See letter of 27.12.2000.
(9) Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22.3.1999, laying down detailed rules for Article 88 of the EC Treaty (OJ L 83, 27.3.1999).
(10) OJ L 107, 30.4.1996, p. 4.
(11) In the year 1995 it had 203 employees and achieved a turnover of some DEM 21 million. The independence criterion pursuant to Article 1(3) of the Recommendation was likewise met.
(12) N 123/97 "Gemeinschaftsaufgabe, Förderung der regionalen Wirtschaftsaufgabe," 26th plan; measures under this law qualify as regional investment aid.
(13) See p. 16 of the insolvency plan.
(14) N 494/A/95 Investitionszulagengesetz 1993, in the version of 1996; measures under this law qualify as regional investment aid.
(15) Since investment totalling DEM 6,607 million was effected until 31 December 1998, the intensity amounts to 8,03 %.
(16) N 337/96 Richtlinie zur Förderung von Konsolidierungsbeteiligungen im Mittelstand (Saxony-Anhalt).
(17) N 74/95 Konsolidierungsfond des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt.
(18) OJ C 74, 10.3.1998, p. 9.
(19) OJ C 368, 23.12.1994, p. 12.
(20) See chapter 7.5. of the 1999 Restructuring Guidelines (OJ C 288, 9.10.1999, p. 2).
(21) See European Construction Industry Association, "Construction activity in Europe", 2000, p. 33.
(22) See insolvency plan, p. 13.
(23) See C 42/97 Everts GmbH, letter of 4.10.1999, SG (99) D/7944, p. 10.
(24) See page 18 of the insolvency plan.
(25) No 1, point 4 of Article 60 GmbHG.
(26) See also C 36/2000, Graf v. Henneberg, letter of 27.4.2001, SG (2001) D/288186, p. 23.
(27) OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1.
(28) NN 5/2000 Messacon GmbH, letter of 27.10.2000, SG (2000) D/107934; N 4/2000 Schiffsanlagenbau Barth GmbH, letter of 8.1.2001, SG (2001) D/200101.
(29) NN 6/2000 Eisenguss Torgelow GmbH, letter of 3.3.2000.
(30) NN 6/2000 Eisenguss Torgelow GmbH, letter of 4.7.2000.

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