COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2020/1814
of 28 June 2019
ON THE STATE AID SA.33846 – (2015/C) (ex 2014/NN) (ex 2011/CP) implemented by Finland for Helsingin Bussiliikenne Oy
(notified under document C(2019) 3152)
(Only the Finnish and Swedish texts are authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 108(2) thereof,
Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a),
Having regard to the decision by which the Commission initiated the procedure laid down in Article 108(2) of the Treaty of the functioning of the European Union (1),
Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above (2) and having regard to their comments,
Whereas:
1.
PROCEDURE
(1) On 31 October 2011, Nobina Sverige AB and Nobina Finland Oy lodged a complaint to the Commission alleging that Finland granted unlawful aid to Helsingin Bussiliikenne Oy (‘HelB’). On 15 November 2011, Nobina AB – the parent company of Nobina Sverige AB and Nobina Finland Oy – joined the complaint. Nobina Sverige AB, Nobina Finland Oy and Nobina AB are hereinafter jointly referred to as ‘the complainants’. The complainants provided additional information on 12 December 2011, 27 February 2012, 4 April 2012, 21 June 2012 and 4 September 2012.
(2) The complaint along with the Commission’s request for information in English was forwarded to Finland for comments on 22 November 2011. The Finnish translation of the complaint was sent to Finland on 1 February 2012. Finland’s comments were provided, together with additional information, by letter dated 28 February 2012.
(3) The comments of Finland on the complaint were forwarded to the complainants by letter of 31 May 2012. The observations of the complainants were provided on 27 July 2012. Finland provided additional information on 28 September 2012.
(4) By letter dated 31 October 2012, the Commission forwarded to Finland the observations of the complainants received on 27 July 2012 and requested additional information. Finland provided the information requested on 3 January 2013 and 7 and 12 February 2013. Moreover, Finland provided additional information by email of 16 May 2013.
(5) A meeting with the Finnish authorities took place on 17 May 2013, after which the Commission requested additional information by email of 24 May 2013. Finland provided the information requested on 31 May 2013 and 3, 7 and 10 June 2013.
(6) The Commission requested additional information by email of 24 October 2013 and by letter dated 6 November 2013, to which Finland replied on 8 November 2013 and on 31 January 2014, respectively.
(7) The Commission requested additional information by e-mails of 27 February 2014 and 3 April 2014, to which Finland replied by e-mails of 5 March 2014 and 11 April 2014, respectively.
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