2005/406/EC: Commission Decision of 15 October 2003 on ad hoc measures implemented by Portugal for RTP (notified under document number C(2003) 3526) (Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof,

Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above⁽¹⁾ and having regard to their comments,

Whereas:

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The state aid of PTE 68 006 million granted by Portugal to RTP in the form of an agreement with the social security scheme in 1993, capital injections in the period 1994 to 1997 and a loan in 1998 is compatible with the common market within the meaning of Article 86(2) of the Treaty since it did not lead to any overcompensation of the net costs of the public service tasks entrusted to RTP.

Article 2

The following measures do not constitute state aid: the exemption from registration charges, the payment for the hiving-off of the television broadcasting network, the facilities granted for payment of the annual fee for use of the television broadcasting network, the protocol on cinema promotion, the bond issue and the restructuring plan for the period 1996 to 2000.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Portuguese Republic.

Done at Brussels, 15 October 2003.

For the Commission

Mario Monti

Member of the Commission