28.10.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 284[1 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 11 March 2008 on a State aid scheme implemented by Italy for the aeronautical industry (C 61/03 (ex NN 42/01)) (notified under document number C(2008) 845) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2008/806/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, 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 those provisions (%), Whereas: 1 G) The measure under assessment concerns individual aid for research and development projects in the aeronautical industry. The aid was granted by Italy on the basis of the Law of 24 December 1985, No 808, laying down measures to develop and enhance the competitiveness of manufac- turers in the acronautical industry (Law No 808/1985). The Commission approved the scheme in 1986 (2). 1. PROCEDURE On 7 October 1999, and again on 12 January 2001, the Commission received a complaint alleging that Italy had unlawfully granted aid to individual research and develop- ment (R & D) projects carried out by the Italian aeronautical industry. The Commission sent a request for information on 8 May 2000, to which the Italian authorities replied on 1 August. (" O] C 16, 22.1.2004, p. 2, and OJ C 252, 12.10.2005, p. 10. (%) Case N 281/84, letter SG(86) 5685 dated 14.5.1986. [ ~ The complainant provided additional information by letters of 27 April 2001 and 30 May 2002. On 1 February 2001 the Italian authorities provided the Commission with information concerning non-notified aid granted by Italy to 13 individual R & D projects. By letters of 14 August and 24 August 2001 the Commission wrote to the Italian authorities asking for further information on the projects. Italy replied on 31 October, supplying additional information regarding Six cases. In 2002 the Commission asked independent experts to evaluate the six projects. The reports were delivered to the Commission on 7 April and 23 April 2003. Two meetings were held, at the request of the Italian authorities, on 27 May and on 30 June 2003. On 1 October 2003, the Commission initiated the formal investigation procedure (the first initiating decision) with regard to six cases of substantial aid to R & D projects that had not been individually notified by Italy, contrary to the rules governing aid to R & D, that is to say to the 1996 Community framework for State aid for research and development (the 1996 Framework) (°) and the 1986 Community framework for State aids for research and O] C 45, 17.2.1996, p. 5.