11. 4. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 96/15 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 5 June 1996 concerning aid that the Republic of Austria intends to grant under the ERP internationalization scheme (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (97/240/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62 (1) (a) thereof, Having given notice to the parties concerned, in ac- cordance with the abovementioned Articles, to submit comments, and having regard to those comments, Whereas: (1) By communication dated 23 March 1995, the Austrian authorities notified the ERP programme for the internationalization of Austrian enterprises (ERP Internationalisierungsprogramm).  Additional  in- formation and further details were provided at a meeting held in Vienna on 28 March 1995 and by letters dated 24 April and 4 May 1995. A number of amendments were made to the original notification at a second meeting held in Eisenstadt and Vienna on 12 and 13 June 1995 and by letters dated 15 and 27 June 1995. In particular, the Austrian authorities agreed: — to withdraw part of the scheme initially designed to promote the setting-up of distribution networks, ~— to link the aid to a productive investment project. The case was discussed again with representatives of the Austrian Government at a further meeting held on 9 October 1995. (2) On 31 October 1995, the Commission decided to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 93 (2) of the EC Treaty with regard to aid for projects to be carried out outside the European Economic Area (EEA). In its decision of 31 October 1995, the Commission authorized the part of the programme concerning aid for SMEs in EEA countries pursuant to Article 92 (3) (c) of the EC Treaty and Article 61 (3) (c) of the EEA Agreement since all the elements of the guidelines on State aid for SMEs had been complied with. (3) By letter dated 20 November 1995, the Commission informed the Austrian Government thereof and requested it to submit its comments within one month. This letter was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities('), as notice to the other Member States and interested parties to submit any comments they might have on the measures in question within one month from the date of that publication. () OJ No C 71, 9. 3. 199, p. 6.