29.1.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 25/41 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 25 July 2001 on alleged State aid for the American group Reebok in connection with its establishment in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (notified under document number C(2001) 2383) (Only the Dutch text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2002/64[EC) 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 (!), and having regard to their comments, Whereas: I. PROCEDURE By letter dated 31 July 1998, the Commission received a complaint according to which the American group Reebok had been induced to establish its new plant in the port of Rotterdam through illegal State aid. Pursuant to this complaint, the Commission requested informa- tion from the Dutch authorities on 23 September 1998. By letters dated 2 October 1998 and 7 January 1999, the Dutch authorities requested more time for their reply and finally provided the requested information by letter dated 2 February 1999. By letter dated 9 June 1999, the Commission informed the Netherlands of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the aid. By letter dated 8 September 1999, the Dutch () O] C 233, 14.8.1999, p. 39. authorities submitted their comments and further infor- mation. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communi- ties on 14 August 1999 (3. The Commission called on interested parties to submit their comments. It received comments from an interested party on 14 September 1999 and, in order to give the Dutch authorities the opportunity to react, forwarded them to the Nether- lands, which replied within one month. Upon request the Dutch authorities submitted further information on the alleged aid by letters dated 7 July 2000, 17 July 2000, 6 December 2000, 15 December 2000, 8 February 2001, 9 April 2001, 22 May 2001, 27 June 2001 and 6 July 2001. Meetings with the Dutch authorities took place on 4 July 2000 and 25 October 2000. II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ALLEGED AID MEASURES The American group Reebok (Reebok) is a leading worldwide producer of sports footwear in particular and operates in approximately 170 countries with net sales of approximately USD 2,9 billion (EUR 2,72 billion) in 1999. Reebok's products are manufactured in Asia and have to be shipped to Europe. () O] C 233, 14.8.1999, p.39.