10. 4. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 95/19 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 2 October 1996 concerning aid granted by the French State to the audiovisual production company Société francaise de Production (Only the French text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (97/238/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 the parties concerned notice to submit their comments, in accordance with the abovementioned articles ('), Whereas: THE AID CONCERNED This Decision relates to aid of FF 1110 million granted to Société francaise de Production (SFP) in the period from 1993 to 1996. FF 860 million of this was paid in 1993 and 1994 and FF 250 million was added in February 1996. (') OJ No C 80, 1. 4. 1995, p. 7 and OJ No C 171, 15. 6. 1996, p. 3. DESCRIPTION 11 Competitors claimed to suffer from low prices charged by SFP as a result of the aid and lodged a complaint with the Commission on 7 April 1994. The Commission wrote to the French authorities on 22 June 1994 requesting in- formation. After a meeting with Commission represent- atives on 12 September 1994, the French authorities replied by letter dated 21 October 1994 to the Commis- sion’s questions regarding the compatibility of the aid with the common market. The Commission’s doubts nevertheless persisted, espe- cially since no ground could be seen for exempting the aid under Article 92 (3) (c¢) and (d), and, in addition, because an adequate restructuring plan for the company had not been submitted to the Commission. These doubts led the Commission to initiate proceedings under Article 93 (2) of the EC Treaty by decision of 16 November 1994. This decision was communicated to the French Government by letter of 1 December 1994. The letter invited the French Government to submit its comments on the Commission’s doubts regarding the compatibility of the aid, to present a complete and realistic restructuring plan, and to undertake that no further public financing would be supplied to SFP without the Commission’s prior permission (letter published in the 1995 Official Journal referred to in foot- note (1)). The letter in which the French Government undertook not to grant any further aid without the Commission’s approval was sent on 16 December 1994. The French authorities submitted their comments by letter dated 16 January 1995.