L 95/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 5.4.2001 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 11 April 2000 on the measure implemented by EDF for certain firms in the paper industry (notified under document number C(2000) 1061) (Only the French text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2001/274[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 those provisions ('), Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE By letter of 13 June 1996, registered on 14 June 1996, the Commission received a complaint concerning the preferential terms on which Electricité de France (herein- after ‘EDF)) apparently supplied electricity to paper mills which agreed to purchase electrical infrared drying equipment. According to the complainant, EDF took advantage of its absolute control of the French electricity market by endeavouring to influence paper mills' choice of infrared technology by offering preferential rates for electricity, to the detriment of systems operating with other energy sources, in particular natural gas. By letters dated 10 July 1996, 24 July 1996, 4 November 1997, 4 December 1997 and 12 January 1998, the Commission asked the French authorities for more detailed information. This reached the Commis- sion on 18 July 1996, 28 August 1996, 25 November 1997 and 22 January 1998. The Commission sent the () O] C 70, 13.3.1999, p. 10. complainant a summary of the information by letters dated 10 July 1996, 29 October 1996, 14 November 1996 and 13 November 1997. The complainant's replies reached the Commission on 31 October 1996, 21 November 1996, 10 December 1996, 25 February 1997, 22 May 1997 and 12 September 1997. On 20 May 1998 the Commission decided to initiate the procedure under Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the measure. This decision was notified to the French Government by letter No SG(98) D/5741 of 14 July 1998 requesting the French authorities to submit their comments within one month, ie. by 14 August 1998. By letters dated 28 July 1998, 11 September 1998, 7 October 1998, 24 December 1998 and 19 January 1999, the French authorities asked the Commission not to publish certain information contained in the decision to initiate the procedure under Article 88(2). The Commission replied by letters dated 10 August 1998, 6 October 1998, 22 October 1998, 14 December 1998, 12 January 1999 and 19 February 1999. At meetings held on 21 September and 1 December 1998 the French authorities withdrew their request not to publish infor- mation, which in any case had been partly rejected because of the public nature of the matter at issue. By letter of 2 September 1998, registered on 7 September 1998, EDF asked for access to the file. The request was rejected by letter of 17 September as all the documents requested fell within the list of exceptions under the policy on access to documents.