L 185/24 Official Journal of the European Union 17.7.2009 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 24 March 2009 on the measure C 52/07 (ex NN 64/07) implemented by Spain for the Plan to support the textile and clothing industry (notified under document number C(2009) 2017) (Only the Spanish text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2009/553/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: 1. PROCEDURE On 5 July 2006, the Commission received a complaint concerning a programme that Spain had put in place to assist its textile industry (Plan de apoyo al sector textil y de la confeccién’, hereinafter ‘the Textile Plan’). By letter dated 1 August 2006, the Commission requested the Spanish authorities to provide all necessary information concerning this Textile Plan, to which they replied by letter dated 29 September 2006, registered as received on 2 October 2006. On 13 November 2007, the Commission initiated the formal investigation procedure. After its publication, the Commission received comments from two interested parties, who wished to remain anonymous, on 22 February 2008 and on 9 April 2008 respectively. The Commission requested clarifications by letter dated 18 April 2008, to which the Spanish authorities replied by letter dated 30 May 2008. The Commission forwarded the interested parties comments to the () O] C 239, 11.10.2007, p. 12. Spanish authorities on 6 May 2008, to which they responded by letter dated 12 June 2008. On 11 September 2008, a meeting was held between the different Spanish Ministries and the Commission. The Spanish authorities provided further information by letter dated 17 September 2008. On 3 October 2008 and 19 February 2009, the Commission requested further information by e-mail, to which the Spanish authorities replied on 21 October 2008 and 20 February 2009. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RECIPIENT AND THE AID MEASURES 2.1. Objectives of the Spanish Textile Plan The aim of the Textile Plan is to assist textile companies to adjust to the full liberalisation of trade in textiles and foster their competitiveness, whilst maintaining the highest possible number of companies and jobs within the sector. The plan was also designed to offset the adverse effects of the liberalisation of trade in textile and clothing products on workers and entire areas of activity. It included direct measures to help companies (technical research, innovative projects, and export promotion). Other measures were targeted more specifically at training and recruitment issues but were also of indirect benefit to companies and helped to promote the industrial redevelopment of regions affected by the relocation of companies in the sector.