6.10.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 259/19 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 3 March 1999 on the aid which Germany has granted by way of development assistance to Indonesia in connection with the construction of two dredgers by Volkswerft Stralsund and the sale of the dredgers to Pengerukan (Rukindo) (notified under document number C(1999) 585) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/657[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Communities, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93(2) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 90/684/EEC of 21 December 1990 on aid to shipbuilding ('), as last extended by Council Regulation (EC) No 2600/97 (), and in particular Article 4(7) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to Article 93 of the EC Treaty cited above (*) and having regard to the comments received, Whereas: I. Procedure The European Dredging Association informed the Commission that Germany had granted aid for the sale of three dredgers which were built in Germany, and that the aid appeared to be in breach of Directive 90/684/EEC (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Shipbuilding Directive’). By letter dated 6 November 1996, Germany provided the Commission with further information. 0J L 380, 31.12.1990, p. 27. () O] L 351, 23.12.1997, p. 18. 0] C 192, 24.6.1997, p. 9. By letter dated 15 April 1997, the Commission informed Germany that it had decided to initiate Article 93(2) proceed- ings in respect of the aid. The Commission decision to initiate proceedings was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (*). The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the measures. The Commission received comments from interested parties. They were forwarded to Germany, which was given the oppor- tunity to react; its comments were received by letters dated 18 June and 9 October 1997. By letter dated 24 March 1998, the Commission informed Germany that it had decided to close part of the proceedings, namely the proceedings regarding the vessel KK Aru II. By letter dated 24 June 1998, Germany provided the Commission with additional information regarding the other two dredger vessels, CD Batang Anai and FF Bali II. II. Detailed description of the aid In 1994 the Commission approved development aid to be granted in connection with the sale of three dredgers by Volks- werft Stralsund to the Indonesian public corporation Pengerukan (Rukindo), hereinafter referred to as ‘Rukindo’. By letter SG(94) D/6533 of 17 May 1994, the Commission informed Germany of its approval. The development aid was (*) See footnote 3.