L 32/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 5.2.1999 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 3 June 1998 concerning Sicilian Regional Law No 25/93 on measures to promote employ- ment (Articles 51, 114, 117 and 119) (notified under document number C(1998) 1713) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/99/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Atrticle 93(2) thereof, After giving notice to the parties concerned, in accord- ance with the aforementioned Article, to submit their comments, Whereas: By letter No 3416 of 2 May 1997 ('), the Commis- sion informed the Italian Government of its decision to initiate proceedings pursuant to Article 93(2) of the Treaty in respect of aid referred to in Articles 51, 114, 117 and 119 of Sicilian Regional Law No 25/93. In the same letter it asked the Italian Government to submit its comments within 30 days of being notified of the letter and asked interested parties to submit their comments within 30 days of the date of publication of the letter. () OJ C 204, 4. 7. 1997, p. 10. IT The Italian Government submitted its comments by letters from the Permanent Representative’s Office No 4319 of 30 June 1997, No 6799 of 10 October 1997, No 7072 of 22 October 1997 and of 6 May 1998. No other Member State or interested party submitted comments to the Commission. III The aid referred to in the letter of 2 May 1997 is set out below. Article 51 of Sicilian Regional Law No 25/93 provides for the refinancing of an aid scheme for cooperatives introduced by Regional Law No 36/91 up to an amount of ITL 24 billion (ECU 12,7 million). After refinancing, the following forms of aid will be available: (a) under Article 8(1), grants to cooperatives of up to 50 % of eligible expenditure, subject to a ceiling of ITL 150 million (some ECU 78 000); (b) under Article 8(2), loans at an interest rate of 4 % to cooperatives to finance that part of the investment not covered by grants under Article 8(1);