19.10.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 269/29 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 3 March 1999 concerning aid granted by Italy to firms affected by the bankruptcy of Sirap SpA (notified under document number C(1999) 584) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/678/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(2)(a) thereof, Having, in accordance with the abovementioned provisions, given interested parties notice to submit their comments, Whereas: By letter dated 9 March 1995, the Italian authorities, in accord- ance with Article 93(3) of the EC Treaty, notified measures to assist firms affected by the winding-up of Sirap SpA, a publicly- owned company responsible for the economic development of the Region. The notification was incomplete inasmuch as the Italian authorities announced that the list describing the aid measures planned for the firms would be communicated to the Commis- sion as soon as possible. When it acknowledged receipt of the letter, the Commission informed the Italian authorities that the two-month period within which it had to reach a decision on the aid would start to run when the promised information was received. Despite several reminders, the Italian authorities did not supply the information requested. The most recent reminder was sent on 20 November 1995, when the Commission stated that, failing a reply from the Italian authorities within ten working days, the aid would be removed from the register of notified aid and entered in the register of unnotified aid in view of the fact that draft Law No 835 of the Region of Sicily provided for a first aid tranche for 1995. As no reply was received, the aid was entered in the register of unnotified aid under NN 196/95. By letters dated 15 May and 3 June 1996, the Italian authorities indicated that the draft Law had been enacted on 24 March 1996 and provided some of the information requested. By decision of 3 July 1996, the Commission initiated Article 93(2) proceedings in respect of the aid. The Italian authorities were informed of the commencement decision by letter dated 17 July 1996. Following publication of the letter in the Official Journal of the European Communities ('), comments were received from a third party, a lawyer representing one of the share- holders of Sirap SpA. The comments were forwarded to the Italian authorities on 14 March 1997. Despite several re- minders, the Italian authorities gave the Commission their views on the comments only on 5 May and 22 September 1997. Finally, on 8 October 1997, the Italian authorities notified a new aid scheme to the Commission relating to the regeneration and setting-up of craft centres, which were to have been carried out by Sirap SpA. The scheme is being examined separately by the Commission. As the new measure also provides for finan- cial assistance for companies and/or persons having carried out work on behalf of Sirap SpA, the Commission questioned the Italian authorities about the connection between the new measure and the measures concerned by these proceedings. The reply from the Italian authorities was received on 15 January 1998. II The reasons why the Commission initiated the proceedings may be summarised as follows. () O] C 359, 28.11.1996, p. 3.