L 220/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 20. 8.1999 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 11 November 1998 concerning aid granted by Germany to ESF Elbestahlwerk Feralpi GmbH, Riesa, Saxony (notified under document number C(1998) 3556) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/580/ECSC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, Having regard to Commission Decision No 2496/96/ECSC of 18 December 1996 establishing Community rules for State aid to the steel industry ('), and in particular Article 6(5) thereof, Having given notice in accordance with that Article to inter- ested parties to submit their comments, and having regard to those comments, Whereas: The Commission decided on 18 November 1997 to initiate proceedings pursuant to Article 6(4) of Decision No 2496/96/ ECSC (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Steel Aid Code’) in respect of certain payments made by Germany to the ECSC steel undertaking ESF Elbestahlwerk Feralpi GmbH, Riesa/Saxony (hereinafter referred to as ‘ESF). Germany was informed of the Decision by letter dated 2 December 1997 and was requested to submit its comments within one month. The Decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (?) and interested parties were invited to submit their comments. () O] L 338, 18.12.1996, p. 42. () O] C 51, 18.2.1998, p. 3. By letter dated 6 January 1998, Germany requested an exten- sion of the deadline for its reply until 5 February. By letter dated 9 February 1998, it requested a further extension until 27 February. By letter dated 23 February 1998, the Commis- sion accepted this request but stressed that a further extension could not be considered. By letter of 3 March 1998, received on 5 March, Germany submitted its comments concerning the main aspects of the initiation of the proceedings. It submitted additional comments by letter dated 19 March 1998. On 17 March 1998 the Commission received comments from a national steel producers association. It forwarded them to Germany on 1 April 1998 with the request that the latter submit its comments by 17 April. Germany submitted addi- tional comments with regard to the initiation of proceedings by letter dated 25 March 1998 and comments regarding the position of the national steel producers association by letter dated 22 April 1998. By letter dated 24 April 1998, the Commission informed Germany of its preliminary view regarding the scope of application of the ECSC Treaty. Germany replied by letter of 6 May 1998, received on 8 May. II In March 1993 the Commission, acting in accordance with Article 5(iii) of Decision No 3855/91/ECSC (%) (Fifth Steel Aid Code), authorised regional investment aid for ESF covering () O] L 362, 31.12.1991, p. 57.