24.3.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 77/41 COMMISSION DECISION of 30 October 2002 on the State aid implemented by Germany for Schmitz-Gotha Fahrzeugwerke GmbH C 31/2001 (ex NN 156/99 and N 288/98) (notified under document number C(2002) 2145) (Only the German version is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2003/194/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: I. PROCEDURE By letter dated 18 May 1998, Germany informed the Commission of aid to Schmitz-Gotha Fahrzeugwerke GmbH (Schmitz-Gotha). The aid case was registered under NN 156/99. By letters dated 12 June 1998, 21 December 1999 and 17 May 2000, the Commission asked Germany for further information. Germany replied by letters dated 15 October 1998, 21 July 1999, 27 April 2000, 1 December 2000 and 8 January 2001. By letter dated 23 May 2001, the Commission informed Germany that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the aid and to register it as C 31/2001. Comments presented by Germany were received on 14 and 22 August 2001. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (3. The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the aid. No comments from interested parties were received. The Commission asked Germany further questions by letter dated 1 October 2001. Germany replied on 14 December 2001. Further information was received on 16 and 28 May and 3 July 2002. II. DESCRIPTION 1. The aid recipient The case concerns financial measures for the restructuring of Schmitz-Gotha, a company situated in Thuringia active in motor vehicle construction and the construction of bodies and trailers in particular. Schmitz-Gotha is the successor to Gothaer Fahrzeugwerke GmbH (Gotha-old), a formerly State-owned company, which after its privatisation in 1994 belonged to the Lintra () O] C 211, 28.7.2001, p. 15. (®) See footnote 1.