9.8.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 202/15 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 5 March 2003 on the aid scheme implemented by the Federal Republic of Germany in connection with the sale and export of products from the Land of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (notified under document number C(2003) 519) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2003/595/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, Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE In June 2001 the Commission became aware of the guidelines of the Land of Mecklenburg-Western Pomer- ania for the granting of aid in respect of the sale and export of products from Mecklenburg-Western Pomer- ania (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Land guidelines). It appeared that certain provisions of the Land guidelines were incompatible with Article 87 of the EC Treaty. Since the Land guidelines are dated 25 May 1998, the aid was classified as non-notified aid and registered under No NN 55/2001. By letter dated 2 July 2001 (D/52684), the Commission asked Germany for its comments on the Land guidelines in the light of the law applicable to State aid. Germany provided its comments by letter dated 30 August 2001 (A36853). 3) The Commission informed Germany by letter dated 28 December 2001 (SG(2001) D/293172) that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the scheme. Germany submitted its comments by letter dated 4 February 2002 (A/30809). A meeting between the German authorities and the Commission was held on 7 June 2002 in Berlin. The Commission Decision to initiate proceedings was published in the Official Journal of the European Commu- nities (). The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the measure but none were received. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE 2.1. Objective The specific objective of the Land guidelines is to develop or recover transregional and export markets. These include markets outside Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, i.e. markets in Germany and other Member States and in third countries. () 0] C 170, 16.7.2002, p. 2.