No L 244/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 9. 96 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 13 March 1996 on aid granted by the region of Liguria (Italy) for agricultural cooperatives (Only the Italian text is authentic) (96/559/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 Council Regulation (EEC) No 234/68 of 27 February 1968 on the establishment of a common organization of the market in live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage (), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3290/94 (3 and in particular Article 11 thereof, as well as the corresponding provisions of the other regulations governing the common organization of the markets in agricultural products, Having given notice to the parties concerned to submit their comments in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2), Whereas: 1. By letter dated 19 August 1993, recorded as received on 30 August 1993, the Italian Permanent Representa- tive to the European Communities notified to the Commission in accordance with Article 93 (3) of the EC Treaty draft Law No 292/93 of Liguria (hereinafter referred to as ‘draft Law No 292/93’), on aid for agri- o L 55, 2. 3. 1968, p. 1. o L 349, 31. 12. 1994, p. 105. o0 S Z2z cultural cooperatives. In reply to the Commission’s requests for further details of 16 September 1993 and 29 November 1993, the Italian authorities sent addi- tional information to the Commission by letters dated 22 October 1993 and 13 January 1994. By letter of 22 March 1994, the Commission informed the Italian Government of its decision to initiate the procedure under Article 93 (2) of the Treaty with regard to the special subsidies provided for in Article 1 of draft Law No 292/93, which it considered to consti- tute operating aid which could not qualify for the derogations in Article 92 of the Treaty and which had, therefore, to be deemed incompatible with the common market. In accordance with the procedure, the Commission gave notice to the Italian Government to submit its comments. Through a publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities(®), the Commission also gave notice to the other Member States and interested parties to submit their comments. The Italian Government submitted its comments by telex on 6 May 1994, recorded as received on 10 May 1994, and on 12 December 1994, recorded as received on 13 December 1954. 2. Article 1 of draft Law No 292/93 provides for the award of aid to cooperatives to meet their debts. () OJ No C 159, 10. 6. 1994, p. 3.