15.4.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L9773 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 21 December 2000 on the State aid implemented by Germany for Forderanlagen- und Kranbau Kéthen GmbH and Kranbau Kéthen GmbH (notified under document number C(2000) 4403) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2003/264[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, 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 9 December 1997, Germany informed the Commission of aid from the Bundesanstalt fur verei- nigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben (BvS) and the Land of Saxony-Anhalt for Forderanlagen- und Kranbau Kothen GmbH and Kranbau Kéthen GmbH. The aid was regis- tered under No NN 191/97. By letter dated 16 March 1998, the Commission informed Germany that it had decided to initiate the formal investigation procedure in respect of the aid and () OJ C 338, 6.11.1998, p. 4. (6) enjoined Germany to submit information by means of an information injunction. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Commu- nities (). In response to the initiation proceedings, the Commission received comments from interested parties which were forwarded to Germany. By letters dated 26 and 28 August 1998, Germany informed the Commission of further aid to Kranbau Kothen GmbH. As the decision initiating the formal investigation procedure contained an extension clause, this new aid was also included in the same procedure. The case was discussed with representatives of the German authorities in Berlin on 13 November 1998. Further information was submitted by letter dated 3 March 1999. The case was discussed again with the German authorities during a meeting in Berlin on 29 March 1999, at which the German authorities requested that examination of the case be delayed until further information was submitted to the Commission. This information was received by letter dated 21 May 1999 and by letter dated 26 May 1999. The Commission received further information from Germany on 1 July 1999 and by letters dated 12 July, 10 September, 29 September and 6 October 1999. The case was discussed again with the German authorities in Brussels on 21 October 1999, and the Commission sent Germany a letter outlining the main problems with the case on 26 October 1999. Final information was submitted by Germany on 24 November 1999, 21 March, 27 April, 18 May, 30 June, 26 July and 27 September 2000. () O] C 338, 6.11.1998, p. 4.