5.7.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 176/37 DECISIONS COMMISSION DECISION of 8 March 2011 on measure C 18/10 (ex NN 20/10) implemented by the French Republic for aeronautic suppliers (‘the Aero 2008 guarantee’) (notified under document C(2011) 1378) (Only the French text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2011/393/EV) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 108(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: I. PROCEDURE (1)~ On 17 October 2008, the Commission of its own motion initiated the procedure in respect of the exchange rate guarantee granted by Coface to aeronautic suppliers (the measure’ or ‘the Aero 2008 guarantee) (CP 294/08). (2)  Requests for information were sent to the French Republic on 4 November 2008, 15 May 2009 and 30 September 2009. The French Republic replied on 8 December 2008, 18 June 2009 and 30 October 2009 respectively. The replies were registered on those same days. (3) A meeting between the Commission’s services and the authorities of the French Republic took place on 17 December 2009. Following that meeting, the French Republic notified additional information on 22 February 2010. (4) By letter of 20 July 2010, the Commission informed the French Republic that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 108(2) TFEU in respect of the measure. () O] C 268, 2.10.2010, p. 4. (5)  The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (3). The Commission called on interested parties to submit their comments on the measure in question. (6)  The Commission did not receive any comments from interested parties. 7) On 20 September 2010, the French Republic sent its observations to the Commission. (8) By letter of 15 November 2010, the Commission asked the French Republic for additional information. The French Republic replied by letter of 15 December 2010, registered on the same day by the Commission’s services. (99 The French Republic sent additional information by letter of 31 January 2011, registered on the same day by the Commission’s services. II. DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE I1.1. Legal basis (10)  The authorities of the French Republic submitted that the legal basis of the measure was Articles L 432-1, L 432-2, R 442-1 and R442-8-4 of the Insurance Code. I1.2. Beneficiaries (11)  The potential beneficiaries of the measure are aeronautic suppliers at Tier 2 or below (3). () See footnote 1. (®) This measure does not therefore concern Tier 1 and Super Tier 1, which are partners sharing the risk with aircraft manufacturers.