L 206/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 15.8.2000 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 8 September 1999 on aid granted by France to Stardust Marine (notified under document number C(1999) 3148) (Only the French text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2000/513EC) 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 given interested parties notice to submit their comments in accordance with the abovementioned Articles, Whereas: I PROCEDURE PROVIDED FOR IN ARTICLE 88(2) OF THE TREATY. The pleasureboat chartering firm Stardust Marine (hereinafter Stardust) is a former subsidiary of Crédit Lyonnais which was transferred in 1995 to Consortium de Realisations (CDR), a hive-off vehicle for the non-performing assets of Crédit Lyonnais. In June 1997, the Commission learnt, through a complaint from a competitor, that Stardust had been recapitalised by CDR then sold to FG Marine in circumstances challenged by the complainant, who had submitted a higher bid. Following an exchange of correspondence with the authorities and a meeting between the Commission and the Treasury on 10 October 1997, the Commission informed the authorities by letter of 8 December 1997 that it had initiated the procedure under Article 88(2) of the Treaty. The authorities replied by letter of 9 February 1998, attaching a file comprising the information requested by the Commission in its letter initiating the procedure. Following publication of the Commission notice in the Official Journal of the European Communities ('), the Commission received a letter dated 7 May 1998 from JMT et Associés, a company owned by the former head of Stardust. The complainant also submitted a further file to the Commission on 8 December 1998. The Commission forwarded the information to the French authorities who replied by letters of 14 October 1998 and 17 February 1999. Following two meetings between the Commission, the Treasury and CDR on 5 May and 28 May 1999, the French authorities sent two further letters to the Commission dated 1 and 8 June 1999. () O] C 111, 9.4.1998, p. 9.