2.3.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L 56/15 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 16 June 2004 concerning aid for the construction of a propylene pipeline between Rotterdam, Antwerp and the Ruhr area notified by Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium C 67/03 (ex N 355/03) — C 68/03 (ex N 400/03) — C 69/03 (ex N 473/03) (notified under document number C(2004) 2031) (Only the Dutch, French and German texts are authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2005/170/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, on State aid in favour of the German and Dutch sections of a propylene pipeline project. It sent a letter to Germany on 13 February 2002 and received a reply on 27 March 2003. It subsequently had informal contacts with the Belgian authorities. The Association of Petrochemical Producers in Europe (APPE) sent a position paper in support of the project by letter of 15 May 2003. By letters of 24 July, 4 September and 16 October 2003, the German, Dutch and Belgian autho- rities notified aid for their own sections of the project. The cases were registered under Nos N 355/03, N 400/03 and N 473/03 respectively. 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, () The Commission asked Germany for further information by letter of 27 August 2003. Germany obliged by letters Having called on interested parties to submit their comments of 6, 15 and 28 October 2003. pursuant to the provisions cited above (') and having regard to their comments, Whereas: (3) By decision C(2003) 4080 of 11 November 2003, the Commission initiated the procedure under Article 88(2) of the Treaty in respect of the notified measures. The decision was sent to Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium the same day; the procedures were registered under Nos C 67/03, C 68/03 and C 69/03 respectively. 1. PROCEDURE Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium commented on the decision by letters of 12, 18 and 22 December 2003. (1) Starting in the autumn of 2002, the Commission had The Commission asked for further information by letters informal contacts with the German and Dutch authorities of 23 January 2004, to which the Member States concerned replied by letters of 20 February, 27 (') OJ C 315, 24.12.2003, p. 7. February and 2 March 2004.