L 43/88 Official Journal of the European Union 13.2.2004 COMMISSION DECISION of 24 June 2003 On an aid scheme ‘Common guidelines for the use of economic development funds by the Land of Berlin’, which Germany wishes to implement (notified under document number C(2003) 1867) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/125/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, 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 (1), Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE By letter dated 14 December 1998, Germany notified the Commission under Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty of a proposed State aid scheme ‘Common guidelines for the use of economic development funds by the Land of Berlin’. It submitted further information by letter dated 9 March 1999. By letter dated 18 May 1999, the Commission informed Germany of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of that aid scheme. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (2). The Commission invited interested par- ties to submit their comments on the aid scheme within one month following publication of the decision. (1) OJ C 340, 27.11.1999, p. 64. () See footnote 1. ) Germany submitted its comments by letter dated 17 June 1999. The Commission has received no comments from interested parties. As part of its examination of the 28th outline plan for the joint Federal/Linder scheme for improving regional economic structures, the Commission took up the question of the eligibility of business relocations in connection with regional aid in a letter dated 26 July 1999, referring to the proceedings which are the subject of this decision. Germany explained its position on business relocations in the context of the present proceedings by letter dated 28 October 1999. On 27 March 2000, 2 May 2001 and 5 October 2001 representatives of Germany and the Commission held talks at working level and at political level. On the basis of the talks held on 2 May 2001, the Commission asked for further information by letter dated 10 May 2001. Germany replied by letters dated 27 June and 6 July 2001. By letter dated 9 August 2002, Germany asked for a final decision to be adopted, citing the time limit laid down in Article 7(6) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/ 1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (hereinafter the Procedural Regulation) (%), whereby a final decision must be taken within 18 months of the opening of the procedure. () OJL83,27.3.1999,p. 1.