L 74/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 23.3.2000 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 10 November 1999 on the aid scheme which Italy intends implementing to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in Objective 1 regions (notified under document number C(1999) 3867) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (2000/235/EC) 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 called on interested parties to submit their comments in accordance with the abovementioned provisions () and having regard to those comments, Whereas: I. Procedure By letter of 10 April 1997, the Permanent Representa- tion of Italy notified the Commission, in accordance with Article 88(3) of the Treaty, of a draft amendment to the CIPE (Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning) Decision on the rules for applying the Guar- antee Fund for SMEs in Objective 1 regions provided for in Article 2 of Law 341 of 8 August 1995. Examination of the measures in question was divided up as follows: As regards Aid N 249/A[97, in the light of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty (Commission letter SG(97)D/7216 of 25 August 1997), the Commission examined and authorised the amendments to the measure covered by the CIPE Decision of 10 May 1995 applying to sectors other than agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture. The application in the agricultural, fisheries and aquacul- ture sectors of the measures provided for in Article 2 of Decree-Law 244 of 23 June 1995 laying down the general principles governing the Fund, ratified in Law () O] C 245, 5.8.1998, p. 3. () 341 of 8 August 1995 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Law 341/1995’), and in the CIPE Decision of 10 May 1995 laying down rules for the application of Law 341/95, as amended by the provisions notified by the Italian authorities in their letter of 10 April 1997, was exam- ined by the Commission in connection with Aid N 249/B/97. Additional information was requested by telexes 52140 of 5 May 1997, 31756 of 5 August 1997 and 14/3786 of 19 September 1997. By telex 2326 of 12 January 1998, the Commission called on the Italian authorities to reply to the telex of 19 September 1997. Additional information was forwarded by letter of the Permanent Representation of Italy of 2 June 1997, recorded as received on 5 June 1997, by fax of 21 July 1997, recorded as received on 22 July 1997, by letter of 27 November 1997, recorded as received on 3 December 1997, and by letter of 18 February 1998, recorded as received on 4 March 1998. By letter of 20 May 1998 (SG(98)D/4034), the Commis- sion informed the Italian authorities of its decision to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the application of those measures in the agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communi- ties (}). The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the aid measure. (® See footnote 1.