Competition: specific sectors, aids granted by states, art. 93 EC Treaty

PURPOSE: to increase transparency and legal safety by codifying and clarifying the rules of procedure in the field of State aids. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council regulation 659/1999/EC laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty. CONTENT: the Commission, in accordance with the case-law of the Court of Justice, has developed and established a consistent practice for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty and has laid down certain procedural rules and principles in a number of communications. This regulation codifies and reinforces this practice with a view to ensuring increased transparency and legal certainty. The regulation confirms that the notification obligation and the standstill clause established by Article 93, paragraph 3 of the EC Treaty represent the keystone of the system of State aid control. In accordance with existing case-law, it attributes the obligations resulting from Article 93 paragraph 3 to the Member State concerned which is always the subject of the decision adopted by the Commission. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 16.04.1999.�