Description of the measure. The current case concerns a payment to the Hurtigruten companies contained in Position 70, Chapter 1330 (Særskilte transporttiltak) of the Norwegian 2004 State budget, whereby the Hurtigruten companies would be granted up to NOK 8,5 million (approximately EUR 1,1 million) as compensation due to the changes in the differentiated social security system (3). The compensation payment granted to the Hurtigruten companies was paid out to fully compensate the increased social security costs without making a distinction between the part of the social security costs pertaining to the commercial activities of the companies and those activities which might be considered public service within the meaning of Article 59 (2) of the EEA Agreement. In addition to the compensation granted to the Hurtigruten companies, the companies also received aid as a consequence of the Authority's decision of 12 November 2003. However, the present case only concerns the aid granted as compensation for higher social security contributions. In this respect, an amount of NOK 7,352 million (approximately EUR 900 000) was paid out to the companies.
Description of the measure. Background and objectives of the notified project
Description of the measure. 2.1. The beneficiary: Landsvirkjun