74It should be observed, inter alia, in that regard that, given that the 1997 decision, in authorising that scheme, was derogating from the general principle, set out in Article 87(1) EC, that State aid is incompatible with the common market, such an operator could not reasonably expect that that decision would authorise the grant of aid even after the date indicated therein, contrary to the principle that such exceptions are to be strictly interpreted (see Case C-277/00 Germany v Commission [2004] ECR I-3925, paragraph 20, and Joined Cases C-346/03 and C-529/03 Atzeni and Others [2006] ECR I-1875, paragraph 79).
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