50Concerning the default interest, it must be observed that, in the absence of harmonisation of European Union legislation in the field of the penalties applicable in cases where conditions laid down by arrangements under such legislation are not complied with, Member States retain the power to choose the penalties which seem to them to be appropriate. They must, however, exercise that power in accordance with European Union law and its general principles, and, consequently, in accordance with the principle of proportionality (see, to that effect, inter alia, Case C-210/91 Commission v Greece [1992] ECR I-6735, paragraph 19 and the case-law cited; Case C-213/99 de Andrade [2000] ECR I-11083, paragraph 20; and Rodopi-M 91, paragraph 31).
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