This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Document C:2018:421:FULL
Official Journal of the European Union, C 421, 21 November 2018
Official Journal of the European Union, C 421, 21 November 2018
Official Journal of the European Union, C 421, 21 November 2018
ISSN 1977-091X |
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Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421 |
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English edition |
Information and Notices |
Volume 61 |
Contents |
page |
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II Information |
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INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2018/C 421/01 |
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IV Notices |
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NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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Council |
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2018/C 421/02 |
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European Commission |
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2018/C 421/03 |
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2018/C 421/04 |
Information from the Commission pursuant to Council Decision (EU) 2018/1485 |
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V Announcements |
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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
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European Commission |
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2018/C 421/05 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9184 — Engie/Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole/Omnes Capital/4 Windfarms) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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2018/C 421/06 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9181 — Engie/Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole/Omnes Capital/Equinox VIIIA) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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2018/C 421/07 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8881 — Bergé/GEFCO/JV) ( 1 ) |
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2018/C 421/08 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9193 — Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited/Eurolife Erb Insurance Group Holdings S.A.) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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(1) Text with EEA relevance. |
EN |
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II Information
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/1 |
Communication from the Commission — Approval of the content of a draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
(2018/C 421/01)
On 20 November 2018, the Commission approved the content of a draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The draft Commission Regulation is attached as an Annex to this Communication.
Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 is adapted so as to reflect the amendments made to the rules on rural development support through Regulation (EU) 2017/2393 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1). The adaptations are purely technical and limited to what is necessary to continue exempting certain types of rural development support for the forestry sector and for non-agricultural activities from the State aid notification procedure. The conditions applicable to State aid for the agricultural sector are left unchanged because rural development support in that area is exempted from the application of State aid rules in accordance with Article 42 TFEU.
ANNEX
DRAFT COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) …/…
of …
amending Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 108(4) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1588 of 13 July 2015 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to certain categories of horizontal State aid (1), and in particular Article 1(1)(a) and (b) thereof,
Having published a draft of this Regulation in accordance with Article 6 and Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2015/1588 (2),
After consulting the Advisory Committee on State aid,
Whereas:
(1) |
Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 (3) declares that certain categories of aid are compatible with the internal market and exempted from the requirement that they must be notified to the Commission before they are granted. |
(2) |
The State aid rules laid down in Articles 107, 108 and 109 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘the Treaty’) apply to support provided for under Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), with the exception of payments and additional national financing falling within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty. |
(3) |
By virtue of Article 42 of the Treaty, State aid rules thus do not apply to rural development support related to the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products. |
(4) |
However, State aid rules apply to rural development support for activities which do not fall within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, as regards both the part co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the additional national financing. |
(5) |
The provisions of Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 were therefore aligned with those of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 in the context of the latest Union State aid review in 2014, so as to facilitate the State aid procedures applicable to rural development support for the forestry sector and for non-agricultural activities in rural areas. |
(6) |
The alignment of rules between Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is affected by the entry into force on 1 January 2018 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2393 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), which amended some of the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 that are reflected in Regulation (EU) No 702/2014. |
(7) |
As a result, the conditions for exempting State aid under Articles 32, 33, 35, 38 to 41 and 44 to 48 of Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 no longer fully correspond to the provisions laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. It is therefore appropriate to adapt those rules in as far as this is necessary to maintain the possibility to exempt rural development support from notification in the same way as heretofore. |
(8) |
Article 1(5)(a) should be aligned with Article 1(4)(a) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 (6), as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1084 (7). |
(9) |
Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 is amended as follows:
(1) |
in Article 1(5), point (a) is replaced by the following:
|
(2) |
in Article 6(5), the following point (j) is added:
|
(3) |
Article 32 is amended as follows:
|
(4) |
Article 33 is amended as follows:
|
(5) |
Article 35 is amended as follows:
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(6) |
Article 38(2) is amended as follows:
|
(7) |
in Article 39(4), the following third subparagraph is added: ‘Aid which is co-financed under the EAFRD, or granted as additional national financing to such co-financed aid, may be paid to the Managing Authority referred to in point (a) of Article 65(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.’; |
(8) |
Article 40 is amended as follows:
|
(9) |
Article 41 is amended as follows:
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(10) |
Article 44 is amended as follows:
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(11) |
Article 45 is amended as follows:
|
(12) |
in Article 46(5), the second sentence is replaced by the following: ‘The aid shall be paid to the provider of the advisory services or to the Managing Authority referred to in point (a) of Article 65(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.’; |
(13) |
Article 47(3) is amended as follows:
|
(14) |
Article 48 is amended as follows:
|
Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels,
For the Commission
The President
Jean-Claude JUNCKER
(1) OJ L 248, 24.9.2015, p. 1.
(2) OJ […], […], p. […].
(3) Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 of 25 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (OJ L 193, 1.7.2014, p. 1).
(4) Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 487).
(5) Regulation (EU) 2017/2393 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2017 amending Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), (EU) No 1306/2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy, (EU) No 1307/2013 establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy, (EU) No 1308/2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and (EU) No 652/2014 laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive material (OJ L 350, 29.12.2017, p. 15).
(6) Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty (OJ L 187, 26.6.2014, p. 1).
(7) Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1084 of 14 June 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 as regards aid for port and airport infrastructure, notification thresholds for aid for culture and heritage conservation and for aid for sport and multifunctional recreational infrastructures, and regional operating aid schemes for outermost regions and amending Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 as regards the calculation of eligible costs (OJ L 156, 20.6.2017, p. 1).
IV Notices
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
Council
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/7 |
COUNCIL DECISION
of 19 November 2018
appointing members and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement for Workers for Italy
(2018/C 421/02)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on freedom of movement for workers within the Union (1), and in particular Articles 23 and 24 thereof,
Having regard to the lists of candidates submitted to the Council by the Governments of the Member States,
Whereas:
(1) |
By its Decision of 28 September 2018 (2), the Council appointed the members and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement for Workers for the period from 25 September 2018 to 24 September 2020. |
(2) |
The government of Italy has submitted nominations for several posts to be filled, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The following are hereby appointed members and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement for Workers for the period ending on 24 September 2020:
I. TRADE UNION REPRESENTATIVES
Country |
Members |
Alternates |
Italy |
Ms Ilaria Arianna FONTANIN Mr Giuseppe CASUCCI |
Mr Emanuele GALOSSI |
II. EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTATIVES
Country |
Members |
Alternates |
Italy |
Ms Paola ASTORRI Ms Serena FACELLO |
Mr Fabio ANTONILLI |
Article 2
The members and alternate members not yet nominated will be appointed by the Council at a later date.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 19 November 2018.
For the Council
The President
E. KÖSTINGER
(1) OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 1.
(2) Council Decision of 28 September 2018 appointing the members and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement for Workers (OJ C 366, 10.10.2018, p. 3).
European Commission
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/9 |
Euro exchange rates (1)
20 November 2018
(2018/C 421/03)
1 euro =
|
Currency |
Exchange rate |
USD |
US dollar |
1,1421 |
JPY |
Japanese yen |
128,34 |
DKK |
Danish krone |
7,4627 |
GBP |
Pound sterling |
0,88908 |
SEK |
Swedish krona |
10,3133 |
CHF |
Swiss franc |
1,1328 |
ISK |
Iceland króna |
140,80 |
NOK |
Norwegian krone |
9,7135 |
BGN |
Bulgarian lev |
1,9558 |
CZK |
Czech koruna |
26,032 |
HUF |
Hungarian forint |
321,25 |
PLN |
Polish zloty |
4,3177 |
RON |
Romanian leu |
4,6673 |
TRY |
Turkish lira |
6,1203 |
AUD |
Australian dollar |
1,5712 |
CAD |
Canadian dollar |
1,5071 |
HKD |
Hong Kong dollar |
8,9445 |
NZD |
New Zealand dollar |
1,6683 |
SGD |
Singapore dollar |
1,5675 |
KRW |
South Korean won |
1 287,96 |
ZAR |
South African rand |
16,0629 |
CNY |
Chinese yuan renminbi |
7,9299 |
HRK |
Croatian kuna |
7,4277 |
IDR |
Indonesian rupiah |
16 672,00 |
MYR |
Malaysian ringgit |
4,7803 |
PHP |
Philippine peso |
59,859 |
RUB |
Russian rouble |
75,0039 |
THB |
Thai baht |
37,655 |
BRL |
Brazilian real |
4,2919 |
MXN |
Mexican peso |
23,3031 |
INR |
Indian rupee |
81,6500 |
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/10 |
INFORMATION FROM THE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2018/1485
(2018/C 421/04)
Pursuant to Article 3 of Council Decision (EU) 2018/1485 of 28 September 2018 establishing the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union as regards the amendments to the Annexes to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and to the Regulations annexed to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN) (1), the Commission informs that the decisions taken at the respective bodies are available at:
https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/2018/CN.488.2018-Eng.pdf and https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/2018/CN.489.2018-Eng.pdf
V Announcements
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
European Commission
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/11 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.9184 — Engie/Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole/Omnes Capital/4 Windfarms)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2018/C 421/05)
1.
On 13 November 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).This notification concerns the following undertakings:
— |
Engie S.A. (‘Engie’, France), |
— |
Omnes Capital (France), |
— |
Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole S.A. (‘Prédica’, France), controlled by Crédit Agricole S.A., |
— |
4 windfarms (‘The Target’, France), controlled by Engie. |
Engie, Omnes Capital and Prédica acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the Target.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
— |
Engie is an industrial company active throughout the entire energy-value chain in the fields of gas and electricity supply, as well as in energy services, |
— |
Omnes Capital is an independent French asset management company active in several branches of private equity, notably in the renewable energy sector, |
— |
Prédica is a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole S.A. active in the insurance sector, |
— |
The Target consists in 4 windfarms active in the generation and wholesale supply of electricity. |
3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
4.
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
M.9184 — Engie/Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole/Omnes Capital/4 Windfarms
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
Fax +32 22964301 |
Postal address: |
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/13 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.9181 — Engie/Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole/Omnes Capital/Equinox VIIIA)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2018/C 421/06)
1.
On 13 November 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).This notification concerns the following undertakings:
— |
Engie S.A. (‘Engie’, France), |
— |
Omnes Capital (France), |
— |
Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole S.A. (‘Prédica’, France), controlled by Crédit Agricole S.A., |
— |
13 photovoltaic plants (‘The Target’, France): 7 photovoltaic plants controlled by Engie, 4 photovoltaic plants controlled by Luxolaire Verwaltungs S.a.r.l. and 2 photovoltaic plants controlled by Equinox Invest S.à.r.l. |
Engie, Omnes Capital and Prédica acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the Target.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
— |
Engie is an industrial company active throughout the entire energy-value chain in the fields of gas and electricity supply, as well as in energy services, |
— |
Omnes Capital is an independent French asset management company active in several branches of private equity, notably in the renewable energy sector, |
— |
Prédica is a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole S.A. active in the insurance sector, |
— |
The Target consists in 13 photovoltaic plants active in the generation and wholesale supply of electricity. |
3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
4.
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
M.9181 — Engie/Prédica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole/Omnes Capital/Equinox VIIIA
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
Fax +32 22964301 |
Postal address: |
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/15 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.8881 — Bergé/GEFCO/JV)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2018/C 421/07)
1.
On 12 November 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).This notification concerns the following undertakings:
— |
Bergé Automotive Logistics, S.L. (‘BAL’, Spain), belonging to Bergé y Cía, S.A., |
— |
GEFCO España, S.A. (‘GEFCO España’, Spain), belonging to GEFCO, S.A. (GEFCO, France), ultimately controlled by the Russian state-owned rail company RZD. |
BAL and GEFCO España acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly-created company that would integrate and manage the finished vehicle logistic businesses and assets of both companies in Spain.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.
The same concentration was already notified to the Commission on 16 October 2018, but the notification was subsequently withdrawn on 8 November 2018.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:— for BAL: the provision of logistics services and transport solutions especially to the automotive industry in Spain.
— for GEFCO España: the provision of logistics services and transport solutions especially to the automotive industry in Spain.
3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
4.
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
M.8881 — Bergé/GEFCO/JV
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
Fax +32 22964301 |
Postal address: |
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
21.11.2018 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 421/16 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.9193 — Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited/Eurolife Erb Insurance Group Holdings S.A.)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2018/C 421/08)
1.
On 13 Novemberber 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).This notification concerns the following undertakings:
— |
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (‘Fairfax’, Canada), |
— |
Eurolife Erb Insurance Group Holdings S.A. (‘Eurolife’, Greece). |
Fairfax acquires, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation, sole control of the whole of Eurolife. The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:— for Fairfax: a holding company active in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management.
— for Eurolife: a holding company active in life and non-life insurance and reinsurance and insurance distribution in Greece and Romania.
3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
4.
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
M.9193 — Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited/Eurolife Erb Insurance Group Holdings S.A.
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
Fax +32 22964301 |
Postal address: |
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).