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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-08-28
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Roaming prices: Calling home becomes cheaper again – but not texting
across borders
[02] Commission clears acquisition of Landmark by NBC, Blackstone and Bain
Capital
[03] Commission clears acquisition of Salland Olie Holding by Delek
Nederland
[04] Commission clears joint venture between Flowserve and Linde
[05] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of certain Schering-
Plough animal health products by Pfizer
[06] Mergers: Commission approves proposed creation of joint venture by
Edison and Hellenic Petroleum
Midday Express of 2008-08-28
Reference: MEX/08/0828
Date: 28/08/2008
EXME08 / 28.08
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
28/08/08
[01] Roaming prices: Calling home becomes cheaper again – but not texting
across borders
On 30 August, it will become cheaper to make or receive calls while
travelling in the EU. The price ceiling for roaming calls (the Eurotariff)
introduced by the EU in 2007 will fall from €0.49 to €0.46 per minute
(excluding VAT) for making a call and from €0.24 to €0.22 per minute
(excluding VAT) for receiving a call while in another EU country. These
price reductions are the result of the EU Roaming Regulation, proposed by
the European Commission in 2006 to curb the excessive roaming charges
consumers had to pay for roaming calls (on average €1.15 per minute at
the time (IP/06/978)). The EU Roaming Regulation which will expire in 2010,
is currently under review. Following the specific request of the European
Parliament the Commission must propose by the end of 2008 whether to extend
the Regulation in time and in scope. Figures published by national telecoms
regulators this summer have shown that prices for roaming text messages and
data services remain unjustifiably high (IP/08/1144).
[02] Commission clears acquisition of Landmark by NBC, Blackstone and Bain
Capital
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Landmark Communications,
Inc. (Landmark) of the US by NBC Universal, Inc., Bain Capital Fund X, L.P.
controlled by Bain Capital Investors LLC (Bain Capital) and Blackstone
Capital Partners V L.P., which is ultimately controlled by The Blackstone
Group L.P., all of the US. NBC Universal is a diversified international
media and entertainment group. Blackstone is a global investment and
advisory firm. Bain Capital is a global private investment company.
Landmark provides weather information for television, to businesses or
consumers via various interactive platforms and also supplies weather radar
systems. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review
procedure.
[03] Commission clears acquisition of Salland Olie Holding by Delek
Nederland
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Salland Olie Holding B.V
of The Netherlands by Delek Nederland B.V., also of The Netherlands. Both
companies are active in the wholesale trade and transport of petroleum
products and the operation of petrol stations. The operation was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure.
[04] Commission clears joint venture between Flowserve and Linde
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the joint venture between Flowserve Corporation (Flowserve)
of the US and Linde AG of Germany. Flowserve manufactures industrial pumps
and valves. Linde is active in industrial gases, development of natural gas
plants and logistics. The joint venture, Flowserve Compression, will make
refuelling systems for natural gas vehicles. The operation was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure.
Rediffusion
[05] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of certain Schering-
Plough animal health products by Pfizer
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of certain animal health assets of Schering-Plough (SP
Assets) by Pfizer, both U.S. pharmaceutical companies. After examining the
operation, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not
significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area
(EEA) or any substantial part of it.
[06] Mergers: Commission approves proposed creation of joint venture by
Edison and Hellenic Petroleum
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of a newly created joint venture in the market for the
generation and wholesale supply of electricity in Greece by Edison S.p.A.,
an Italian energy company, and Hellenic Petroleum S.A. (HelPe), a Greek
energy company. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded
that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition
in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):
Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :
RCA/MÁV Cargo
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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