Brussels, 25/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 21 May, the European Commission, applying the EU Merger Regulation, cleared the proposed merger of Total Italia and Erg Petroli (EGP), both of Italy, into a new joint venture which will combine the oil refining and marketing activities of both parties in Italy and which will be jointly controlled by them. Although the parties' activities overlap in several upstream and downstream markets for refined oil products (in non-retail sales of fuels, retail sales of motor fuels, sales of LPG in bulk and bottles and sales of bitumen), the Commission concluded that these overlaps on the Italian market would not give rise to competition concerns as the parties would continue to face several competitors controlling refineries, storage facilities and a developed network of retail stations. Total Italia, the Italian subsidiary of the Total group is active mainly in the refining and marketing of oil products and ERG, through its Italian subsidiary EGP, operates a retail and wholesale network in the same market. Notice of the merger was submitted to the Commission on 14 April 2010. (F.G./transl.rt)