Brussels, 23/08/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 20 August, the European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of Weyl by Vion, two Dutch producers of meat products. On 12 August, it referred the part of the proposed acquisition that relates to the activities of Veolia Transport and Transdev in France and the Netherlands respectively to the French and Dutch competition authorities, at their request. Following a preliminary examination, the Commission found that the transaction would lead to substantial overlap of the companies' activities, particularly on the public passenger transport markets in France and the Netherlands. These aspects will therefore be examined by the French and Dutch competition authorities on the basis of their national competition law. At the same time, the Commission approved the proposed merger of Veolia Transport's and Transdev's activities in territories outside France and the Netherlands. In particular, the Commission found that the merger between the two companies' activities in scheduled international passenger transport by coach would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA). On 11 August, the Commission approved the proposed acquisition of rail and bus operator Arriva plc of the UK by Deutsche Bahn. The decision is conditional upon Deutsche Bahn's commitment to divest Arriva Deutschland which includes the entire rail and bus business of Arriva in Germany. In the light of the commitments, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the EEA or any substantial part of it. On 9 August, the Commission approved the proposed acquisition of Alcon by Novartis, both Swiss pharmaceutical companies. The decision is, however, conditional upon Novartis' commitments to divest several products in the ophthalmological pharmaceutical and consumer vision care areas in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in specific member states. Also on 9 August, the Commission cleared the proposed restructuring of Arnotts' debts in return for a transfer of control to Anglo Irish Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). Arnotts runs a small number of retail outlets, including one of Ireland's oldest department stores in the Dublin city centre. Anglo Irish Bank and RBS offer financial services. (O.L./transl.rt)