Brussels, 04/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 4 August, the European Commission cleared the acquisition of insurance company Nateus of Belgium by rival Bâloise of Switzerland (insurance, pension solutions, banking services), which operates in several European countries. Although the activities of the two parties overlap in Belgium, especially in the transport sector, the investigation revealed that combined market shares of the parties will remain moderate and that a range of other insurance companies will competitively restrain the merged company. Thus, the proposed transaction - resulting from the commitment by Ethias to sell its stake in the Nateus group as part of its restructuring plan (see EUROPE 10143) - is not expected to cause any competition problems, the Commission said. (F.G./transl.jl)