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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12420

7 February 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 15 / 30
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS / Competition
In-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of GrandVision by EssilorLuxottica
Brussels, 06/02/2020 (Agence Europe)

As expected(see EUROPE B12416A28), the European Commission opened on Thursday 6 February an in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of GrandVision (a Dutch company) by EssilorLuxottica (a French-Italian company). 

The Commission is concerned that the merger could reduce competition in the market for the wholesale supply of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear as well as in the market for the retail supply of optical products.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of...

Contents

INSTITUTIONAL
UNITED KINGDOM: fair competition conditions, a major concern for Twenty-Seven and European Parliament
RULE OF LAW: Von der Leyen and Morawiecki meet against backdrop of new concerns about rule of law in Poland
BUDGET: Mette Frederiksen considers 2021-2027 MFF agreement on 20 February unlikely
GERMANY: after elections in Thuringia, several European political families call for united front against far right
SECTORAL POLICIES
SPACE: Commission prepares for difficult budget negotiations with European Space Agency
COMPANIES: European Commission’s strategy for SMEs is becoming clearer
DIGITAL: imminent negotiations in European Parliament on creation of special 'artificial intelligence' committee
DIGITAL: Digital Services Act—lobbyists are on deck
JUSTICE: Laura Codruţa Kövesi calls for a 'significantly increased' budget of European Public Prosecutor's Office for 2020
ENERGY: despite a record year in 2019, offshore wind turbine construction still falls short of EU climate targets
TRANSPORT: electric car sales up sharply at end of 2019, according to ACEA
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
ECB: communication will be an element in evaluation of monetary policy strategy, promises Mrs Lagarde
FINANCE: ESMA unveils its sustainable finance strategy
COMPETITION: Paris, Berlin, Rome and Warsaw call for reform of competition rules
COMPETITION: in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of GrandVision by EssilorLuxottica
STATE AID: in-depth investigation into tax treatment of waste 'recovery' operations in Belgium
STATE AID: green light for increased aid reducing tax on air travel to small islands in Germany
EXTERNAL ACTION
ENLARGEMENT: Commission proposal welcomed by candidate countries and European Parliament
SYRIA: Idleb, EU calls for cessation of bombing and full humanitarian access
UNITED STATES: in Washington, Hogan will do the impossible and save 'positive' agenda between parties
SECURITY - DEFENCE
DEFENCE: Netherlands calls for an inclusive European Defence Fund
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
HEALTH: regulation of insurance policies applicable to medical devices falls within national jurisdiction, according to Advocate General
NEWS BRIEFS
AGRICULTURE: European Commission approves new geographical indications from Norway
WESTERN BALKANS: Mr Várhelyi supports regional Schengen initiative
CYPRUS: lifting of obligation of early repayment to ESM
COHESION: European Commission wants to involve citizens more in cohesion policy
COMPETITION: European Commission has until 17 April 2020 to reach a decision on Chantiers de l'Atlantique/Fincantieri merger
ENERGY: European Parliament’s EPP Group will support fourth list of projects of common interest
DIGITAL: Vodafone to get rid of Huawei equipment in its core networks
TRANSPORT: Ryanair fined for “misleading” green advertising by UK regulator