Brussels, 27/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to close the two infraction proceedings that it opened last year against Portugal following the veto issued by the Portuguese authorities concerning the acquisition of the Champalimaud group by Banco Santander Central Hispanico. EUROPE recalls that the Commission authorised this operation and judged the Portuguese measures against Internal Market and Competition rules. In the meantime, this operation was withdrawn due to a new concentration operation that was approved by the Commission. Portugal annulled the incriminating measures as well as the proceeding before the Court with the Commission.