Brussels, 04/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission authorised the Norwegian and Canadian paper companies, Norske Skog and Abitibi to acquire an increased stake in Pan Asia Paper Company (Papco) through the purchase of South Korea's Hansol's existing 33% stake in Papco. This will result in Papco becoming a 50/50 joint venture between Norske Skog and Abitibi, a transaction which does not raise any competition concerns in Europe since Papco is only active in Asia.