Brussels, 28/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 21 December, the European Commission authorised the acquisition by French state-owned electricity company Electricité de France (EdF) of three businesses currently owned by TXU Europe in the United Kingdom. EdF is buying West Burton Power Station and the Eastern Electricity distribution business and is buying TXU Europe out of the network asset management joint venture company which they had together - 24Seven, a 50: 50 joint venture between EdF and TXU Europe. The Commission found that the transaction will not give rise to competition problems in the way the distribution assets are managed and operated as these functions are currently carried out by the joint venture 24Seven. As a result of the operation, the ownership and operation of the distribution assets of Eastern and London Electricity will be reunited. The Commission's review also found that the deals raised no competition concerns in relation to EdF's activities elsewhere in the electricity supply chain in England and Wales, regardless of whether they are in the electricity generation, distribution or supply markets.