Brussels, 25/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has referred a joint venture project between Connex Vekehr GmbH (French Vivendi group) and Deutsche Nahvekehrsgesellschaft mbH (DNVG), which will essentially be involved in the local German and internal markets, to the German competition authorities. The new company, named Deutsche Nahverkehrs- Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgessellschaft mbH will offer public transport services in the Riesa area (Saxony, Germany) with 51% controlled by Connex and 49% by DNVG. The Commission accepted Bundeskartellamt's request to refer the transaction, which feared that the joint venture would create structural links between the public transport operator in Hanover and Connex, which is solidly present in the neighbouring market of Schaulburg and could take advantage of its position to get a foothold in the Hanover market.