Brussels, 07/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the Ecofin Council reached a political agreement on the "conglomerates" directive that is to strengthen prudential surveillance of credit establishments, insurance companies and investment firms grouped within conglomerates. It approved an essential part of the amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 14 March. The text will impose rules of solvency on conglomerates and ban duplication of own funds to cover risks in various entities...