Brussels, 21/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has given the go-ahead for an operation which will see Taittinger become jointly controlled by CNP, the financial holding company controlled by the Belgian businessman Albert Frère (and to date, solely owned by the Taittinger family). Taittinger is renowned for its champagne but in addition to trading in wine and spirits, it also has interests in the hotel business and the luxury goods sector, crystalware and perfumes, where CNP is also present. However, CNP and Taittinger play only a minor role in the wine production and sales markets, where the competition remains very strong.