Brussels, 23/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the European Commission announced the following decisions concerning competition and state aid. It has given the go-ahead to:
The acquisition of Intertrust by Sony and Philips, a digital rights management company;
The acquisition of sole control of Astrium (space systems) by EADS;
The creation of a chemicals joint venture by German companies Brenntag and Biesterfeld;
The acquisition by Accor of a controlling stake in the hotels group Dorint;
The launch of several dairy product joint ventures by Nestlé and Fonterra Cooperative Group.
The Commission decided to refer the assessment of the deal between Electrabel and IEH on the supply of electricity to eligible clients back to the Belgian competition authorities. Europe will be returning in more detail to these decisions.