Brussels, 27/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Monday the European Commission authorised the acquisition by European aerospace and defence company EADS of BAE System's shareholding in Astrium, a European supplier of space systems created in 2000. The Commission considers that modification from joint to sole control will not significantly alter the current competitive structure in the market. This transaction is a modification of a similar deal that was notified to the Commission and cleared last December (see EUROPE 3 January 2003). The modification relates to a specific business unit within Astrium that initially was intended to remain under the joint control of EADS and BAE Systems, but over which EADS now acquires sole control. This business unit is responsible for the bidding in a tender procedure organised by the UK government for a military satellite communication system. The Commission investigated in particular whether any vertical issues were likely to result from the closer link between EADS and Astrium, but concluded to the absence of foreclosure or other competition risks.