Brussels, 22/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission approved the acquisition of Alstom's electricity transmission and distribution business (Alstom T&D) by Areva SA, a producer of components for nuclear power plants and supplier of related services. The operation poses no competition concerns since the two companies are present in different product markets whose integration is equally unproblematic given their limited market shares. In September, Alstom announced it was selling T&D to Areva for EUR 950 million in order to reduce its huge levels of debt. The decision does not prejudge the outcome of a separate ongoing investigation into restructuring state aid to Alstom itself, the parent of the divested business. In the summer the French state and Alstom's banks established a EUR 4.7 bill rescue plan for Alstom.