Brussels, 17/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has just authorised the acquisition of Socpresse by the Marcel Dassault Industrial Group (GIMD), after GIMD agreed to dispose of the magazine La Vie Financière. GIMD already hold a 30% share in the Socpress, which now increases to 80%. GIMD has interests mainly in aeronautics, computing, wine-growing and magazines. Titles: Valeurs Actuelles, Le Journal des Finances, Finances Magazine and Le Spectacle du Monde. Socpresse controls two groups: Figaro Holding, which produces: Le Figaro and Figaro Magazine, and the Groupe L'Express-L'Expansion, which publishes magazines, including L'Express, L'Expansion, La Vie Financière and Mieux Vivre Votre Argent. The Commission considers that the condition it placed for its approval is sufficient for guaranteeing competition in sale of advertising in economic and financial magazines. If the group had continued the operation, as notified on 30 April 2004, it would have been subject to a probe. Socpresse sells advertising space in over 80 magazines and daily newspapers. The operation raised competition concerns in a market has almost 50% control. Offering to dispose of La Vie Financière, which, given the quality and reputation of the publication, the Commission felt was enough. In its press statement, the Commission explained that to ensure most journalists working on La Vie Financière stay with the magazine after it is sold and do not exercise their right to leave under the clause de cession provided for by French industrial legislation, the Commission will try to ensure the purchaser of the publication has sufficient credibility in the publishing sector to ensure continuity of the title and effective long-term competition on the market.