Brussels, 08/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission authorised the proposed acquisition of the Dutch telecommunications operator, Versatel, by the Swedish operator Tele2, for the sum of EUR 1.34 billion. In addition to the acquisition by Tele2 of the Dutch and Belgian subsidiaries of Versatel, the Commission agrees to the sale, by the Swedish group, of Versatel activities in Germany to the investment fund, Apax (for the sum of EUR 565 million). The second deal will be clinched once the acquisition of Versatel is finalised. The Commission explains that its investigation “only insignificant horizontal overlaps between the activities of the parties in Belgium and in the Netherlands”. Also, the Commission stresses, “the combined market shares resulting from the proposed transaction would not lead to any restriction of competition”. By grouping its activities in the Netherlands and in Belgium with those of Versatel, Tele2 plans to achieve a pro forma turnover of EUR 800 million in the Benelux countries.