22/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has cleared under the proposed acquisition of Aral ÈR a.s. (“Aral ÈR”) by OMV Aktiengesellschaft (”OMV”). The OMV group is an international group based in Austria. It is mainly active in the exploration and production, refining and distribution of mineral oil products. Aral ÈR is a Czech company active only in the retail and non-retail sale of fuel in the Czech Republic. Aral ÈR operates a nationwide network of 70 petrol stations. Although both parties are active in retail and non-retail sale of fuel in the Czech Republic where OMV has 146 service stations, and Aral 70, but there are a number of other multinational and local competitors active on the markets (Shell, Benzona, Agip and ConocoPhillips).