Brussels, 06/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has given its clearance to the proposed takeover of European Petroleum Holding NV by the Dutch company, Petroplus BV, both companies being active in the petroleum sector (refining of crude oil, storage, marketing and trading of crude oil and refined petroleum products). After its investigation, the Commission came to the conclusion that the position of the merged entity would be particularly important in the markets for non-retail sales of diesel fuel in the UK, for non-retail sales of domestic heating oil in the Netherlands and for sales of marine fuels in Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp. The operation nonetheless entails only a low increase in market shares and the new entity will continue to face up to major competition, especially the large global oil companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and Total.