01/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 25 August, the European Commission's internal market directorate general sent a letter to the Italian authorities on their veto of the proposed merger between Spanish motorway operator Abertis and the Italian company Autostrade, Commissioner Charlie McCreevy's spokesman confirmed on 31 August. The Italian authorities have ten days from receipt of the letter to respond. This refusal could be deemed to be a violation of the rules on the free movement of capital. The Commission is also investigating this transaction from the competition angle, questioning the validity of the application of Italian national law to a transaction of European dimensions.