22/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has granted clearance to a joint venture between OJSC Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) of Russia and Duferco Participations Holdings Ltd of Guernsey. NLMK and Duferco will acquire joint control of various companies (the JV Companies) currently under the sole control of Duferco and its affiliates. NLMK produces and sells carbon steel semi-finished and finished flat products and electrical steel products. Duferco produces and sells carbon steel semi-finished and finished flat and long products, and buys and resells electrical steel and high-alloy steel. The JV Companies are active in the production and processing of carbons steel semi-finished and finished flat and long products. The merger was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. (cd)