Brussels, 16/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 15 October, the European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of Distrigaz, a Belgian gas supplier, by the Italian energy company Eni. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it. Eni is an integrated energy company whose activities include the marketing and supply of natural gas. Distrigaz is active in the natural gas business mainly in Belgium and France. The proposed acquisition is a consequence of the Commission's 2006 conditional approval of the merger between Gaz de France and Suez (see EUROPE 9306), which required Gaz de France and Suez to divest Suez's share in the capital of Distrigaz. (L.C./transl.rt)