09/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has just authorised the French company Pernod Ricard SA and the British Diageo Plc to buy from Vivendi Universal SA the world activities of Seagram Spirits and Wines. According to the terms of the framework agreement concluded by the buyers, they will share most of the major Seagram brands and assets, while a certain number of other brands and assets will be sold to third parties. The Commission authorisation is subordinate to the respect of this agreement the sale of the "Four Roses" bourbon brand to a third party and the disassociation between the distribution of the rum brand "Captain Morgan" in Iceland and the distribution of other Diageo brands on this market. EUROPE will return to this case in more detail tomorrow