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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 97-02-25
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
25/02/97
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission initiates second phase proceedings on the take-over of the
Dutch operations of Toys "R" US by Blokker
[02] Commission approves the acquisition by UPM-Kymmene of Finnpap in the
Finnish paper industry
[03] Hans van den Broek visits Cyprus
[04] Commission and World Bank cooperation in Africa moves into a higher
gear
[01] Commission initiates second phase proceedings on the take-over of the
Dutch operations of Toys "R" US by Blokker
The European Commission has decided to open second-phase proceedings in the
take-over of the Dutch Toys "R" Us operation by Blokker Holding B.V.
(Blokker) in The Netherlands. Blokker has by far the largest market share
as a toy retailer in the Netherlands and therefore holds a significant
position as a retailer and as a purchaser of toys. In assessing the
operation, the Commission in particular needs to examine the effect of the
combination of the Toys "R" US "mega" stores with Blokker's familiarity
with the Dutch retail market. The Commission now has a maximum of a
further 4 months in which to complete its enquiries and take a final
decision on the case.
[02] Commission approves the acquisition by UPM-Kymmene of Finnpap in the
Finnish paper industry
The European Commission has decided to approve the acquisition of Finnpap
Ltd by UPM-Kymmene, a large international company primarily active in the
forest product industry, including printing paper and packaging materials.
Following the acquisition, UPM-Kymmene will hold 100% of the shares in
Finnpap Ltd, the former Finnpap Marketing Association which was founded by
several Finnish paper companies for the purpose of selling and marketing
their paper on world markets. Following the withdrawal from Finnpap of two
other Finnish paper companies, Metsä-Serla and Myllyloski, Finnpap itself
is only involved in the marketing and sale of UPM-Kymmene products. The
operation will thus not lead to any additional market shares and is not
considered to have any impact on UPM-Kymmene's market position.
Consequently, the operation does not create or strengthen a dominant
position and is considered by the Commission compatible with the common
market and the EEA Agreement.
[03] Hans van den Broek visits Cyprus
Commissioner Hans van den Broek is paying an official visit to Cyprus on 26-
28 February 1997. The Commissioner will encounter President Glafcos
Clerides as well as the Foreign Minister of the Cypriot government, Mr
Alecos Michaelides. He will also meet the President of the House of
Representatives, as well as leaders of the Cypriot political parties. Mr
van den Broek will be accompanied by Mr Heaslip, the Representative for
Cyprus of the EU Presidency.
[04] Commission and World Bank cooperation in Africa moves into a higher
gear
Two high level teams led by the European Commissioner for Development and
External Relations with ACP countries, Joćo de Deus Pinheiro, and by Jean-
Louis Sarbib, the World Bank Regional Vice-President for Africa, held a two
day-seminar in Brussels to discuss progress under a program of enhanced
collaboration in Africa between the European Commission and the World Bank
that was launched in July 1996 in Lisbon. The Commission and the World
Bank agreed to move to a high gear and to concentrate their joint efforts
in three pilot countries - Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Mozambique - and two
thematic areas: poverty alleviation and private sector development.
Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Joćo de Deus Pinheiro said: "We
have moved from consulting over the concept to co-ordinating in-the-field.
This is certainly good news for recipient countries in Sub-Saharan Africa."
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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