Daily News 09 / 08 / 2024

Daily News 09 / 08 / 2024

EU continues to mobilise support to tackle forest fire emergencies

As wildfires continue to affect multiple European countries, the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is working 24/7 to channel assistance to help tackle the blazes.

Currently, both Bulgaria and North Macedonia are receiving EU assistance following requests to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in recent weeks. In Bulgaria, a total of 10 airplanes and 2 helicopters have been deployed overall to support the country since it requested help on 15 July. Right now 2 Canadairs from the rescEU reserve from Spain are operating in Bulgaria.

In North Macedonia, 3 helicopters and 6 airplanes have been deployed overall to North Macedonia via the Mechanism since it requested help on 30 July. Right now 4 rescEU reserve airplanes from Cyprus and Germany are operating in North Macedonia, with an additional availability of a helicopter from Slovenia which will start the operations on 10 August.

The EU's Copernicus emergency satellite mapping system is also providing support to Greece, following a recent fire on the island of Crete. The Commission is constantly monitoring the situation across Europe and stands ready to provide further help if requested.

Moreover, to boost preparedness measures for this summer fire season, the Commission has set up the rescEU and European Civil Protection Pool whose aerial capacities now include 28 airplanes and 4 helicopters stationed in 10 Member States, available this year to support firefighters across the continent. Secondly, more than 540 firefighters from 12 countries are strategically prepositioned across key locations in Europe, in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain, ready to help local fire brigades if forest fires break out.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 2 296 91 40)

Commission clears the acquisition of Globus Holding by Harng Central Department

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Globus Holding AG of Switzerland by Harng Central Department Store Limited of Thailand

The transaction relates primarily to the retail of non-food products sector.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction and its limited impact on the market structure. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11631.

(For more information: Francesca Dalboni – Tel.: +32 2 298 81 70; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission clears acquisition of AOA by SCP and BCI

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of AOA Top Tier II L.P. (‘AOA') by Searchlight Capital Partners (‘SCP'), both of the US, and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (‘BCI') of Canada.

The transaction relates primarily to billboard advertising and outdoor advertising displays.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area and that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11642.

(For more information: Francesca Dalboni – Tel.: +32 2 298 81 70; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission clears acquisition of Czech Gas Networks by ČEZ and BCI

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Czech Gas Networks S.à r.l. (‘CGNS') of Luxembourg, by ČEZ, a. s., of Czechia, and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (‘BCI') of Canada.

The transaction relates primarily to the distribution and retail supply of gas in Czechia.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active. In particular, the Commission found that the merged entity would not have the ability nor incentive to engage in any foreclosure strategy. The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11538.

(For more information: Francesca Dalboni – Tel.: +32 2 298 81 70; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Calendar – Updates on Commissioners' weekly activities will resume on Friday, 23 August.

Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission

Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne

Eurostat: communiqués de presse