Brussels set to OK Lagardere purchase of Vivendi publisher

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2003

BRUSSELS (AFP) — EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti is likely to give the green light to the purchase of Vivendi Universal's publishing arm by French group Lagardere, his spokeswoman said.

Monti "has the intention of submitting to the Commission clearance in the coming weeks" for Lagardere's acquisition of Editis, formerly Vivendi Universal Publishing (VUP), spokeswoman Amelia Torres said.

The proposal would follow Monti's latest conditions for the deal accepted by Lagardere on Tuesday, she said.

Lagardere has said it will agree to keep Editis operations equal to just 40 percent of sales in order to gain EU approval for the deal.

The Commission, which resumed an investigation into the deal in August, is due to announce its decision by January...