THE COMPETITION COUNCIL PERMITTED E. ON ENERGIE AG TO EFFECT MERGER

In its meeting the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania examined the notification submitted by the German power company E. ON ENERGIE AG on the intended merger by acquiring a 100 percent controlling interest of the major European gas suppliers RUHRGAS AG. Although the merger is actually effected abroad, the permission of the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania was required since both parties to the merger also operate in the Lithuanian market.

The Competition Council established that the intended merger by E. ON ENERGIE AG will not affect the structure of the relevant markets or the degree of concentration, and will not cause any substantial restriction of competition in the relevant product market in Lithuania.

Acting in accordance with provisions of the Law on Competition the Competition Council decided to permit E. ON ENERGIE AG to effect the intended merger by acquiring a 100 percent controlling interest of RUHRGAS AG according to the submitted notification.