# C_2006177EN.01002901.xml

| 29.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/29 |
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29.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/29

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4284 — Axa/Winterthur)

(2006/C 177/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 20 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking AXA S.A., (‘AXA’, France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation sole control of the whole of the undertaking ‘Winterthur’ Swiss Insurance Company (‘Winterthur’, Switzerland) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 20 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking AXA S.A., (‘AXA’, France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation sole control of the whole of the undertaking ‘Winterthur’ Swiss Insurance Company (‘Winterthur’, Switzerland) by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | AXA: international group active in the provision of life and non-life insurance and related financial services primarily in Western Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific Region, the Middle East and Africa; |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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AXA: international group active in the provision of life and non-life insurance and related financial services primarily in Western Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific Region, the Middle East and Africa;

| — | for Winterthur: international group active in the provision of (i) non-life insurance products and services, predominantly in Europe and the United States of America (ii) life insurance and pension products and services in Europe and selected Asian markets. |
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for Winterthur: international group active in the provision of (i) non-life insurance products and services, predominantly in Europe and the United States of America (ii) life insurance and pension products and services in Europe and selected Asian markets.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4284 — Axa/Winterthur, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4284 — Axa/Winterthur, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004 p. 1.

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