The EU Commission publishes a White Paper on the application of merger control rules to the acquisition of non-controlling minority shareholdings with the objective of providing a more effective merger control regime

COMMISSION PUBLISHES WHITE PAPER ON MINORITY SHAREHOLDINGS* On 9 July 2014, the EU Commission (Commission) published a White Paper (White Paper) entitled Towards more effective EU merger control. The White Paper sets out the Commission’s current thinking on the application of merger control rules to the acquisition of non-controlling minority shareholdings. The Commission’s proposals concerning the application of merger controls to the acquisition of non-controlling minority shareholdings are, however, problematic and may lead to a dampening of investments in Europe. Interested parties, which include companies, industry associations and national competition authorities, have until 3 October 2014 to comment on the White Paper. Under the current Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (the