The European Commission has approved the proposed acquisition of OMV Slovenija by MOL.

The transaction would:

• Reduce from 3 to 2 the number of significant retail motor fuel operators in Slovenia in a market with high barriers to entry and expansion;
• Significantly reduce competition in the market for the retail sale of motor fuel to individuals from non-motorway fuel stations in Slovenia, given that MOL and OMV Slovenija are very close competitors; and
• Increase the likelihood of coordination on the retail motor fuel market between MOL and Petrol.

MOL has proposed to transfer ownership of a comprehensive retail network consisting of 39 fuel stations in Slovenia, which are currently operated under both MOL and OMV Slovenija, to the Shell Group. The commitments made effectively resolve the competition concerns identified by the Commission. As a result, the Commission has determined that the proposed transaction, with the modifications outlined in the commitments, no longer presents any competition concerns.