The Italian Competition Authority, at its meeting on 21 June 2006, authorized a joint takeover of Fonti del Vulture (a company which extracts, bottles and sells mineral water) by THE COCA-COLA COMPANY (TCCC) and COCA-COLA HELLENIC BOTTLING COMPANY (CCHBC). During the investigation, which began on 10 May 2006, the Authority determined that the conditions imposed on COCA-COLA HELLENIC BOTTLING COMPANY S.A by a decision of the European Commission on 22 June 2005 should also apply to the mineral water operation under review: those conditions impose severe limits on the commercial policies CCHBC may pursue in the non-alcoholic gassy beverage  market after the takeover of Fonti del Vulture, stipulating the kinds of conduct which are unacceptable. Consequently, the purchase will not strengthen the dominant position of THE COCA-COLA COMPANY and COCA-COLA HELLENIC BOTTLING COMPANY S.A in such a way as to eliminate or substantially and permanently reduce competition in the two markets in question: the market for non-alcoholic gassy beverages for domestic consumption sold through supermarkets and traditional retailers, and the market for beverages consumed outside the home (in hotels, restaurants, pubs and at entertainment venues).

Furthermore, the merger will not lead to the creation of a dominant position for THE COCA-COLA COMPANY and COCA-COLA HELLENIC BOTTLING COMPANY S.A  in the national mineral water market.

Rome, 06 July 2006