L 293/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 10.11.2001 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 9 August 2001 relating to a proceeding under Article 81 of the EC Treaty and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case No COMP/[29.373 — Visa International) (*) (notified under document number C(2001) 2425) (Only the English text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2001/782/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, Having regard to Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962, First Regulation implementing Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty ('), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1216/1999 (3), and in particular Article 2 thereof, Having regard to the application for negative clearance and the notification with a view to an exemption of 31 January 1977 submitted by Visa International pursuant to Articles 2 and 4 of Regulation No 17, Having regard to the Commission decision of 6 May 1999 to initiate proceedings in this case, Having published a summary of the application and notification and invited interested third parties to submit their observations in accordance with Article 19(3) of Regulation No 17 with regard to the Commission's intention to adopt a positive standpoint on the notified agreement (%), Having consulted the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions, Whereas: I. THE FACTS 1. INTRODUCTION (1) On 31 January 1977 Ibanco Ltd, since 1979 known as Visa International, notified various rules and regulations governing the Visa association and its members to the Commission, applying for negative clearance or, in the alternative, an exemption under Article 81(3) of the Treaty. (*) See also OJ C 316, 10.11.2001. (") O] 13, 21.2.1962, p. 204/62. () O] L 148, 15.6.1999, p. 5. () O C 293, 14.10.2000, p. 18.