Article 171
Strategic equity investments
For the purposes of Article 169(1)(a), (2)(a), (3)(a) and (4)(a) and of Article 170(1)(b), (2)(b), (3)(b) and (4)(b), equity investments of a strategic nature shall mean equity investments for which the participating insurance or reinsurance undertaking demonstrates the following:
(a)
that the value of the equity investment is likely to be materially less volatile for the following 12 months than the value of other equities over the same period as a result of both the nature of the investment and the influence exercised by the participating undertaking in the related undertaking;
(b)
that the nature of the investment is strategic, taking into account all relevant factors, including:
(i)
the existence of a clear decisive strategy to continue holding the participation for long period;
(ii)
the consistency of the strategy referred to in point (a) with the main policies guiding or limiting the actions of the undertaking;
(iii)
the participating undertaking's ability to continue holding the participation in the related undertaking;
(iv)
the existence of a durable link;
(v)
where the insurance or reinsurance participating company is part of a group, the consistency of such strategy with the main policies guiding or limiting the actions of the group.