UPDATE 2-Staples wins approval for Corp Express takeover

(Adds CEO comment)

By Gilbert Kreijger

AMSTERDAM, June 18 (Reuters) - U.S. office goods supplier Staples (SPLS.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) won approval from the European Commission for its 1.7 billion euro ($2.6 billion) takeover bid for Dutch peer Corporate Express CXP.AS on Wednesday.

Corporate Express Chief Executive Peter Ventress, who initially rebuffed the Staples offer, said on the sidelines of a shareholders' conference the Corporate Express graphics unit may be a candidate for divestment after the merger.

So far, Staples has not detailed any major cost cuts or job losses as a result of the merger, expected to close in July.

"Maybe at some point in time, it (graphics) may not be part of the business, but at this moment we are pleased with the unit," Ventress told Reuters. Staples raised its all-cash offer to 9.25 euros per share from 9.15 euros last week, winning the backing of Corporate Express, which also ditched its own deal to buy French privately-owned competitor Lyreco.

"The Commission's decision not to oppose the transaction constitutes the final regulatory clearance requirement for the offer," Staples said in a statement late on Tuesday.

U.S. and Canadian regulatory authorities have already approved its Corporate Express bid.

For Staples, the deal expands its presence in the company contracts business in Europe and North America, where it competes with Office Depot (ODP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and OfficeMax (OMX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) as well as Corporate Express.