EU anti-trust chief Joaquin Almunia welcomed Monday the "stabilising effect" of a deal between Belgium, France and Luxembourg to rescue Dexia, the first bank to fall victim to the eurozone debt crisis. "The Commission takes note of the announcement made by the French, Belgian and Luxembourg authorities of a new restructuring plan for Dexia," Almunia said in a statement. "It welcomes the stabilising effect of the agreement on the banking group and for the financial system as a whole."