I think you read it wrong then. It just says that Apple has accepted it, not that they decide.
It is EU who makes the rules. This just implies that Apple is on board or have been forced to do so.
If Apple had denied, it would break the rules laid upon them.
The fact apple has the option to accept or deny a third party store means they get to decide what third party stores are allowed on their device. The spirit of the law that the EU punished them for would say that apple should not have any say in what the users install on their devices, similar to how Aptoide, f-droid, and other third party app stores exist on android without requiring Google’s approval. Apple is just doing all they can to comply to the smallest legal degree they can to make as much money as possible from the waiting period between EU wristslaps.
All iOS apps on the app store need app approval. It’s the same for Googles app store, and I bet Samsungs and Amazon’s as well.
They test your app and make sure it functions and meets some basic guidelines.
The EU isn’t giving 3rd party stores carte blanche to break the rules, so yes apple has to approve it.
I imagine there’s probably some extra rules just for app stores, but if that’s the case (I don’t know) they’d need to be reasonable or they’d get in trouble.
I am curious though if apple can enforce rules on what apps go on the 3rd party store.
Edit: lots of edits for clarity, but also, apple appears to be being a dick in the process of approving this and abusing their position.
