Alstom denies reported challenge to Siemens acqusition of VA Tech

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2005

PARIS (AFP) — The French industrial group Alstom denied a German newspaper report that it had gone to the European Union's executive commisison to challenge a bid by German rival Siemens to acquire VA Tech of Austria.

"We deny having taken a case to the commission," an Alstom spokesman told AFP on Thursday.

"We have no conflict with Siemens. We simply responded to a questionnaire from the commission, at its request, in the framework of a consultative procedure, which is standard practice in merger or acqusition plans."

The German newspaper Handelsblatt earlier reported that Alstom had lodged a complaint with the European Commission against the deal.

German group SMS has similarly complained to the European competition authorities, arguing the...