Aerospace Company Says It Is Too Early To Release Details Of Any Changes

State participation in the European aerospace giant EADS was a topic of conversation between France, Germany, EADS, and Daimler over the weekend, according to media reports. But EADS says that the details being reported in the media are still just speculation.

Reuters reports that, according to the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the discussions focused on a cap for the states of 30 percent of EADS, the parent company of Airbus, Eurocopter, and Astrium. France and Germany would each hold 12 percent and Spain 4 percent. That would leave 2 percent that states could acquire in the future. The talks also reportedly discussed the level of state participation in the company's management structure.

But EADS says all of the figures being reported in the media are just speculation, and that no final decisions have been made. In a media release, the company said only that it could confirm that key shareholders are discussing potential changes in the company shareholding structure and corporate governance.

"The company is participating actively in such discussions, as appropriate, with the support of its Board of Directors, with the objective to preserve and enhance, where appropriate, the interests of all stakeholders, including shareholders, clients and employees," the statement said. "The currently-discussed potential changes are likely to require the approval of EADS NV shareholders and there can be no certainty that these discussions will be conclusive. A further announcement will be made as appropriate.

FMI: www.eads.com