PARIS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - French bank BNP Paribas said on Monday it was still determined to seal its acquisition of some of the main assets of Fortis, despite legal hurdles to the transaction.
'BNP Paribas remains determined to pursue the acquisition of the Fortis businesses, in accordance with the Oct. 10 agreement signed with the Belgian government and Fortis Holding,' a BNP Paribas spokesman told Reuters.
The spokesman added that failing to buy Fortis in the 'right conditions' would be a 'missed opportunity' but it would not cost BNP Paribas anything.
The spokesman said it was 'normal' that the Belgian government took its time to analyse the situation.
(Reporting by Matthieu Protard; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter) Keywords: FORTIS/BNPPARIBAS (sudip.kargupta@reuters.com; +33 1 49 49 54 52; Reuters Messaging:sudip.kargupta.reuters.com@reuters.net ) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
'BNP Paribas remains determined to pursue the acquisition of the Fortis businesses, in accordance with the Oct. 10 agreement signed with the Belgian government and Fortis Holding,' a BNP Paribas spokesman told Reuters.
The spokesman added that failing to buy Fortis in the 'right conditions' would be a 'missed opportunity' but it would not cost BNP Paribas anything.
The spokesman said it was 'normal' that the Belgian government took its time to analyse the situation.
(Reporting by Matthieu Protard; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter) Keywords: FORTIS/BNPPARIBAS (sudip.kargupta@reuters.com; +33 1 49 49 54 52; Reuters Messaging:sudip.kargupta.reuters.com@reuters.net ) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.