German energy major E.ON and GDF-Suez, the French company to be formed from the merger of Gaz de France and Suez, are in negotiations regarding a possible cross-shareholding in each other's company, Thomson Financial quotes Sueddeutsche Zeitung as saying.
Citing cartel reasons, the deal may even entail GDF-Suez selling Belgian unit Distrigaz to E.ON, the report said. In turn, GDF-Suez is interested in increasing its current 32% stake in Berlin-based Gasag, the newspaper revealed.
Citing a spokeswoman from Paris, the report said that GDF-Suez is also in strategic talks with Germany utility firm EWE. While EWE has a 47.9% stake in eastern German gas company Verbundnetz Gas, GDF has a 5.3% stake. The newspaper said that GDF has been waiting for a long time to increase its stake in Verbundnetz Gas.