Cross-border mergers to be made simpler 

The proposed directive would make such mergers simpler for all companies with share capital (and especially SMEs) who want to operate across EU-borders but not throughout the EU and thus are not likely to seek incorporation under the European Company Statute.

The Commission proposes that cross-border mergers be carried out under the law of the country in which the merged entity is registered.

Protection for creditors, debenture holders, holders of securities other than shares, minority shareholders and employees would be maintained as it is under the applicable national law. Regarding the issue of employees' rights, and specifically workers' participation, a special negotiation procedure would apply to maintain existing rights.

This directive is the first to be presented under the Commission's Action Plan on company law and corporate governance of May 2003.