Company law: takeover bids, protection of shareholders, workers rights to information, 13th directive

The Commission has endeavoured to take account as far as possible of Parliament's point of view as expressed at the first reading and has amended its proposal to incorporate the proposed amendments. It is aware of certain differences between its amended proposal and the Council's common position. It has, however, cooperated with the Council on the amendments to the wording of its proposal following discussions and endeavours throughout several presidencies and considers that the proposal as presently worded already constitutes progress in the harmonisation of takeover bids in Europe. It is pleased that a compromise has eventually been reached on the text of the common position and hopes that its definitive adoption will follow quickly.�