Greece and Germany’s Deutsche Telekom agree on telecoms deal

Greek Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis said Deutsche Telekom would pay €29.75 per share for a 3% stake in the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE). “The Greek government will receive €442.3 million,” Alogoskoufis said. Under the deal, which was agreed upon after months of negotiations, the Greek government and Deutsche Telekom would each control 25% plus one share of OTE, while the German operator could also raise its holdings of the Greek company in the future. Each party will control five seats on OTE’s 10-seat board and Deutsche Telekom will name the CEO, with the Greek government allowed the right to veto up to two candidates.

“The deal ensures that there is a balanced share ownership and a balanced board of directors,” said Alogoskoufis, adding that Deutsche Telekom will not be able to fire employees or sell shares without government approval until the end of 2011. Alogoskoufis said that a partnership with Europe’s largest telecoms organization will strengthen OTE, both financially and technologically. The deal also open’s the door for Deutsche Telekom in central and eastern Europe markets, offering access to unattainable markets such as Romania and Bulgaria. The deal will go into effect once it is approved by Greece’s 300-seat parliament, where the ruling conservatives have a slim one seat majority.

Deutsche Telekom announced in March the acquisition of a 20% stake in OTE for €2.5 billion from Marfin Investment Group Holdings SA. The government immediately came under fire by opposition leaders and labor unions following the announcement, with workers planning walkouts on Thursday. The ruling conservative government is planning to sell off stakes in a number of state-run companies in order to lower the country’s public debt, including the main commercial ports. (m&c.com)