Germany: On 24 February 2004, the German Federal Cartel Office approved the Bitburger Group’s proposed acquisition of German breweries König-Brauerei and Licher Privatbrauerei, Carlsberg A/S posted on February 26. With this approval, one of the conditions for the takeover offer from Carlsberg Breweries to the shareholders of Holsten-Brauerei AG has been fulfilled.

The remaining conditions not yet fulfilled relate inter alia to the EU Commission's clearance of the takeover of Holsten-Brauerei and the achievement of a level of acceptance of no less than 75 per cent of the issued Holsten shares. The acceptance period for the takeover offer expires on 18 March 2004 at 12:00 noon (CET).

27 February, 2004