Samas And Euronext Resolve Dispute On Protective Preference Shares

Samas Groep N.V. and Euronext Amsterdam N.V. have announced that it has been agreed that Stichting Samas will limit its voting rights in the protective preference shares placed with it to 50% of the other share capital that has already been issued. Samas will also submit a proposal for a share capital reduction to the next general meeting of shareholders, which should ultimately result in the voting rights in the preference shares held by Stichting Samas amounting to no more than 50% of the other outstanding shares.

Although it has not altered its original position, Samas wishes to avoid the unnecessary difficulties of a dispute with the exchange during the merger process in which Samas is currently involved, and therefore a solution has been sought. Euronext believes that this agreement will lead immediately to a situation which is essentially in line with the provisions of Appendix X to the Listing and Issuing Rules (Fondsenreglement). The exchange's previously announced request for advice to the Listing and Issuing Rules Advisory Committee in connection with an alleged violation of Appendix X has therefore been withdrawn as of today (December 8, 2000).