Naval Group CEO Discussing with Fincantieri, Open to Other Partners

Naval Group CEO Herve Guillou said on Monday that the company was discussing "intensively" with Italy's Fincantieri over a naval deal but that it was also still open to possible talks with other potential partners.

"We are intensively discussing with Fincantieri but this is not closed to other potential partners," Guillou told a conference call. "We are discussing with Italy today but as you know I have offered possible talks to everybody in Europe. Today only Italy is willing to have very active discussions."

The chief executive of Fincantieri said last week that the military shipbuilding alliance was still being examined but would require time given its complexity.

Reporting by Cyril Altmeyer Writing by Ingrid Melander