The CEO and Chairman of the Board of Euronext, Stéphane Boujnah welcomed the call by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for deeper and more attractive European capital markets and for greater consolidation in the market infrastructure sector, ultimately benefiting European companies. As he noted, Euronext has been working systematically for 25 years to integrate European capital markets. “Today, more than 1,700 companies are listed on the group’s markets, with a total market capitalization of approximately €6.5 trillion. Companies listed on the markets of Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris already benefit from using a single liquidity pool and a common technology platform,” said the CEO and Chairman of Euronext’s Board.
It should be noted that Merz proposes creating a single pan-European stock exchange, aiming to give European companies more direct and efficient access to capital and enable them to compete with companies from the US and Asia. Speaking to the German parliament, Merz emphasized that Europe needs a “broad and deep capital market,” as the fragmented stock market landscape of the EU constitutes an obstacle to development and innovation.
Full statement by Stéphane Boujnah:
“I welcome Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s call for deeper and more attractive European capital markets, as well as for further consolidation in the market infrastructure sector, which will ultimately benefit European businesses.
For 25 years, Euronext has been integrating European capital markets. Today, more than 1,700 companies are listed on Euronext, with a total market value of approximately 6.5 trillion euros. Companies listed in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris all benefit from our unique liquidity pool and technology platform. If Euronext’s exchange offer to acquire all shares of the Athens Stock Exchange is successful, then companies listed in Greece will also benefit from Euronext’s integrated model.
Euronext has always been guided by the deep conviction that in Europe it is always possible to succeed together, rather than fail separately. Euronext is ready to contribute to the next stage of market consolidation in Europe, in order to create a deeper liquidity pool for financing the growth of European businesses.
At the same time, it is urgent to address another key obstacle to the Savings and Investment Union: divergence in regulation and supervision. Therefore, we need a decisive move towards unified supervision within the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)”.
Euronext paved the way for Athens Stock Exchange integration: public offer launch
It should be recalled that Euronext announced on October 6 the launch of the voluntary public share exchange offer for the acquisition of all shares of ATHEX (Athens Stock Exchange). With the required regulatory approvals already secured, the Acceptance Period began on October 6, 2025, and will be completed on November 17, 2025. This move marked a pivotal step towards integrating the Greek capital market into a broader European ecosystem, strengthening Athens’ position as a financial center in Southeast Europe.
“Euronext, a leading European stock market infrastructure management group, announces that all required regulatory approvals have been received for the launch of the voluntary share exchange offer (the “Public Offer”) for the acquisition of all ordinary registered shares of HELLENIC EXCHANGES – ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE HOLDING COMPANY S.A. (“ATHEX”). In accordance with Law 3461/2006 (the “Law”), Euronext announces the launch of its Public share exchange Offer for the acquisition of all ordinary registered Shares of ATHEX, in exchange for newly issued ordinary shares of Euronext (“Exchange Shares”) with an exchange ratio of one (1) Exchange Share for twenty (20) ATHEX shares”, Euronext noted in its announcement.
