After acquiring 27% of the share capital of ASTRA S.A. at the beginning of June, UNIQA agreed yesterday evening with the majority shareholder of the company, Nova Trade S.A., on an outline agreement which provides for the running of ASTRA as a joint venture for the time being. With this agreement, UNIQA is granted the possibility of becoming medium-term majority shareholder of ASTRA S.A.

Amongst others this outline agreement will become effective following settlement of litigation pending relating to an increase in the share capital of ASTRA S.A. which was decided upon in 2003.

UNIQA CEO Konstantin Klien: "In order to implement long-term plans, a capital majority is always beneficial. I regard collaboration with a strong local partner as a definite advantage, especially when one is entering a new market. We have agreed with Nova Trade on a way which can ensure ASTRA fixed place in the UNIQA Group in the future. We also offer the local team -  as minority shareholder and partner -  the experience, instruments and advantages of the size of the UNIQA Group for our joint development. Thus our involvement is, from the start,  more than just taking a stake in the equity.”