Arcelor

"“The grammar of business is no be respected.” — French Finance Minister Thierry Breton, expressing “profound concerns” about the unsolicited offer and its lack of advance warning."

"“I'd like to present to you my fellow managers — my son isn’t one of them.” - Arcelor chief executive Guy Dolle, opening a news conference by mocking the presence of Indian-born Mittal’s son as his company’s finance director."

"“There are two types of steel: high-end and commoditised. There are those who specialise in a sort of perfume like Arcelor and others like Mittal who produce Eau de Cologne.” — Dolle."

"“We are not at war here, we are creating value for shareholders.” — Lakshmi Mittal at a news conference."

"“I am determined, as is the Government, to do everything to preserve everything that we have worked for and that we believe in … by using all necessary means to fend off the hostile (bid).” — Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker."

"“I wish to state strongly that protectionist impulses have no place in modern economic governance.” — Breton in Financial Times, rejecting claims that France’s “economic patriotism” policy is unfair to Indian and other foreign firms."

"“What do you want out of this economic patriotism? A strong European company, a strong European champion. This is the merger of two European companies: no job cuts, better future, better product, more investment.” — Mittal in European Voice."

"“The concerns (about the Mittal offer) that have been expressed are entirely legitimate. I don’t understand what the fuss is about.” — French President Jacques Chirac in India."

"“I cannot perceive why there must be hostile takeovers within the EU.” — Jean-Claude Juncker in FT Deutschland."

"“We have been courting for a long time. Now it is time to be engaged to be married.” — Dolle, announcing a tie-up with Russia’s Severstal to thwart Mittal offer."

"“Arcelor’s shareholders are being forced to hand over control of their company, whilst being denied a premium.” — Mittal spokesman on the Arcelor-Severstal deal."

"“At the end, it was decided unanimously by the Arcelor board (to) recommend the new offer of Mittal Steel. We concluded that Mittal Steel’s was a better offer than that of Severstal.” — Arcelor chairman Joseph Kinsch, after Arcelor accepts sharply higher Mittal bid. — Reuters"