⁍ Veolia last month offered to pay Engie 2.9 billion euros for a 29.9% stake in Suez.

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⁍ Veolia’s offer remains valid until Sept. 30.

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⁍ The French state holds a 23.6% stake in Engie.

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– French utility Veolia has until the end of the month to decide whether to accept or reject an offer from rival Suez to buy its rival’s stake, and a source close to France’s finance minister tells Reuters that the government is still trying to find a middle ground. Veolia last month offered to pay energy group Engie $3.37 billion for a 29.9% stake in Suez, with a view to subsequently taking full control of its rival by buying up more shares, a move Suez views as hostile. Veolia’s offer remains valid until Sept. 30. “There have been multiple conversations … The goal remains to find a middle ground and to end the conflict,” the source says. The French state holds a 23.6% stake in Engie and has tried to ease tensions. Engie, which owns almost 32% of Suez, rejected Veolia’s initial advance but has said it would consider a higher offer.