Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said on Monday the company was working constructively with the European Commission as it investigates the software giant for possible anticompetitive practices. The Commission has been investigating Microsoft for abuse of a dominant market position for nearly three years.
"We are working very constructively with the EU and hope we can reach a mutually acceptable resolution," Ballmer told Reuters after a news conference restricted to local reporters only. "It"s an important thing for us," Ballmer said, but declined to predict the resolution. He added: "I oversee the company, but I am not personally in the middle of the negotiations."
Last week, Philip Lowe, the European Commission Competition director general, said there was a dialogue going on with Microsoft and other companies on many issues. Lowe said the Commission still had outstanding concerns about the company"s practices.