The survey will try to identify the type of information companies need when launching cross-border deals and whether they have difficulties in obtaining it.

The biggest problem, however, is that hostile takeovers remain difficult in Europe, especially cross-border deals.

Yet for all that, he noted that the number of cross-border deals in Europe so far this year was at the highest level since 2000.

Indeed, Europe's biggest cross-border deals have been with American companies.

He said the bank was open to acquisitions, though he has played down the prospects for a large cross-border deal in Europe.

Russian officials said they foresaw more cross-border deals, but for different reasons.

For their part, governments are working more closely together and removing many barriers to cross-border deals.

Since their talks began, gossip about somewhat similar cross-border deals has picked up.

And so far, the promise of cross-border deals in Europe has failed to materialize.

The 46 cross-border deals involved in the German total were valued at $3.7 billion.