Выражение встречается в следующем контексте:In October 2001, the EU adopted the European Company Statute, or “Societas Europea” (SE) , to enable businesses from different EU countries to merge or form joint holding companies or subsidiaries without having to deal with red tape in 25 different legal systems. Companies which adopt the European company statute can therefore operate throughout the EU according to uniform rules and administrative arrangements and a single set of rules on advertising. The statute also includes rules on worker participation.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Company_Statute