Milan, 29 June 2009. In light of Draka Holding N.V. (Draka) press release issued this morning, Prysmian S.p.A. (Prysmian) confirms hereby that, consistently with its growth strategy, it has entered into preliminary discussions with Draka in order to evaluate, also with the assistance of its advisors, a possible combination between the two companies, to be implemented through a share for share cross-border statutory merger with Prysmian as surviving entity. Any such combination would be in the interest of all stakeholders, including the shareholders of both companies, and is likely to be largely based on their respective market capitalisations. The discussions are at a preliminary phase and any proposed transaction will be submitted to the respective boards for approval only if, and when, the main elements of the combination will be sufficiently defined. Furthermore, any proposed transaction would be subject to several conditions, including shareholders