"The questions that are being discussed right now are first of all decisions for companies. It's all speculation what a possible merger could look like, so it's hard to judge how it should be seen in terms of cartel issues," an economy ministry spokesman said.

Siemens is mulling a formal offer for the energy business of French rival Alstom (>> ALSTOM), which is already the target of a bid from U.S. giant General Electric (>> General Electric Company).

Its Chief Executive Joe Kaeser has discussed a possible bid with Chancellor Angela Merkel but a government spokeswoman declined to comment on the "length and content" of the conversation.

(Reporting by Annika Breidthardt and Madeline Chambers)

Stocks treated in this article : ALSTOM, General Electric Company, Siemens AG
Valeurs citées dans l'article : ALSTOM, General Electric Company, Siemens AG, SIEMENS