Expectations were high when the European Commission started negotiating the statute for a European Company in the early 1970s of the last century.~①The ambitious goals of these early days are still reflected in the recitals of the European Regulation,finally adopted in 2001:the Regulation will permit the creation and management of companies with a European dimension,free from the obstacles arising from the disparity and the limited territorial application of national company law.~②The legal Expectations were high when the European Commission started negotiating the statute for a European Company in the early 1970s of the last century. ~ ①The ambitious goals of these early days are still reflected in the recitals of the European Regulation, finally adopted in 2001: the Regulation will permit the creation and management of companies with a European dimension, free from the obstacles arising from the disparity and the limited territorial application of national company law. ~ ②The legal