Brussels, 20/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the Commission published a call for evidence regarding the functioning in EU Member States of private placement regimes, under which securities can be sold privately to a limited number of eligible investors. The Commission White Paper on investment funds identified the absence of a common approach to private placement as a possible stumbling block to mutually beneficial transactions between financial professionals. The call for evidence requests input on three issues. First, it seeks quantitative or qualitative material to determine whether the absence of a common approach to private placement constitutes a material impediment to cross-border financial investments. Second, it invites comments on the appropriate parameters of a possible private placement regime - in terms of the boundary between public and private offer, eligible participants, and enforcement issues. Third, it opens discussion on whether and how a private placement regime could be established at European level by the end of 2007. Interested parties have until 30 June 2007 to make their submissions. A first discussion on these issues will be held on the occasion of the UCITS open hearing on 26 April 2007. For further information: http: //ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/ucits/index_en.htm (ol)