The ongoing negotiations over a possible merger of Britain's BAE Systems and the joint Franco-German European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) failed to reach any definite decision, Germany's Defense Minister said here on Thursday.

Thomas De Maiziere said the defense ministers of the three countries met in private Wednesday night on the sidelines of an informal Council of EU Defense Ministers held in Nicosia.

"We had constructive discussions yesterday night and this is a complex situation. There are a lot of questions and conditions. Nothing has been decided yet," he said.

Britain's BAE systems and the Franco-German venture have been in negotiations for a possible merger that would rival the current No.1 establishment of Boeing.

De Maiziere said the ministers of defense of the three countries are responsible for what he called "one very difficult and important aspect of the talks," but there are still other aspects related to private shareholders.

EADS is owned by the French and German governments alongside institutional shareholders.

Asked whether he felt optimistic about reaching an agreement before an Oct. 10 deadline, the German minister said more time may be needed, depending "on the answers to our questions."

"We'll keep in contact ... and there is time until mid-October perhaps. It needs more time. So we will be in close contact," de Maiziere said.

When asked to comment on press reports that BAE shareholders would get 40 percent of the shares in the new company and EADS the remaining 60 percent, De Maiziere said "this is not on my table."

In a statement to the London Stock Exchange earlier this month, BAE Systems noted that the two companies are in discussions about a possible combination of the businesses that would create a world leading international aerospace, defense and security group, with substantial centers of manufacturing and technology excellence in Britain, the United States, France, Germany and Spain as well as in Australia, India and Saudi Arabia.

Any agreement on the terms of a potential combination will require approval by the Boards of both BAE Systems and EADS, and would be subject to a number of governmental, regulatory and shareholder approvals.