The NYSE Group Inc. and Euronext NV say they are open to a merger with other European exchanges.

In response to a press release issued by Deutsche Borse AG on Friday indicating that it has unilaterally decided to notify the European Commission of its intention to acquire Euronext, the exchanges issued a statement of their own calling for a more inclusive European merger.

It notes that Deutsche Borse has rejected the suggestion, accepted by Euronext and NYSE, that there be a merger of cash businesses in Europe following the federal model used by Euronext.

Euronext and the NYSE say they continue to believe, “that a cash equity combination delivers the maximum benefits to investors, issuers and all stakeholders with minimum execution risk. This combination would be advantageous to Europe while leveraging transatlantic synergies.”

Euronext and NYSE also re-confirmed their willingness to begin discussions with Deutsche Borse and Borsa Italiana to create such a consolidated European cash market.

On Friday, the Borsa Italiana signed a letter of intent with Deutsche Borse aimed at forming a federal European exchange including Euronext.