Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. (Coca-Cola HBC, CCHBC) announced today that it has agreed to acquire, jointly with The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), 100% of the Traficante Group, a producer of a high quality mineral water in Italy with significant water reserves. The acquisition includes two production facilities in the south, as well as the national mineral water brand "Lilia" and "Lilia Kiss" (still and sparkling). The total net consideration for the transaction is EUR35 million (including debt but excluding acquisition costs). The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of 2006. Commenting, Doros Constantinou, Managing Director of CCHBC said, "Through today's acquisition of Traficante, we have gained a very important foothold in Europe's largest packaged water market. Given the significant expansion in cold drink availability and sales force that has been built in Italy over the past years and the recent success of our route to market initiatives, we are well positioned to commercially develop the strong assets and excellent quality mineral water of Traficante. Furthermore, this transaction is consistent with our strategy to expand our non-CSD offering". Commenting Aurelia Traficante, Managing Director of the Traficante Group said: "I am extremely satisfied that my company, whose foundation, strength, and growth have been built through the hard work of five generations of my family, now becomes part of a large international group such as Coca-Cola HBC and The Coca-Cola Company. This is a guarantee that our water brands will continue to grow and develop all over the country". Coca-Cola HBC is one of the world's largest bottlers of products of The Coca-Cola Company and has operations in 26 countries serving a population of more than 540 million people. CCHBC shares are listed on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX: EEEK), with secondary listings on the London (LSE: CCB) and Australian (ASX: CHB) Stock Exchanges. CCHBC's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CCH).