Ballmer Having Breakfast At Neelies

The Associated Press reports that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be swinging by Brussels for a chat over breakfast (waffles?) with the European Union’s antitrust chief, Neelie Kroes, on the morning of October 5th.

After Kroes’ department received more informal complaints about Microsoft’s alleged monopolistic practices, the pair plan to discuss those strained relations. Weather permitting, they’ll enjoy a raucous game of croquet in the back courtyard afterward. All chairs have been removed for security reasons.

In 2004, EU regulators ordered Microsoft to pay nearly $600 million in antitrust fines, to remove Media Player from their Windows software bundle, and to share some its code protocol with competitors in order for them to create better system interoperability. Microsoft is appealing the ruling.

“It is part of the regular dialogue between Microsoft and the Commission on a range of policy issues,” company spokesman Tom Brookes told the AP about the meeting, which Microsoft says lacks a specific agenda.

And if you believe that there’s not a specific agenda, then maybe you’ll believe this.