31.—(1) The special negotiating body may decide, by a majority vote of two thirds of its members, representing at least two thirds of the employees of the merging companies, including the votes of members representing employees in at least two different EEA States, not to open negotiations pursuant to regulation 28 (negotiations to reach an employee participation agreement) or to terminate negotiations already opened.
(2) Following any decision made under paragraph (1), the duty of the parties set out in regulation 28 to negotiate with a view to establishing an employee participation agreement shall cease as from the date of the decision.