1. Without prejudice to the principle of equal treatment of all shareholders who are in the same position, and to Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse) [OJ L 96, 12.4.2003, p. 16.], Member States may permit a company to acquire its own shares, either itself or through a person acting in his own name but on the company’s behalf. To the extent that the acquisitions are permitted, Member States shall make such acquisitions subject to the following conditions:
(a) authorisation shall be given by the general meeting, which shall determine the terms and conditions of such acquisitions, and, in particular, the maximum number of shares to be acquired, the duration of the period for which the authorisation is given, the maximum length of which shall be determined by national law without, however, exceeding five years, and, in the case of acquisition for value, the maximum and minimum