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According to the report in both Reuters and the Washington Post, Stringer noted that, "We have to work together again as we did two years ago. Or the joint venture will have to find its own solution".

Asked as to whether Sony is planning to put an end to the long-suffering Sony Ericsson partnership, Stringer told Die Welt, "It's certainly been a difficult year but buying out a partner is never an easy thing".

Sony Ericsson whose last quarter profit fell by some 97 per cent also saw its European market, it's biggest, suffer sales falls while the margins for handsets continue to get thinner and thinner.

Stringer said one of the complexities of the business juggling both companies, which are different. "You're always engaged in discussion and negotiation. We and Ericsson are always discussing ways of making Sony Ericsson as successful as it possibly can be", according to the report.