German Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said Thursday Magna International Inc. (MGA) is actively pursuing its goal to take a stake in General Motors' (GM) German unit Adam Opel GmbH, but it depends on General Motors' view.

The memorandum of understanding between General Motors and Magna is being negotiated, zu Guttenberg said on the sidelines of an event. "Those are the facts we have," he added.

Zu Guttenberg repeated that Germany is keeping a close eye on whether any deal would permit German government funding to be funneled back to the U.S.

Magna has said it aims to wrap up the negotiations by mid-July.

"That is an ambitious goal, but one shouldn't force the matter, because there are lots of difficult details to clear up," zu Guttenberg said.

Further, the German federal government is working closely with the European Commission on the government's support measures for Opel, he said.

By Beate Preuschoff, Dow Jones Newswires, +49 (0)30 - 2888 4122, beate.preuschoff@dowjones.com

(Christoph Rauwald contributed to this report)