"It's possible that we will extend that partnership (with Yahoo) outside the U.S.," Ballmer said to reporters.  "We will have to wait and see if we can get approval and consummate that partnership inside the U.S. first."

Both sides finally came to agreement sometime in July, with the duo officially signing a 10-year web search partnership.  If approved in the United States, then the deal must pass by European Commission (EC) regulators -- which may prove to be easier said than done.

Microsoft previously attempted to overtake Yahoo during months of bickering and disagreements, with the two sides finally agreeing on a search partnership.  Both companies -- Yahoo with its own search engine, and Microsoft with Bing -- have lost marketshare to Google which controls the majority of internet search.

Microsoft officials expect its search deal with Yahoo to receive approval in early 2010, with the companies planning major pushes in several markets outside the U.S.  Analysts have been unable to agree if the partnership will be able to successfully counter Google's search dominance, though with  millions at stake in advertising and exposure, Microsoft and Yahoo are expected to fight to the death.