UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SCHEDULE 14A

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(AMENDMENT NO.                )

Filed by the Registrant		þ
Filed by a party other than the Registrant		o

Check the appropriate box:

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

		MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

TO:     The Shareholders of Mercer International Inc.

     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2005 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Mercer International Inc. (the “Company”) is to be held on June 14, 2005 at the Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) for the following purposes:

     The board of trustees has fixed the close of business on April 28, 2005 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting or any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof.

     A proxy statement dated April 28, 2005, a proxy card and our annual report for 2004 accompany this Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

April 28, 2005

WE URGE YOU TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE THE PROXY CARD THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. THIS WILL ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. A PROXY MAY BE REVOKED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT.

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

     This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the management of Mercer International Inc. (“Mercer” or the “Company”) of proxies for use at the annual general meeting of our shareholders (“Shareholders”) to be held at the Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time), on June 14, 2005, or any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof (the “Meeting”). If a proxy in the accompanying form (a “Proxy”) is properly executed and received by us prior to the Meeting or any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof, our shares of beneficial interest, $1.00 par value (the “Shares”) represented by such Proxy will be voted in the manner directed. In the absence of voting instructions, the Shares will be voted for the proposals set out in the accompanying Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. Please see the Proxy for voting instructions.

     A Proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its use by filing a written Notice of Revocation of Proxy or a later dated Proxy with the Company’s Registrar and Transfer Agent, Mellon Investor Services LLC, at P.O. Box 3315, South Hackensack, NJ 07606. A Proxy may also be revoked by attending the Meeting and voting Shares in person. Attendance at the Meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute revocation of a Proxy.

     The holders of one-third of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting, present in person or represented by Proxy, constitutes a quorum for the Meeting. Under applicable Washington state law, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for the purposes of establishing a quorum for the Meeting.

     Proxies for the Meeting will be solicited by the Company primarily by mail. Proxies may also be solicited personally by our trustees, officers or regular employees without additional compensation. We may reimburse banks, broker-dealers or other nominees for their reasonable expenses in forwarding the proxy materials for the Meeting to beneficial owners of Shares. The costs of this solicitation will be borne by the Company.

     This proxy statement and accompanying Proxy and our annual report for 2004 will be mailed to Shareholders commencing on or about May 23, 2005. The close of business on April 28, 2005 has been fixed as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

2

3

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     There were 33,053,455 Shares issued and outstanding on the Record Date. Each Share is entitled to one vote at the Meeting.

     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Shares as of April 28, 2005 by each Shareholder known by us to own more than five percent of our outstanding Shares. The following is based solely upon statements made in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or other information we believe to be reliable.

4

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

     Pursuant to resolutions passed by our board of trustees (the “Board”) in accordance with our Declaration of Trust, as amended, the current number of trustees of the Company is six. Two persons are nominated for election as trustees at the Meeting. Trustees will be elected by the majority of votes cast at the Meeting, in person or by Proxy, for the nominees. Under our Declaration of Trust, as amended, cumulative voting in the election of trustees is not permitted.

     The Board is divided into three classes. Each class of trustees is elected for a three-year term. Jimmy S.H. Lee has been a trustee since May 1985 and is a member of Class II to be elected to the Board to serve until the annual meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2008, or until his successor is elected and qualified. William D. McCartney has been a trustee since January 2003 and is also a member of Class II to be elected to the Board to serve until the annual meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2008, or until his successor is elected and qualified. Messrs. Lee and McCartney have each indicated that they are willing and able to serve as trustees. If for any unforeseen reason any of the nominees declines or is unable to serve, Proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as shall be designated by the trustees. Proxies received which do not specify a choice for the election of the nominees will be voted FOR each of the nominees. OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NOMINEE.

     The Board has determined that each of our trustees and nominee trustees, other than our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lee, is independent under applicable laws and regulations and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market.

     The following table sets forth the name, position with us and expiration of the term as a trustee of each nominee trustee and each trustee whose term of office will continue after the Meeting:

     The following provides certain background information about each nominee trustee, each of our trustees whose term of office will continue after the Meeting and our executive officers:

     Jimmy S.H. Lee, age 48, has been a trustee since May 1985 and President and Chief Executive Officer since 1992. Previously, Mr. Lee served with MFC Bancorp Ltd. as a director from 1986, Chairman from 1987 and President from 1988 to December 1996, respectively. During Mr. Lee’s tenure with the Company, the Company acquired the Rosenthal mill, converted the Rosenthal mill to the production of kraft pulp, constructed and started up the Stendal mill and acquired the Celgar mill.

     William D. McCartney, age 49, has been a trustee since January 2003. Mr. McCartney has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Pemcorp Management Inc., a management services company, since 1990. Mr. McCartney is a director of Southwestern Resources Corp., where he has served since March 2004. Mr. McCartney is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Canada.

5

     Kenneth A. Shields, age 56, has been a trustee since August 2003. Mr. Shields was a founder of the institutional firm of Goepel Shields & Partners Inc., where he held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. In April of 1998, the firm merged with McDermid St. Lawrence Securities Ltd. to become the investment firm of Goepel McDermid Inc. which was subsequently acquired, in January of 2001, by Florida-based Raymond James Financial, Inc. Mr. Shields currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Raymond James Financial, Inc. and serves as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of the Canadian subsidiary, Raymond James Ltd. Mr. Shields is also a director of TimberWest Forest Corp. and a Director of the Council for Business and the Arts in Canada. Additionally, Mr. Shields has served as past Chairman of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and Pacifica Papers Inc., and is a former director of each of Slocan Forest Products Ltd. and the Investment Dealers Association of Canada.

     Guy W. Adams, age 54, has been a trustee since August 2003. Mr. Adams is the managing member of GWA Advisors, LLC, GWA Investments, LLC and GWA Capital Partners, LLC, where he has served since 2002, and is the managing member of GWA Master Fund, LP since October 2004. GWA Advisors, LLC is a private equity investment firm and a holding company for Mr. Adams’ private equity investments. GWA Investments, LLC is an investment fund investing in publicly traded securities managed by GWA Capital Partners, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Prior to 2002, Mr. Adams was the President of GWA Capital, which he founded in 1996 to invest his own capital in public and private equity transactions, and a business consultant to entities seeking refinancing or recapitalization. Mr. Adams was nominated for election as a trustee at the 2003 annual meeting pursuant to a settlement agreement entered into between the Company and Greenlight Capital, Inc. and Greenlight Capital, LLC.

     Eric Lauritzen, age 67, has been a trustee since June 2004. Mr. Lauritzen was President and Chief Executive Officer of Harmac Pacific, Inc., a North American producer of softwood kraft pulp previously listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and acquired by Pope & Talbot Inc. in 1998, from May 1994 to July 1998, when he retired. Mr. Lauritzen was Vice President, Pulp and Paper Marketing of MacMillan Bloedel Limited, a North American pulp and paper company previously listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and acquired by Weyerhaeuser Company Limited in 1999, from July 1981 to April 1994.

     Graeme A. Witts, age 66, has been a trustee since January 2003. Mr. Witts organized Sanne Trust Company Limited, a trust company located in the Channel Islands, in 1988 and was managing director from 1988 to 2000, when he retired. Mr. Witts is also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

     David M. Gandossi, age 47, has been Secretary, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer since August 2003. Mr. Gandossi was formerly the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President of Formation Forest Products (a closely held corporation) from June 2002 to August 2003. Mr. Gandossi previously served as Chief Financial Officer, Vice-President, Finance and Secretary of Pacifica Papers Inc., a North American specialty pulp and paper manufacturing company previously listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, from December 1999 to August 2001 and Controller and Treasurer from June 1998 to December 1999. From June 1998 to August 31, 1998, he also served as Secretary to Pacifica Papers Inc. From March 1998 to June 1998, Mr. Gandossi served as Controller, Treasurer and Secretary of MB Paper Ltd. From April 1994 to March 1998, Mr. Gandossi held the position of Controller and Treasurer with Harmac Pacific Inc., a Canadian pulp manufacturing company previously listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Gandossi is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Canada.

     Wolfram Ridder, age 43, was appointed a managing director in July 2002 of our 63.6% owned subsidiary, Stendal, that completed construction of the Stendal mill, a new state-of-the-art NBSK pulp mill near the town of Stendal, Germany, in mid-September 2004. Mr. Ridder was the principal assistant to our Chief Executive Officer from November 1995 until September 2002. Mr. Ridder has also been a Vice-President of pulp operations since August 1999.

     Leonhard Nossol, age 47, was appointed our Group Controller for Europe in 2004. He has also been a managing director of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Rosenthal, that owns and operates the Rosenthal NBSK pulp mill, since 1997. Mr. Nossol had a significant involvement in the conversion of the Rosenthal mill to the production of kraft pulp in 1999 and the related increase in the mill’s annual production capacity to 280,000 air dried metric tonnes (“ADMTs”), and subsequently to 310,000 ADMTs, as well as the reduction in production costs at the mill. Mr. Nossol

6

has headed the business administration unit of the Association of German Pulp and Paper Makers since October 2003 and has been a member of the national tax committee of the National Industry Association, representing the German pulp and paper industry in tax matters, since August 2003.

     Ulf Johannson, age 56, was appointed a managing director of Stendal in July 2003. From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Johannson was a director of Södra Cell AB, a large Swedish forestry company, and Resident Manager of the company’s Monsteras mill. He was responsible for all large expansion projects of Södra Cell, including with respect to the increase in the annual production capacity at the Monsteras mill from approximately 300,000 ADMTs to approximately 750,000 ADMTs.

     The terms of Mr. Shields and Mr. Adams as trustees expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2006. The terms of Mr. Lauritzen and Mr. Witts as trustees expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2007.

Trustees Meetings

     The Board met 12 times during 2004 and each current member of the Board attended 75% or more of the total number of such meetings and meetings of the committees of the Board on which they serve, including Mr. Lauritzen subsequent to his election to the Board in June 2004. Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to attendance of trustees at our annual meetings, all trustees are encouraged and expected to attend such meetings if possible. Six trustees attended our 2004 annual meeting.

Executive Sessions

     Executive sessions of non-management trustees without management present are held regularly, generally before Board meetings, to review, among other things, the criteria upon which the performance of senior officers is based, the Company’s governance practices, the reports of our independent registered chartered accountants and any other relevant matters. The Lead Trustee, with input from other trustees, develops the agenda for and presides over these meetings. Meetings are also held formally and informally from time to time with the Chief Executive Officer for a general discussion of relevant subjects.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

     Our Board has developed corporate governance guidelines in respect of: (i) the duties and responsibilities of the Board, its committees and the officers of the Company; and (ii) practices with respect to the holding of regular quarterly and strategic meetings of the Board including separate meetings of non-management trustees. Our Board has established three standing committees, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee.

Audit Committee

     The Audit Committee functions pursuant to a charter adopted by the trustees. A copy of the current charter is attached as Appendix “A’’ to this proxy statement. The function of the Audit Committee generally is to meet with and review the results of the audit of our financial statements performed by the independent public accountants and to recommend the selection of independent public accountants. The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. McCartney, Mr. Witts and Mr. Lauritzen, each of whom is independent under applicable laws and regulations and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market. Both Mr. McCartney and Mr. Witts are chartered accountants and Mr. McCartney is a “financial expert’’ within the meaning of such term under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit Committee met five times during 2004.

     The Audit Committee has established procedures for: (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters; and (ii) the confidential and anonymous submission by the Company’s employees and others of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. A person wishing to notify the Company of such a complaint or concern should send a

7

written notice thereof, marked “Private & Confidential’’, to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Mercer International Inc., c/o Suite 2840, 650 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4N8, Canada.

Compensation Committee

     The Board has established a Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the strategy and design of the Company’s compensation, equity-based and benefits programs. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for approving all compensation actions relating to executive officers. The members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Shields, Mr. McCartney and Mr. Adams, each of whom is independent under applicable laws and regulations and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market. The Compensation Committee met six times during 2004.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     No person who served as a member of our Compensation Committee during the most recently completed fiscal year was one of our officers or employees, or has formerly been one of our officers.

Governance and Nominating Committee

     Our Board has established a Governance and Nominating Committee comprised of Mr. Shields, Mr. McCartney and Mr. Witts, each of whom is independent under applicable laws and regulations and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market. The Governance and Nominating Committee functions pursuant to a charter adopted by the trustees, a copy of which is attached as Appendix “B’’ to the definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to our annual meeting of shareholders held in June 2004. The purpose of the committee is to: (i) manage the corporate governance system of the Board; (ii) assist the Board in fulfilling its duties to meet applicable legal and regulatory and self-regulatory business principles and codes of best practice; (iii) assist in the creation of a corporate culture and environment of integrity and accountability; (iv) in conjunction with the Lead Trustee, monitor the quality of the relationship between the Board and management; (v) review management succession plans; (vi) recommend to the Board nominees for appointment to the Board; (vii) lead the Board’s annual review of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance; and (viii) set the Board’s forward meeting agenda. The Governance and Nominating Committee met three times in 2004.

Consideration of Nominees

     The Board is responsible for approving candidates for Board membership. The Board has delegated the screening and recruitment process to the Governance and Nominating Committee in consultation with our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Governance and Nominating Committee will recommend to the Board a nominee to fill a vacancy on the Board and will also annually evaluate and recommend to the Board nominees for election as trustees at annual meetings of Shareholders.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee believes that certain criteria should be met by trustee nominees to ensure effective corporate governance, support the Company’s strategies and businesses, account for individual trustee attributes and the effect of the overall mix of those attributes on the Board’s effectiveness, and support the successful recruitment of qualified candidates for the Board. Qualified candidates are those who, in the judgment of the Governance and Nominating Committee, possess certain personal attributes and a sufficient mix of experience and related attributes to assure effective service on the Board. The personal attributes of trustee nominees that the Governance and Nominating Committee considers include leadership, judgment, integrity, independence and high personal and professional ethics. Nominees considered by the Governance and Nominating Committee are those that also possess a mix of experience and related attributes, including general business experience, industry knowledge, financial acumen, special business experience and expertise.

     The Governance and Nominating Committee may seek recommendations or receive recommendations for Board candidates from various sources, including the Company’s trustees, management and Shareholders. The committee may also engage a professional search firm. Mr. Lauritzen, a nominee for election to the Board at the

8

meeting held in 2004, was recommended by our Lead Trustee, who is an independent trustee under applicable laws and regulations and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market.

Nominees Recommended by Shareholders

     The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by Shareholders as candidates for Board membership. A Shareholder wishing to nominate a candidate for Board membership should provide written notice to the Secretary of the Company as described below. To nominate a candidate for election to the Board at an annual meeting, the notice must be received not less than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date of the Company’s proxy statement released to Shareholders in connection with the annual meeting held in the prior year. The notice should contain information about both the nominee and the Shareholder making the nomination, including such information regarding each nominee required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to Commission rules and regulations and such other information sufficient to allow the Governance and Nominating Committee to determine if the candidate meets the criteria for Board membership described above. The committee may require that the proposed nominee furnish additional information to determine that person’s eligibility to serve as a trustee.

Shareholder Communications with Board

     Shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board (other than with respect to a complaint or concern regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters which must be directed to the Audit Committee as described above) should send written correspondence to the Board in the care of the Secretary, Mercer International Inc., c/o Suite 2840, 650 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4N8, Canada. The correspondence should indicate that the person sending the correspondence is a Shareholder and set out the purpose of such communication. The Secretary will (i) forward the correspondence to the trustee to whom it is addressed or, in the case of correspondence addressed to the Board generally, to the Lead Trustee, (ii) attempt to handle the inquiry directly where it is a request for information about the Company, or (iii) not forward the correspondence if it is primarily commercial in nature or if it relates to an improper topic. All such correspondence will be summarized for the Board periodically and each such correspondence will be made available to any trustee upon request.

Lead Trustee

     Our Board appointed Mr. Shields as its Lead Trustee in September 2003. The role of the Lead Trustee is to provide leadership to the non-management trustees on the Board and to ensure that the Board can operate independently of management and that trustees have an independent leadership contact. The duties of the Lead Trustee include, among other things: (i) ensuring that the Board has adequate resources to support its decision-making process and ensuring that the Board is appropriately approving strategy and supervising management’s progress against that strategy; (ii) ensuring that the independent trustees have adequate opportunity to meet to discuss issues without management being present; (iii) chairing meetings of trustees in the absence of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; (iv) ensuring that delegated committee functions are carried out and reported to the Board; and (v) communicating to management, as appropriate, the results of private discussions among outside trustees and acting as a liaison between the Board and the Chief Executive Officer.

9

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board, however, management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls.

     In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the Company’s independent registered chartered accountants regarding the fair and complete presentation of the Company’s results and the assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has discussed significant accounting policies applied by the Company in its financial statements, as well as alternative treatments. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered chartered accountants. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered chartered accountants matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication With Audit Committees).

     In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered chartered accountants the auditor’s independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions With Audit Committees). The Audit Committee also has considered whether the independent registered chartered accountants’ provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the Company’s independent registered chartered accountants are independent from the Company and its management.

     The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered chartered accountants the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee met with the independent registered chartered accountants, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, the evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

     In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, for filing with the Commission. The Audit Committee has selected, and the Board has ratified, subject to shareholder ratification, the selection of the Company’s independent registered chartered accountants.

William D. McCartney, Chairman
Graeme A. Witts
Eric Lauritzen

     The Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the report by reference therein.

10

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     The following table sets forth information regarding the ownership of our Shares as of April 28, 2005 by: (i) each of our trustees, nominee trustees and executive officers; and (ii) all of our trustees, nominee trustees and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the Shares set forth opposite his name. Each person has indicated that he will vote all Shares owned by him in favor of each of the proposals to be considered at the Meeting.

11

     The following table sets forth information as at December 31, 2004 regarding: (i) our 1992 amended and restated stock option plan (the “1992 Amended Option Plan”) under which options to acquire an aggregate of 3,600,000 of our Shares may be granted; and (ii) our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan pursuant to which 1,000,000 of our Shares may be issued pursuant to options, stock appreciation rights and restricted Shares:

12

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     MFC Bancorp Ltd. (“MFC”) was an approximately 92% owned subsidiary until June 1996, when Mercer spun-off approximately 83% of its issued shares to the Company’s shareholders by way of a special dividend-in-kind. MFC is primarily engaged in merchant banking and financial services including through a wholly owned licensed Swiss bank. Although the Company does not consider MFC currently to be a “related party”, because of the historical relationship, Mercer has summarized its current business relationships with MFC.

     In October 2003, Mercer fully repaid to MFC a bridge loan in the principal amount of €30 million plus accrued interest and fees incurred as part of the initial financing for the Stendal mill. In December 2003 and early 2004, Mercer repaid its other indebtedness to MFC in the amount of €8.6 million principally from the proceeds of the sale of a majority of the MFC shares held by Mercer. This share sale was approved by a special committee of Mercer’s trustees and Mercer’s Board, with Mr. Lee abstaining. Subsequently, in 2004, Mercer sold its remaining shares of MFC.

     Mr. Lee, Mercer’s Chairman, chief executive officer and a trustee was formerly a non-executive director of the Swiss banking affiliate of MFC until he resigned from such position in April 2004.

     Mercer has in the course of our business entered into transactions and other arrangements with MFC and its affiliates. From time to time, the Company’s German pulp mills sell pulp to a commodities trading subsidiary of MFC, both for its own account and as an agent for sales to certain parts of eastern Europe. All such transactions are conducted on market terms on an arm’s length basis. As at December 31, 2004, Mercer had trade receivables for pulp sales of approximately €2.7 million from MFC affiliates, which are expected to be collected in the ordinary course.

     The Company owns an indirect 39% interest in a limited partnership that owns 80% of a specialty paper mill in Landqart, Switzerland. The other limited partner is MFC. The general partner is wholly-owned by Cade Struktur Corporation, a company in which Mercer owns an approximate 26% interest and MFC owns a 25% interest. An affiliate of MFC previously arranged receivables financing for Landqart, which arrangements were terminated by Landqart in the first half of 2004.

     In 2004, MFC acquired an indirect majority interest in AIG Altmark-Industrie AG (subsequently renamed MFC Industrial Holdings AG), a German industrial real estate holding company, which is an indirect 7% shareholder of Stendal. Stendal (our 63.6% subsidiary) informally utilized furnished office space and receptionist services from an MFC affiliate in Berlin at a cost of approximately €80,000 per quarter. The arrangement was terminated by Stendal in 2005.

     As at December 31, 2004, the Company had a loan outstanding in the approximate principal amount of €1.5 million plus accrued interest and owned shares of a venture company which is an affiliate of both Mercer and MFC. This is a legacy investment which the Company has held since prior to the “spin-off” of MFC in 1996. In April 2005, the venture company proposed to place itself into liquidation.

     A director of MFC is indebted to a subsidiary of Mercer in the approximate principal amount of €245,000.

     Mercer previously utilized administrative services from a private company that also provided similar services to MFC related companies at a cost of C$125,000 per quarter. The Company terminated using such administrative services at the end of the second quarter of 2004.

     Mercer’s Board has developed corporate governance guidelines which, among other things, provides that its audit committee or other special committee of trustees review and approve transactions with related and affiliated parties, including those with MFC. Mercer’s Board is comprised of six trustees, only one of which (the Chief Executive Officer) is part of management. There are no cross-directorships or officerships between Mercer (and its subsidiaries) and MFC (and its subsidiaries).

13

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

     The following table sets forth information regarding the annual compensation for each of the last three fiscal years paid to our Chief Executive Officer and those executive officers that earned in excess of $100,000 during the most recently completed fiscal year (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”):

14

Stock Options

     None of our Named Executive Officers were granted options to purchase our Shares during 2004. The table below provides information regarding the exercise of options during 2004 by our Named Executive Officers and information with respect to unexercised options held by them at December 31, 2004:

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and
Fiscal Year-End Option Values

Compensation of Trustees

     Our trustees, other than our Lead Trustee, receive $20,000 annually for their services plus $1,000 for each meeting of trustees that they attend in person or $500 for each such meeting that they attend by teleconference. Our Lead Trustee, Mr. Shields, receives $55,000 annually for his services but is not compensated for attending meetings of trustees. We also reimburse our trustees and officers for expenses incurred in connection with their duties as our trustees and officers. The Chairman of each of the Compensation Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee (other than if the Lead Trustee is the Chairman) receives $5,000 annually and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives $15,000 annually for their services in that regard.

     In addition, under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, immediately after each annual meeting of Shareholders subsequent to the annual meeting held in June 2004, each of our non-employee trustees who is not elected to the Board for the first time at such annual meeting and who will continue to serve as a member of the Board after the meeting, receive 2,500 restricted shares for their services, provided that each such trustee has served on the Board for at least six months. Pursuant to our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, each of Mr. McCartney, Mr. Witts and Mr. Adams received 5,000 restricted shares in June 2004 for their services, which vest in June 2005, and Mr. Shields received 25,000 restricted shares in January 2004 for his services which vest in three equal instalments in January 2004, November 2004 and November 2005.

Indemnity Agreements

     We have entered into a Trustee’s Indemnity Agreement with each of our trustees. We have agreed under each of these agreements to indemnify each of our trustees against any and all claims and costs that are or may be brought

15

against him as a result of his being one of our trustees, officers or employees or that of a company related to us. However, under the agreements, we are not obligated to indemnify a trustee against any claims or costs in certain instances, including if it is determined that the trustee failed to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests, if the trustee failed to disclose his interest or conflicts as required under corporate legislation in Washington state or we are not permitted to indemnify the trustee under such legislation, or if the trustee has violated any insider trading rules under United States federal and state securities laws.

     If there is a change in control (as defined in the agreement) of the Company other than a change in control which has been approved by a majority of our trustees, we are required to seek legal advice as to whether and to what extent a trustee would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. In addition, the agreements allow us to defend any claim made against a trustee.

Employment Agreements

     Mr. Lee is a party to an amended and restated employment agreement dated April 28, 2004 with us. The following summary of the agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to our Form 8-K dated and filed with the Commission on April 28, 2004. The agreement provides for a base salary of €325,000 annually, housing and other perquisites not to exceed in aggregate €75,000 annually and other compensation as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee as applicable. The agreement continues in effect until Mr. Lee’s employment with us is terminated. Mr. Lee may terminate his employment with us at any time for good reason within 180 days after the occurrence of any good reason event. In addition, we may terminate Mr. Lee’s employment with cause. If Mr. Lee is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, he shall be entitled to a severance payment equal to three times the sum of his then annual salary plus the higher of (i) his current annual bonus and (ii) the highest variable pay and incentive bonus received during the three years last ending prior to his termination. This amount is payable in substantially equal installments over a twelve-month period, unless (i) a change of control occurs following such termination, in which case the unpaid portion of such severance amount is payable in full in a lump sum cash payment immediately following such change of control, or (ii) if such termination occurs in contemplation of, at the time of, or within three years after a change of control, this amount is payable in a lump sum cash payment immediately following such termination. In addition, all unvested rights in any stock options and any other equity awards will vest in full and become immediately exercisable. Mr. Lee will also be entitled to any accrued benefits. If Mr. Lee’s employment with us is terminated for cause, he is not entitled to any additional payments or benefits under the agreement, other than accrued benefits (including, but not limited to, any then vested stock options and other equity grants) and a prorated bonus, which is payable immediately upon such termination.

     Mr. Gandossi is a party to an employment agreement dated effective August 15, 2003 with us. The following summary of the agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to our Form 8-K dated and filed with the Commission on August 11, 2003. The agreement generally provides, subject to certain termination provisions, for the continued employment of Mr. Gandossi as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice-President and Secretary for a period of 36 months, with an automatic 12-month renewal if the Company does not provide written notice of its intention not to renew the agreement at least 12 months before the original term expires. Thereafter the agreement provides for successive 12 month renewals unless the Company provides written notice of its intention not to renew 360 days in advance of the expiry of the then term thereof. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of CDN$320,000 and a one-time signing bonus of CDN$75,000, the use of a vehicle and participation in our bonus program. The agreement contains change in control provisions pursuant to which, if in connection with or within eighteen months of a change in control, Mr. Gandossi voluntarily terminates his employment for good reason or is involuntarily discharged, he shall be entitled to a severance payment of three times the sum of his current annual base salary plus the highest of (x) his then-current annual bonus, (y) his highest variable pay and annual incentive bonus for the last three years and (z) 50% of his current annual base salary. In addition, all unvested rights in any stock option or other benefit plans will vest in full. Mr. Gandossi may terminate his employment with us at any time for good reason within 180 days after the occurrence of the good reason event. If Mr. Gandossi is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason other than in connection with the change in control, he shall be entitled to a severance payment equal to the sum of his base salary for the

16

remaining term of the agreement plus the annual bonuses payable for the years (or portions thereof) remaining in the term of the agreement, calculated as set forth in the agreement.

     Ulf Johannson is a party to an employment agreement dated effective July 1, 2003 with us. The following is a summary of certain terms of the agreement which does not purport to be complete. The agreement provides for a base salary of €280,000 annually, an annual bonus of up to 25% of his base salary, depending upon certain performance targets, and certain perquisites including the use of a vehicle. We have also agreed to make certain payments to Mr. Johannson relating to his retirement which are contributed to the pension arrangement in place for Mr. Johannson prior to his appointment at Stendal until he retires at age 62. In addition, Mr. Johannson is entitled to certain medical coverage as well as certain directors’ and officers’ liability coverage under the agreement. The agreement may not be terminated prior to December 31, 2005 and thereafter requires six months’ written notice of termination, unless there is a change in control of the Company, in which case 12 months’ written notice of termination is required, other than for cause. The agreement automatically terminates at the end of the month in which Mr. Johannson turns 62 years old.

Report of the Compensation Committee

     The Company’s Compensation Committee is composed entirely of non-employee trustees who are independent under applicable laws and regulations and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq National Market. It is the Compensation Committee’s responsibility to review and approve the strategy and design of the Company’s compensation, equity based and benefits programs for the Company’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee also has the responsibility to approve all the compensation actions for executive officers. The compensation of our executive officers is evaluated on at least an annual basis by the Compensation Committee in consultation with management.

     Our compensation philosophy for executive officers is primarily but not exclusively performance-based. As our operations are in Europe and, since February 2005, western Canada, we also consider other factors such as local market demands, availability of qualified management and the local cost of living. Our principal objectives are to: (i) secure and retain the services of qualified executive officers, and (ii) create an environment in which such officers are motivated to achieve and maintain superior performance levels. Our current compensation philosophy is to establish and maintain annual base salaries for executive officers at or near levels consistent with those of other comparable companies operating within the forest products industry. Annual bonuses and long-term incentives, either in the form of stock options awarded under our 1992 Amended Option Plan or long-term incentives in the form of restricted shares, options and/or stock appreciation rights under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (together with our 1992 Amended Option Plan, the “Incentive Plans”), are considered where and as appropriate.

     In 2003, the Compensation Committee engaged an outside compensation consultant to assist it in assessing the Company’s existing executive compensation programs. The goals of this study were to determine an appropriate peer group for comparison and to assess the structure of the Company’s executive compensation programs and the level of compensation paid to the Company’s executives. The recommendations of the consultant’s report were taken into consideration in developing our current compensation philosophy. In summary, we shall consider the following in addition to the impact of competitive market forces.

     Base salaries for executive officers are based upon, among other things, job responsibilities, experience and performance of executive officers, which involves an assessment of an executive officer’s skills, judgment, application of knowledge and support of corporate values and priorities. In addition, the impact an executive officer is expected to make to our business in the future is considered.

     Bonuses are awarded to executive officers based on the expectations of the trustees and management for, among other things, our financial and operating performance in a particular period and the contribution of an executive officer in achieving targets. The Compensation Committee also considers the contribution of the executive officer to our business and operations generally.

     Executive officers may be granted long-term incentives in the form of stock options, restricted shares and/or stock appreciation rights under the Incentive Plans. Awards under our Incentive Plans are generally granted based

17

upon the long-term financial and operating expectations of our trustees and management and the contribution an executive officer is expected to make in the future in achieving those targets. Awards under our Incentive Plans generally produce value to executive officers if the price of our Shares appreciate, thereby directly linking the interests of executive officers with those of Shareholders through increased Share ownership.

     In implementing our current compensation philosophy, the Compensation Committee will also consider, among other things: (i) our financial and operating targets for a period and the contributions of executive officers in achieving these targets, (ii) the contributions of executive officers to our business and operations generally, (iii) the contributions of executive officers to the successful completion of major transactions such as material acquisitions or financings, (iv) total shareholder return, and (v) the Company’s stock performance relative to its peers.

     In April 2004, after receiving advice from its outside compensation consultant and considering, among other things, remuneration paid in comparable peer group companies and the effect of changes in currency exchange rates, the Compensation Committee recommended and the Board approved amending the terms of our Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration to increase his base salary to €325,000 and provide him with a housing allowance and other perquisites aggregating not more than €75,000 per annum. In respect thereof, Mr. Lee’s contract was amended to, among other things, delete two loan facilities that the Company had agreed to provide him, which facilities had never been drawn upon. See “Executive Compensation — Employment Agreements”.

     The Compensation Committee determined to grant a bonus to the Chief Executive Officer for 2004 of €150,000 because of, among other things: (i) the contribution made by him in connection with the Stendal mill, the construction of which was completed and the mill was started up in the third quarter of 2004; (ii) the performance of the Company’s Shares on the Nasdaq National Market in 2004; and (iii) his contribution towards meeting certain operating and financial objectives.

     The Compensation Committee did not recommend and the Company did not grant any long-term incentives to the Chief Executive Officer or any executive officer in respect of 2004. This is primarily because the Committee is still reviewing the use of long-term incentives to incent, motivate and retain executive officers and key employees, including the Chief Executive Officer. Such review will consider, among other things, the significant acquisition and financings completed by the Company in mid-February 2005. Upon completing its review, the Committee expects to make its recommendations to the Board with respect to the grant of long-term incentives under the Incentive Plans in 2005 in order to ensure that the Company’s executive compensation arrangements are competitive, consistent with market practice and aligned with shareholder interests.

     Submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee of the Board.

William D. McCartney, Chairman
Kenneth A. Shields
Guy W. Adams

     The Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the report by reference therein.

18

Performance Graph

     The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return (share price appreciation plus dividends) with respect to our Shares with the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Market Index and an additional group of peer companies which comprise Standard Industrial Classification Code 262 — Paper Mills, over the five years ending December 31, 2004. The companies which comprise SIC Code 262 are Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., American Israeli Paper, Badger Paper Mills Inc., BIMS Renewable Energy, Bowater Inc., Bunzl PLC ADS, Chesapeake Corporation, Domtar Inc., Fibermark Inc., Glatfelter, Kimberly Clark Corporation, Meadwestvaco Corp., Mercer International Inc., Neenah Paper Inc., Pope & Talbot Inc., Potlatch Corporation, Sappi Ltd. ADS, Schweitzer Mauduit International, Stora Enso OYJ, UPM Kymmene Corp. ADS, Votorantim Cellulose, Wausau-Mosinee Paper Corporation, and Weyerhaeuser Company.

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
of Company Industry Index and Broad Market

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our officers and trustees and persons who own more than 10% of our Shares file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Commission and furnish us with copies of all such reports that they file. Based solely upon a review of the copies of these reports received by us, and upon written representations by our trustees and officers regarding their compliance with the applicable reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, we believe that all of our trustees and officers filed all required reports under Section 16(a) in a timely manner for the year ended December 31, 2004.

19

PROPOSAL 2

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND AUDITORS

Ratification of Independent Auditors

     The Board requests that Shareholders ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors as a matter of good corporate practice.

     We appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors in place of Peterson Sullivan PLLC effective July 14, 2003 and received Shareholder ratification of such appointment at our annual meeting held in August 2003 and our annual meeting held in June 2004. The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP was approved by the Audit Committee of our Board and the Board. The dismissal of Peterson Sullivan PLLC as our independent auditors was not the result of any disagreement between us and Peterson Sullivan PLLC on any matter. Peterson Sullivan PLLC has provided an unqualified audit opinion in connection with our annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 and there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K of the Commission. For more information, see our Form 8-K/A dated August 6, 2003 filed with the Commission on August 7, 2003, which is incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.

     Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are not expected to be present at the Meeting.

     The selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP must be ratified by a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting, in person or by Proxy, in favour of such ratification. OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.

     In the event Deloitte & Touche LLP are not ratified as our auditors at the Meeting, the Audit Committee will consider whether to retain Deloitte & Touche LLP or select another firm. The Audit Committee may select another firm as our auditors without the approval of Shareholders, even if Shareholders ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP at the Meeting.

Accountants’ Fees

     Deloitte & Touche LLP examined our consolidated financial statements subsequent to their appointment as our independent auditors, while Peterson Sullivan PLLC examined our consolidated financial statements for 2002 and the first three months of 2003. We paid the following fees to our accountants during the last two fiscal years for the services described below:

20

     Consistent with the Commission’s requirements regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee of our Board has adopted a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent auditor and the fees for such non-audit services. Under the policy, the committee must pre-approve services prior to the commencement of the specified service. All services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP subsequent to July 14, 2003 have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

21

FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Any proposal which a Shareholder wishes to include in the proxy statement and proxy relating to the annual meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held in 2006 must be received by the Company on or before December 28, 2005. Upon receipt of such a proposal, the Company will determine whether or not to include the proposal in such proxy statement and proxy in accordance with applicable law. A Shareholder that wishes to present a proposal at the annual Shareholders’ meeting to be held in 2006 must submit such proposal to the Company on or before April 7, 2006 or management will have discretionary authority to vote proxies received for such meeting with respect to any such proposal. Shareholder proposals should be sent to the Secretary, Mercer International Inc., c/o Suite 2840, 650 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 4N8, Canada.

OTHER MATTERS

     The trustees know of no matters other than those set out in this proxy statement to be brought before the Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the proxy holders to vote the Proxies received for the Meeting in accordance with their judgment.

     Our annual report for 2004 (which includes a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004) will be mailed to Shareholders with this proxy statement. We have incorporated by reference in this proxy statement our Form 8-K/A dated August 6, 2003 relating to a change in our auditors. A copy of the Form 8-K/A will be provided to Shareholders promptly without charge upon oral or written request directed to Mercer International Inc., Shareholder Information, c/o Suite 2840, 650 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 4N8, Canada (tel: (604) 684-1099). This proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the Form 8-K/A are also available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Date: April 28, 2005

22

APPENDIX “A”

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
(the “Company”)

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

(Revised and Restated March 8, 2005)

A-1

A-2

A-3

A-4

PROXY

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

14900 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 282
Seattle, WA 98168

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES OF MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

     The undersigned hereby appoints Jimmy S.H. Lee, or failing him David M. Gandossi, as proxy, with the power of substitution, to represent and to vote as designated below all the shares of beneficial interest of Mercer International Inc. held of record by the undersigned on April 28, 2005 at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 14, 2005, or any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof.

     This Proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted for each of the matters to be voted upon at the Meeting.

     Please sign exactly as name appears on your share certificate(s). When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

Please mark, sign, date and return this Proxy promptly using the enclosed envelope.