Formatting dates with different regional settings

[Dirk]

I need to convert the current date into text and use the
following function:

TEXT(NOW()," DDMMMYYYY hh:mm")

Unfortunately the spreadsheet will be used in countries
with different regional settings. In Germany for example
we would have to use TEXT(NOW()," TTMMMJJJJ hh:mm") to
get the same result.

Is there a way to make my date format independent from the
regional settings? Is there a universal date format? Or
can I find out what the regional settings are and format
my date conditionally?

Thanks for your help.

Dirk