On 7May 2015, the European Competition Day Conference will take place at the National Library of Latvia in Riga. It will bring together leading European and international competition law experts to discuss topics relevant to the EU Member States – tackling cartels, the co-existence of state and private enterprises in markets, and the lack of balance between the market power of retailers and their suppliers.
The European Competition Day Conference is organised once every six months by the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The conference will start with keynote speeches by the Latvian Minister for Economic Affairs, Ms Dana Reizniece-Ozola, the European Commissioner for Competition, Ms Margrethe Vestager, and the Chair of the Competition Council of Latvia, Ms Skaidrīte Ābrama. Representatives from the EU Member States’ competition authorities and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), along with leading scholars in the field of competition law (Professors Alison Jones, Eleanor M. Fox and William E. Kovacic), have been invited to take part in the discussions.
The conference entitled ”Broadening Borders for More Effective Competition Protection” is devoted to three main areas in which European competition authorities need to seek innovative solutions, or even change the current approach, in order to provide effective protection and to ensure fair and equal competition and a competitive European market. The one-day event will focus on three main topics:
Ensuring a Level Playing Field between Public and Private-Owned Businesses. The economic activities of public bodies can pose a threat to fair and equal competition, yet countries and municipalities throughout Europe still engage in business activities. The participants will discuss the role of competition authorities and opportunities for ensuring equal competition in situations when market participants are in different positions.Updating Perspectives for Tackling Today’s Cartels. Cartels are very damaging both for competition in the market and for consumers. The speakers will share their experience regarding the latest methods for competition authorities to detect such infringements, and will analyse problem situations when business cooperation borders on infringement of the law.Drawing a Line between the Constructive and Destructive Buying Power of Retailers. The lack of balance between the market power of large retail chains and small producers and distributors is a matter of concern in a number of EU Member States. At the same time, actions taken by policy-makers range from guidelines on proper cooperation to tough laws. This conference will provide an opportunity to collect and discuss past practical experience and research results.The conference is aimed at representatives of EU national competition authorities, Latvian businesses and NGOs, representatives of national administrative and legislative authorities, academics, judges and lawyers specialising in competition law, and the media.
The conference entitled “Broadening Borders for More Effective Competition Protection” will take place on 7 May 2015 at the National Library of Latvia in Riga.
Conference website: https://kp.gov.lv/en/aktualitates-en/european-competition-day
Agenda: https://lemumi.kp.gov.lv/documents/571296635437f31be736e7443038ffb8f58db9f1
For Twitter communications please use the hashtag: #CompetDayRiga
Media information:
Media accreditation:https://eu2015.lv/media-eu/accreditation
Within the framework of the conference, a press conference will take place on 7 May at 11:55 – 12:25 at the National Library of Latvia in the Baltija Hall.
At the press conference, Ms Skaidrīte Ābrama, Mr Alexander Italianer, the Director-General of the European Commission Directorate-General for Competition, Dr Frédéric Jenny, Chairman of the OECD Competition Law and Policy Committee, and Mr Šarūnas Keserauskas, Chairman of the Lithuanian Competition Authority, will address competition issues in the EU, OECD and the Baltic states.
Media contact information:
Inita Kabanova
Head of Communication Division
Competition Council of Latvia
E-mail: Inita.kabanova@kp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67365210; Mobile: +371 20219048
Evita Urpena
Ministry of Economic Affairs of Latvia
Public Relations Division
Phone: +371 67013193
E-mail: prese@em.gov.lv