CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMPETITION COUNCIL MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENT

On January 23, the Chairperson of the Competition Council (the Council) Šarūnas Keserauskas met with the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė to discuss the competition environment in Lithuania and the Council‘s efforts to ensure effective competition. During the meeting the Chairperson drew President’s attention to anti-competitive activities of municipalities. Rather than safeguarding the principles of fair competition, many of them take lead among the abusers of the Law on Competition. Decisions by municipalities restrict business opportunities, limit market access for new service providers and, in turn, limit consumers‘ opportunities to benefit from a choice of goods and services.

In addition, it was highlighted, that more attention should be devoted to unnotified mergers, being one of the most serious antitrust violations. It was strongly reiterated that clearance by the Council is necessary for merger implementation.

During the meeting efforts of the Council to foster dialogue with business community and so to promote the principles of competition as well as legislation initiatives were also discussed.