AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

MEETING BETWEEN PITRUZZELLA AND VESTAGER, JOINT ACTION ON THE PROMOTION OF COMPETITION: USEFUL FOR CITIZENS AND FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

The President of the Italian Antitrust Authority, Giovanni Pitruzzella and the European Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, agreed on the need to promote the culture of competition, a decisive stimulus to increase consumer welfare and economic growth. This is the thrust of the meeting between the leaders of the two authorities for the European and Italian market that took place today in Rome. Besides topical issues, the meeting focused on the need to strengthen the already excellent joint action between the offices of the Italian Antitrust Authority and of the Commission in the fight against cartels and abuse, the passage of the bill on competition, the use of sanctions, leniency programmes and the application of the Community directive on compensation for damage.

President Pitruzzella recalled the work done by the Antitrust Authority in the context of EU action with the authorities of other member states, the implementation of disciplinary action by the Regulator, measures to suppress abuse in e-commerce and the promotion of competition. Commissioner Vestager expressed her congratulations for the results achieved and for the choice of Italy, as suggested in various reports by the Antitrust Authority, to launch an annual bill that deals with all the sectors that still require greater competitiveness.

Rome, 10 September 2015