Conferences and speeches
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Competition policy in the EU: Outlook and recent developments in antitrust
Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington DC, Margrethe Vestager
16 April 2015
"If we are serious about boosting growth in Europe, we must rely on the Single Market. [...]
Tapping its potential to the full would go a long way towards kickstarting Europe’s economy.
This is where competition enforcement comes into the picture, because it is our task to keep the Single Market open and efficient.
This is good for Europe’s firms, because it trains them to take on their competitors around the world. [...]
It is also good for overseas companies, because they can do business in Europe safe in the knowledge that the game is fair and the playing field level.
And if a player – whether European or not – believes that its rivals are rigging the game; rest assured that the referee is competent, independent and impartial."
Read full speech >
Antitrust
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Commission sends statement of objections to Google on comparison shopping service; opens separate formal investigation on Android
15 April 2015
The Commission has sent a statement of objections to Google alleging the company has abused its dominant position in the markets for general internet search services in the EEA by systematically favouring its own comparison shopping product in its general search results pages.
The Commission's preliminary view is that such conduct infringes EU antitrust rules because it stifles competition and harms consumers.
The Commission has also formally opened a separate antitrust investigation into Google's conduct as regards the mobile operating system Android.
The investigation will focus on whether Google has entered into anti-competitive agreements or abused a possible dominant position in the field of operating systems, applications and services for smart mobile devices.
Commissioner Vestager's statement >
Commission press release >
Details on comparison shopping service investigation >
Details on Android investigation >
State aid
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Commission approves support to 20 offshore wind farms in Germany
16 April 2015
The Commission has found that German plans to support the building of 20 offshore wind farms are in line with EU state aid rules.
Seventeen wind farms will be located in the North Sea and three in the Baltic Sea.
The Commission concluded that the project would further EU energy and environmental objectives without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.
Read more >
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