Conferences and Speeches
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EU competition policy and innovation
IBA 17th annual competition conference, Florence, Joaquín Almunia
13 September 2013
"The business practices and the policies that can foster innovation have nothing to do with the recipe offered by protectionists, which is conservative, static, and backward-looking.
Innovation and protectionism are, in fact, at loggerheads.
So, today I would like to explore how competition policy can be enlisted in this contest."
Read more >
State aid
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Commission temporarily approves rescue aid for Slovenian banks Factor banka d.d. and Probanka d.d.
6 September 2013
The Commission has temporarily approved Slovenian plans to grant state guarantees on newly issued liabilities of the two Slovenian banks Factor banka d.d. and Probanka d.d. in the maximum amount of €540 million and €490 million respectively.
The Commission concluded that the measures are necessary to preserve financial stability in Slovenia without unduly distorting competition.
The Commission will take a final decision on the measures in the context of its assessment of the two banks' restructuring plans.
Read more >
Court
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Cases T-548/08 and T-566/08 Total / Commission (candle waxes cartel)
13 September 2013
The General Court ruled on two appeals against a Commission decision of 2008 fining several companies for operating a cartel in the sector of candle waxes.
The GC fully dismissed the appeal lodged by Total SA and most of the claims by its subsidiary Total Raffinage Marketing.
The GC slighlty reduced the fine of Total Raffinage Marketing.
Read full judgment on Total >
Read full judgment on Total Raffinage Marketing >
Read more about the Commission's 2008 decision >
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Case T-380/08 the Netherlands / Commission (access to documents)
13 September 2013
The General Court ruled on an appeal against a Commission decision of 2008.
The 2008 decision had rejected the Netherland's request for access to the confidential version of a Commission decision of 2006 fining several companies for operating a cartel in the market for bitumen in the Netherlands.
The GC rejected the appeal and upheld the Commission's decision not to give access to the confidential version of the 2006 cartel decision.
Read full judgment >
Read more about the Commission's 2006 decision >
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Case T-525/08 Poste Italiane / Commission (state aid)
13 September 2013
The General Court ruled on an appeal against a Commission decision of 2008 regarding the remuneration by the Italian Treasury of funds collected through postal current accounts.
The GC annulled the Commission's decision.
Read full judgment >
Read more about Commission's 2008 decision >
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Case T-551/10 Fri-El Acerra / Commission (state aid)
13 September 2013
The General Court ruled on an appeal against a Commission decision of 2010 finding regional investment aid for Fri-el Acerra incompatible with EU state aid rules.
The GC rejected the appeal and fully upheld the Commission's decision.)
Read full judgment >
Read more about Commission's 2010 decision >
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Case T-347/09 Germany / Commission (state aid)
12 September 2013
The General Court ruled on an appeal against a Commission decision of 2009 regarding the transfer, free of charge, of certain natural heritage land by Germany to environmental protection organisations.
The GC dismissed the appeal and fully upheld the Commission's decision.
Read full judgment >
Read more about the Commission's 2009 decision >
Read GC's press release >
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