Report on Competition Policy 2012

Download — EESC opinion: Report on Competition Policy 2012

See EESC opinion in all languages under Related documents at the end of this page.

Key points

The EESC:

  • believes that it was right to "carry on as usual" in the field of competition despite the economic crisis;
  • warns that the aid given to the financial sector will only be justified if the current reform prevents repetition of the irresponsible behaviour that led to the financial crisis;
  • expresses doubts whether the liberalisation in the field of the EU energy policy has brought more competition, more transparent markets and lower prices for users;
  • stresses that in the telecommunication market the principal goals should be a genuine reduction in telephone charges for households and businesses, high-quality broadband connections for all, abolition of roaming charges, and a single EU regulator;
  • warns that in high-technology sectors where there is constant innovation, the lengthy period of time between the start of proceedings and the adoption of decisions can result even in the disappearance of companies;
  • points to the need for greater harmonisation in the e-book market to prevent arbitrage and to move towards market integration;
  • welcomes and supports the Commission's endeavours to penalise abuse of patents by large pharmaceutical companies, creating barriers to the generic medicines market.

Related EESC Opinions: