EESC opinion on the Report from the Commission on competition policy 2022, COM(2023) 184 final
Key points
The EESC:
- stresses the need for the Commission to extend its competition action to cover realities originating outside the EU, that impact on fair and healthy competition vis-à-vis European businesses and on compliance with the rules to which they are subject. The Commission's action on foreign subsidies constitutes a first step and is welcomed by the EESC, but this needs to be extended to other areas;
- recommends that the Commission assess the distortions of competition that have arisen through the implementation of the COVID-19 State Aid Temporary Framework, together with other European funds. The Commission should urge the Member States to correct the mistakes, precipitous measures and unequal treatment that have occurred and that, while understandable in an unprecedented state of emergency, can and should now be corrected in order to restore the level playing-field – and thereby competition – for businesses operating in the same market that were treated unequally during that period;
- calls for constant support and monitoring of the large-scale retail market as part of antitrust policy. This market should be open and competitive, in the interests of producers and consumers, which, in an inflationary period like the one we are currently witnessing, is all the more important in order to allow supply chains to function properly;
- calls on the Commission to use State aid rules to support the green and digital transition. State aid can play an important role in this transition; the granting of State aid should have at its origin the contractualisation of strict targets which, if not achieved, mean that any benefit received must be returned.
Practical information
Composition of the study group
Administrator in charge: Silvia STAFFA
Assistant: Alexandra SEIDENBERG
For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat