Kuneva, Meglena --- "Competition Policy and Consumer Protection in the EU" [2010] ELECD 351; in Mateus, M. Abel; Moreira, Teresa (eds), "Competition Law and Economics" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: Competition Law and Economics

Editor(s): Mateus, M. Abel; Moreira, Teresa

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781848449992

Section: Chapter 3

Section Title: Competition Policy and Consumer Protection in the EU

Author(s): Kuneva, Meglena

Number of pages: 3

Extract:

3. Competition policy and consumer
protection in the EU
Meglena Kuneva

The European Union is decreasing its reliance on regulations and instead
firmly believes in the efficiency and the innovative capacity of markets.
We have seen only this week a major initiative further to deregulate the
electronic communication sector.
Healthy markets are the most direct and efficient way to benefit consum-
ers. They allow resources to be used in the way consumers want them to
be used. They create incentives for consumer friendly innovations. They
provide choice and opportunities to consumers. Healthy markets also
deliver best prices.
Still, you of all people know that situations can develop in markets where
the competitive process is distorted. Competition policy is crucial in the
battle against illegitimate practices that harm consumers. Today, more than
ever, it is important that competition policy keeps consumers at its heart
and strives to deliver the benefits of markets to the European citizens.
My dear colleague Neelie Kroes has proven unrelenting in this drive.
She has most recently cracked down on cartels in sectors as diverse as
elevators, needles and zippers, and beer, all of which are familiar ­ in
some cases perhaps a little bit too familiar ­ to consumers. She has fined
a telecommunications network operator for restricting access to broad-
band, an essential service for European consumers. She has also proved
that she will be intimidated by no one, absolutely no one, in defending the
consumer's interest.
Still, more must be done. The Commission firmly believes ...