Competition Weekly e-news

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €3 billion French scheme to compensate companies in five French outermost regions for the additional costs borne when operating in those territories until 2027.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1.1 billion German scheme to compensate rail transport operators using electric traction in the context of the recent spike in electricity prices. The measure will contribute to ensuring that the rail sector remains competitive while preserving the environmental performance of electric rail, in line with the objectives of the Commission's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and of the European Green Deal.

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Asiana by Korean Air. The Commission is concerned that the transaction may reduce competition in the markets for passenger and cargo air transport services between the European Economic Area (‘EEA') and South Korea.

Workshop of 27 February 2023 on “The DMA and interoperability between messaging services”  to discuss how to ensure effective compliance with the Digital Markets Act.
This workshop will address issues such as end-to-end encryption, security or the identification of users across different messaging services
The Commission believes it important for all stakeholders to provide their input and views on various implementation questions, whilst fully respecting the letter and the spirit of the Digital Markets Act.
The view of third parties, including but not exclusively of those who are potential beneficiaries of the Digital Markets Act, will be an important input in ensuring practicable, transparent, and effective compliance solutions.

Workshop of 6 March 2023 on“The DMA and app store related provisions” to discuss how to ensure effective compliance with the Digital Markets Act.
This workshop will address issues such as alternative in-app payment systems, steering and sideloading.
The view of third parties, including but not exclusively of those who are potential beneficiaries of the Digital Markets Act, will be an important input in ensuring practicable, transparent, and effective compliance solutions.

The Directorate-General for Competition is pleased to announce the first debate in the Markets for People series. It will take place at Fondazione San Carlo in Modena, Italy on 20 April, 2023. The title is Markets for People: La concorrenza e le sue regole al servizio della società [How competition and its rules can serve the people].
The Markets for People debate series is designed to clear the ground for an open and fact-based discussion on the economic and social implications of competition and its rules, and their impact on the daily lives of all citizens.
All debates – including Modena’s – are organized in close collaboration with national competition authorities, the European Commission Representations in EU countries, and local Europe Direct centers. The objective is to encourage local and national participation and address topics that resonate with the public opinion.
The debates are open to the public. You can also follow them live or on demand via the series’ portal.

DG COMPETITION will celebrate twenty years of EU antitrust enforcement under Regulation 1/2003 with a conference that will bring together leading experts to discuss and reflect on the achievements, needs and challenges of the current antitrust procedural framework.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear insights and reflections from keynote speakers including enforcers, private practitioners, in-house counsels and academics, and participate in panel discussions.