A delegation of the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova, led by President Alexei Gherțescu, participated in the international conference “When the State Harms Competition: Possible Infringements, Remedies and Competitive Neutrality of State-Owned Enterprises”, held in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The event was organized by the OECD-GVH Regional Centre for Competition (RCC), in cooperation with the Slovenian Competition Protection Agency, and brought together senior officials and representatives of competition authorities from Italy, Spain, Latvia, Slovenia, Hungary, as well as experts from international organizations.

Over the three days of discussions, participants examined the complex role of the state in the enforcement of competition law, focusing on the potential impact that public institutions and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) may have on competition in various markets. The debates highlighted the principle of competitive neutrality as a key pillar in ensuring and maintaining a level playing field in the market.

The conference also addressed recent developments in case law, available policy instruments, and international best practices regarding state interventions in the economy.

During the event, Mr. Alexei Gherțescu, President of the Competition Council, delivered several presentations on how actions taken by public authorities and institutions can influence market functioning and competition.

The Republic of Moldova is a consistent contributor to the activities of the OECD Regional Centre for Competition, which brings together competition authorities from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Cooperation within the Centre facilitates the exchange of experience and the dissemination of best practices in the field of competition, with the support of experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Hungarian Competition Authority.