Chapter 3.08 Competition policy and general rules of the European Union that enable companies to compete under equal conditions on the markets of all member countries. Free competition is a key element of an open market economy. Gi stimulates economic performance and offers consumers a wider choice of higher quality products and services, as well as more competitive prices. Competition policy consists of three areas: antitrust, state aid and liberalization. With the rules for antitrust, the Union prohibits agreements between two or more entities on the market insofar as they limit competition (cartels), abuse of a dominant position, and mergers or takeovers that significantly reduce competition on the single market. State aid is also prohibited according to these rules, such as subsidies or any other aid provided by member countries that distorts competition, with certain exceptions where such aid can be justified if it benefits the public interest. Liberalization refers to overcoming state monopolies in certain critical sectors such as: energy, telecommunications, transport, water and the fair sector.
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