OREANDA-NEWS. In her introductory speech at the 6th Annual of the International Competition Network (ICN) Conference, the Commissioner responsible for Competition Policy in the European Commission, Mrs Neelie Kroes, gave her high assessment of the work of Federal Antimonopoly Service "on competition development and control of antimonopoly infringements in course of economic integration", reported the press-centre of  FAS Russia.

Commissioner Kroes underlined an important event for FAS Russia activity - adopting the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", especially the provisions on state aid control. Furthermore, Mrs Kroes gave her positive assessment of the amendments of the "Code of Administrative Violations" that introduce "turnover" penalties for violations of the antimonopoly legislations.

"In the European Union we have also changed the sanctions practice and introduced a twofold increase of the penalties imposed for repeated breach of the antimonopoly legislation",- commented Neelie Kroes on the amendments to the "Code of Administrative Violations".

According to Mrs Kroes, effective work of the antimonopoly authorities requires experience exchange and the International Competition Network offers such opportunities.

Throughout its history, ICN has proved to be a successful organization that has devised a number of important and valuable proposals on competition development. Priority is given to cartels control and this work will continue", said the European Commissioner on Competition.

Among the main objectives of ICN work for the near future, Neelie Kroes named increasing the number of ICN members by engaging young competition authorities, enhancing co-operation, and improving enforcement and competition advocacy, as well as applying the results of ICN work outside the framework of competition authorities.