OREANDA-NEWS. May 25, 2010. Russia sees emerging associations of practicing lawyers specializing in state procurement, said Stats-Secretary Andrey Tsarikovskiy, Deputy Head of FAS Russia, at the meeting with students of State University - Higher School of Economics: "Professional interest is the result of intensive legislative development in state procurement in the recent years", reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The speech of Mr. Tsarikovskiy coincides with the 20th anniversary of antimonopoly regulation in the Russian Federation. One of the major events commemorating the anniversary will be the FAS Russia Collegium on 7-9 June 2010 in Suzdal, where FAS will sum up the results of its work since it was formed and outline future prospective objectives.

Mr. Tsarikovskiy discussed evolution of the antimonopoly legislation in Russia. For instance, 2006 Law on competition is the result of understanding by the society and the government of the need to promote competitive relations as the key element of national development. Introduction of violators' liability in the form of "turnover" fines in 2007 has forced market participants to watch their conduct in terms of compliance with the Law "On Protection of Competition".

Russian antimonopoly legislation is a modern body of normative legal documents similar to the laws adopted in various developed countries, where such norms have proved their efficiency throughout several dozen years of use. As for the legal framework on electronic auctions, Russia is 2 - 3 years ahead of other countries.

Essential for developing competition in Russia are requirements to conduct of government officials in interaction with economic entities and real liability of officials for antimonopoly violations including disqualification of high-level officials for several years. Mr. Tsarikovskiy pointed out that lately more than 50% of antimonopoly cases were associated exactly with such violations by the authorities, and FAS will step up the work on suppressing such violations.

Mr. Tsarikovskiy paid special attention to state procurement. Enforcing the law on state procurement has already saved more than 300 billion Rubles of budgetary funds. Despite active resistance and pressure from certain circles, experienced when the Law was drafted and after it came into force, today it performs well and no serious objections are raised against the need to have such Law. Discussions are focusing mainly around possible correction of its provisions in view of enforcement practice.

Rounding up his speech, Mr. Tsarikovskiy said that today USA, Europe and some other countries have already formed associations of lawyers specializing in antimonopoly issues, and the same process has been in place in Russia for several years. This lays a good foundation for professional advancement of lawyers and economists. In its turn, FAS Russia formed "Promoting Competition" Non-Commercial Partnership, where practicing lawyers discuss specific features of law enforcement and analyze legal initiatives.

At this stage an international legal system for antimonopoly regulation is emerging, countries sing interstate agreements on information exchange and joint investigations. The most successful efforts have been made within the CIS; cooperation between BRIC countries is also increasing. Unification of the antimonopoly law is taking place within the Customs Union.