OREANDA-NEWS. June 24, 2013. Deputy Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) Andrey Tsyganov took part in a plenary session of the Moscow Annual Forum of Business Partnership "Russia – Europe: Cooperation Without Frontiers”, organized by Moscow Association of Businessmen”.

In 2013 the main subject on the Forum was discussing development of economic cooperation between Russia and the European Union (EU), reduction of administrative barriers for small and medium enterprises (SME), and entry of Russian SME to international markets. Official guests at the Forum included Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani; the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov; Deputy Minister for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Alexei Likhachev; the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Sergey Katyrin; Vice-President of “OPORA RUSSIA” Association of Entrepreneurs, Natalia Zolotykh; a Co-Chair of “Business Russia” Alexei Repik, and businessmen from Russia and the EU.

Speaking at the plenary session, Andrey Tsyganov emphasized that the principles of cooperation between Russia and the EU in the field of competition are specified in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and detailed in a special Memorandum signed by the Head of FAS Igor Artemiev and EC Competition Commissioner of the Joaquin Almunia in 2011.

“We understand the importance of ensuring equal conditions for competition within the common economic space of Russia and the EU and endeavour to form a homogenous and clear legal field for Russian and European businessmen. Our prospective area is coordinating efforts of FAS and the European Commission in investigations of antimonopoly violations on cross-border markets”, pointed out Deputy Head of the antimonopoly authority.

Discussing the result of joint efforts, Andrey Tsyganov indicated several areas where positive outcome is already achieved: pharmaceuticals, financial markets, public procurement, vehicle sale and repair.

“Modern Russian antimonopoly law allows foreign businessmen to efficiently protect their rights and interests in the incidents of abusing dominance by monopolies, and unfair competition, including unlawful use of objects of intellectual property. The law provides for equal conditions for access to public procurement, and procurement by state corporations, as well as disposed state property”, said Andrey Tsyganov.