OREANDA-NEWS. September 12, 2014. Igor Artemiev: our main objective remains unchanged – transform relations in industries to pro-competitive through antimonopoly cases. The Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia), Igor Artemiev, made this statement, at an Extended FAS Collegium (the Leningrad region).

He said that the major events in 2014 included approving the “forth antimonopoly package” by the Government that easies some requirements for business considerably; approving “sectroal Road Maps” for developing competition at the federal level; and publishing “Black and White Books of pro-competitive and anti-competitive regional practices”.

Igor Artemiev discussed the trends in the number of cases initiated upon violating the antimonopoly law, and pointed out that “for the first time in 20 years the number of cases against the authorities is less than 50% of the total”. For instance, in the first six months of 2014, 4302 cases were initiated, of which 2067 against the authorities. The Head of FAS also expressed hope that the figure will continue decreasing.

“The practice of applying warnings and admonitions – our important institutional innovation – is extended further. The number of warnings and admonitions increased by 16% in comparison with the first six months of 2013”, emphasized the Head of FAS.

The number of warnings issued in the first six months of 2014 in comparison with the first six months of 2013 increased by 15%, admonitions - by 45%. 67% of the issued warnings were executed. For instance, in the first six months of 2014 FAS issued 904 warnings and 32 admonitions.

With regard of judicial consideration of FAS decisions on violations of the antimonopoly law, Igor Artemiev pointed out that 6.2% of FAS decisions were reversed.

Preliminary control is abolished, which significantly reduced the burden on business: in the first six months of 2013 FAS considered 999 petitions and 970 notifications, and in the first six months of 2014 – 807 and 322 accordingly.

“Our main objective remains unchanged”, emphasized Igor Artemiev. “It is to transform relations in industries to pro-competitive through antimonopoly cases”. Among other objectives for the near future he listed approving administrative appeal procedures in construction, efficient control over pricing on the defence markets and the need for continued monitoring of food products prices.

In conclusion, the Head of the antimonopoly authority expressed hope that new FAS themes and goals will enable to focus efforts towards developing competition in all sectors of Russian economy and ensure unified enforcement of competition law.