Brussels, 10/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 10 March, the European Commission confirmed unannounced inspections had been carried out in the rail freight sector in the Baltic states. The Commission considers it has every reason to suspect the existence of a cartel.
During the inspections, Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from national competition-related authorities. The Commission points out in a press release that inspections are a preliminary step for combating anti-competitive practice, and that they do not mean the European executive has conclusive proof of anti-competitive behaviour. Neither do they prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. There is no legal deadline for completing inquiries into anti-competitive conduct. The duration of investigations depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case. (O.L./transl.jl)