Brussels, 17/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 17 May, the European Union and the Swiss Confederation signed an agreement that will strengthen co-operation between their respective competition authorities.
This is the fifth such agreement signed by the EU after agreements concluded with the United States, Canada, Japan and Korea. It enhances co-operation for an effective implementation of competition rules and provides for regular contacts in order to discuss policy issues and enforcement efforts and priorities. It also provides for the mutual notification of enforcement activities affecting each other's important interests. Under the agreement the EU and Switzerland may request the other party to start enforcement actions against anti-competitive behaviour carried out in the territory of the other party and both sides have to take into account the important interests of the other party. An innovative feature of the agreement, which will remedy shortcomings in previous agreements of the same type, is that it will enable the two competition agencies to exchange information they have obtained in their investigations. This will be subject, however, to strict business confidentiality and the information can only be used by the receiving authority for the enforcement of its competition rules in relation to the same case and for the purpose of the initial request. In addition, no evidence can be used to impose sanctions on natural persons.
Commenting on the deal, which he signed with Swiss federal economy advisor Johann N. Schneider-Amman and with permanent representative Thomas Hanney, on behalf of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said the deal was a stage towards future relations with Switzerland and successful final approval of the deal would be used to inspire bilateral talks with Switzerland in other domains too. (FG/transl.fl)