Brussels, 15/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti and Mr Charles A. James, Head of the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice, took part, on 15 May in Brussels, in a conference on "Competition Policy in the 21st century", organised by the United States Mission with the EU. Mr Monti and his American counterpart, who was on his first posting to Europe, demonstrated a common determination to consolidate dialogue between both sides of the Atlantic on competition policy, a dialogue that is increasingly vital given growing globalisation of the economy and the cultural differences that exist with regard to competition policy, the parties said. Mr James said in his opening speech that there was some friction between the American and European authorities following the European Commission's veto to the merger between the American giants, GE and Honeywell, an operation that had been authorised earlier in the United States. He stressed, however, that "our relations have improved since then", adding that current dialogue was "very positive" and that the differences reported by the press had been exaggerated. Mr James recalled the fundamental difference of procedure between European and American policy. Whereas the European Commission opens a dossier, negotiates the conditions of its eventual authorisation with the companies and itself, and decides whether or not to clear the operation, in the United States, the final decision can only result from a decision before justice. Thus, it is up to the competition authority to plead its case and to present sound arguments in the event of unsuccessful negotiation between the parties to the merger and itself. "And yet, I recognise that the EU is faced with the same problems as ourselves and that assuring the wellbeing of consumers is the same aim that we, too, have", he stressed. The American official welcomed, moreover, the work of the Commission for monitoring mergers: "we encourage partnership in this sector", he pointed out. Taking the floor, Commissioner Monti said that, although dialogue on both sides of the Atlantic brings out the contrasts on certain aspects of this policy and different results, the aims were convergent. "We share the same responsibilities", he said in substance, speaking of the evolution of the markets towards growing globalisation. EUROPE will come back to this.