On July 3 in Astana, Maksim Yermalovich, Minister in charge of Competition and Antitrust Regulation of the Eurasian Economic Commission, held a consultation with the heads of the authorized competition authorities of the Eurasian Economic Union countries.

The attendees discussed in detail independent research of commodity markets and economic sectors to identify possible signs of violations of general competition rules in transboundary markets, and compared notes on different approaches to proactive assessment of the state of competition.

“The EAEU Court has confirmed the EEC right to conduct independent market research and request information for this purpose,” the EEC Minister noted. “However, there are nuances regarding the liability of economic entities for failure to provide, or for providing incomplete or false information requested by the EEC, which poses risks to the deadlines, completeness, and relevance of the research.”

Maksim Yermalovich confirmed the EEC intention to continue independent research, drawing on information from open sources, statistical data, and information voluntarily provided by market participants.

The consultation emphasized the importance of strengthening information exchange between the EAEU countries' competition authorities and the EEC, including the exchange of information to identify signs of competition violations in transboundary markets.

The consultation was also attended by representatives of the Observer States at the EAEU.