The existence of a cartel can be proved only after a one-year procedure

Margarita Dimitrova

"So far, there has been no decision on a cartel agreement in the European Community that could be proved in less than a year," stated President of the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) Petko Nikolov before MPs from the Economic Policy, Energy and Tourism Committee, during a discussion on the fuel market and prices yesterday. The Ministries of Finance, of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and of Transport had sent their representatives to participate in the debate.

Ten days ago, the Minister of Transport sent CPC a letter asking for the antitrust authority to decide on whether a cartel existed on the fuel market. According to Petko Nikolov, a cartel agreement between the petrol stations can not be identified at a glance because the competition between them is very strong.

"Since the beginning of the year, fuel prices in Bulgaria have increased to almost reach the average European level," said Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Evgeni Angelov who, nevertheless, emphasised that they still remained at the lowest level in the EU.

"The Consumer Protection Commission has inspected more than 150 stations," announced its Chairman Damyan Lazarov. There were no violations in the establishment of prices. 


 

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