First Report on Competition Policy (annexed to the "Fifth General report on the Activities of the Commumnities"). For year 1971.

Abstract

In its "Resolution concerning the Rules on Competition and the position of European Enterprises within the Common Market and in the Wo!ld Economy" of7 June 1971, the European Parliament asked the Commission to make each year a special report on the development of competition policy. As the present report is the first such report submitted by the Commission, as a result of the Resolution, it gives an outline of competition policy as a whole and its development since its inception. The Commission is pleased to note the' interest shown by the Parliament in the problems raised by competition policy, which is an important means for achieving the aims of the Treaties. The Treaties establishing the European Communities laid down that the Community institutions have to see to the establishment, maintenance and observance of normal. competitive conditions in the markets for coal and steel and, as regards the other sectors of economic activity, the setting-up of a system which will ensure that competition is not distorted within the Common 1Vlarket.