OREANDA-NEWS  On 05 March was announced, that FAS Russia published press-release “Session of FAS Russia Collegium”.

The figure was quoted by Igor Artemyev, the Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia), at the extended session of the FAS Russia's Collegium, which took place on 3rd March 2009.

Igor Artemyev gave a welcoming address to the participants and guests, among which there were representatives of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Interior, and business organizations.

The Head of FAS Russia made a presentation on the "Results of 2008 and Objectives for 2009", where he highlighted the main legislative and enforcement achievements of the antimonopoly authority, and outlined the basic priorities in its work.

Igor Artemyev pointed out that in comparison with 2007, in 2008 the Antimonopoly Service was far more robust in initiating the proceedings on violations of both the antimonopoly legislation and the legislation on advertising.

He especially underlined a sharp increase of proceedings initiated against the authorities in 2008: more than 50% of total number of violations.

Discussing positive practice of cooperation with the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Interior, Igor Artemyev emphasized that proving collusions, which are some of the most complicated antimonopoly violations is only possible with the support by these agencies.

"With the introduction of large turnover penalties, market entities have figured out how to protect themselves. What is important, however, that the percentage of the decisions of the antimonopoly bodies revoked by the courts of law is not rising, while the number of cases initiated by FAS Russia is growing", stated Igor Artemyev.

Overall, in 2008 the antimonopoly bodies initiated around 6540 antimonopoly cases, of which 2978 were against the authorities.

In 2008 the sum of payable antimonopoly fines was approximately 13 bln Rubles.

Regarding judicial practice, the Head of FAS Russia said: "The Findings of the Plenary Session of the Supreme Arbitration Court, issued on 30th June 2008, which summarize enforcement practice of the antimonopoly laws and mandatory judicial interpretation of the most important Articles of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", have helped to overcome the adverse practices that have been long created by the monopolies".

Among the main objectives facing the antimonopoly authority in 2009, Igor Artemyev emphasized implementing legislative initiatives of the Government of the Russian Federation on protection of competition and reforming the legislation on natural monopolies.

The Heads of all 82 regional Offices of FAS Russia, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and officers of the Central Office of the Antimonopoly Service also took part in the work of the Collegium.