The Commission for Protection of Competition hosted the European Commission Expert mission visiting institutions of the Republic of Serbia from November 13, 2017 with the goal of providing consultancy in relation to the fulfillment of transitional measures concerning the media. These discussions are conducted with the goal of achieving more qualitative negotiation talks on the Republic of Serbia accession to the European Union within the Chapter 23 (Judiciary and fundamental rights).

During the meeting, Commission’s representatives introduced the Expert mission members to the role and competences of the Commission for Protection of Competition in relation to the control of concentrations, media ownership, its role in drafting and preparing a media strategy, manner of functioning of key institutions and regulatory authorities with respect to the policy implementation in this area, as well as to other open issues.

Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that when conducting controls on mergers and acquisitions of ownership, i.e. management rights in the media, the Commission acts in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Protection of Competition, and that, in this respect, pluralism and diversity of media content is not a criterion determining the Commission when assessing the permissibility of concentration, since that issue is in the competence of other regulatory authorities and line ministry.

Delegations were headed by Member of the Council of the Commission for Protection of Competition Čedomir Radojčić, and Francesco Sciacchitano, Head of the EC Expert mission.