Thesis Type:

Abstract:

Competition law nowadays is becoming an increasingly important branch of law in the global society. The development of the global market, new technologies, and innovation requires a quick and effective response from the competition authorities in order to maintain effective competition on the market; thus to protect the consumers.

Competition law in the European Union has been a core competency since its foundation. The European Commission plays a central role in the development of competition policy and the enforcement of EU competition law. In order to protect effective competition in the single market, the Commission has faced the challenges of the dynamic market; thus responding quickly and effectively to the new conditions created by the development of industries, new technologies and global society.

In Macedonia, the development of competition is strongly influenced by the EU competition law. The entire competition law system is based on EU rules and standards.

This paper provides an analysis of national competition law vis-à-vis EU competition law, with a focus on merger control as one of the mechanisms for effective competition protection. Since there is a lack of academic discussion on the topic in Macedonia and in order to see where we stand and in which direction our national competition law goes, this paper will elaborate on competition policy and competition law in relation to merger control in particular.

In addition to the theoretical approach, the paper provides an analysis of merger control by the competition authorities in Macedonia and the European Union as well. This analysis provides an opportunity to draw conclusions and recommendations regarding the approach, policy and dedication to market mergers and acquisitions.

The European comparative perspective, both in terms of legislation and in its enforcement of competition law, provides relevant data on how much legislation is in place and in what direction merger control in Macedonia is going, in relation to EU merger control trends.

Finally, this paper makes a modest contribution to understanding the concept of protection from harmful concentrations, the level of development of competition law and competition policy in Macedonia.