Rules of Competition and East-West Integration

Integration of the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) into the European Union (EU) has become more a question of timing than a question whether it will or should be made. Since one of the objectives of the EU is to establish a system ensuring competition in the internal market is not distorted the question arises if the CEECs can be integrated into such a competitive system. Which rules of competition are appropriate to improve the economic integration of the CEECs and to promote at the same time the enduring transition process? The relationship between competition policy and East-West integration is the general theme of the contributions in this book.
One central issue of this volume is the way of integrating the Central and East European countries into the EU and supporting their development by liberalizing trade with the EU. A second issue is the implementation of a market economy in the post-socialist countries of Eastern Europe and in particular the aspect of implementing competition rules at a time when markets are just emerging. The twelve selected papers are organized in three sections: -Competition Policy and Integration (part 1); -Competition Policy During Transition (part 2); -Competition, Trade Policy and East-West-Integration (part 3).

List of Tables and Figures. 1. Introduction and Overview; M. Fritsch, H. Hansen. Part I: Competition Policy and Integration. 2. East-West Integration and Competition Policy; M. Fritsch, H. Hansen. 3. Deepening and Widening of the EU: A Contradiction? J. Stehn. 4. Competition Policy and Cohesion; D. Mayes. Part II: Competition Policy During Transition. 5. Competition Policy During Transformation in the East German Economy: The Role of the Federal Cartel Office; K. Hansen. 6. Appropriate Rules of Competition During Transition: The Case of Poland; E. Modzelewska. 7. Hungarian Competition Policy During Transition and Competition Policy for Integration; C. Kovács. 8. Competition Policy and Market Restructuring in the Hungarian Transition; A. Török. Part III: Competition, Trade Policy, and East-West Integration. 9. European Community Competition Rules in Economies in Transition: The Case of Poland; P. Nicolaides, J. Mathis. 10. Trade Distortions and the Use of Trade Policy Instruments Towards the CEECs by the EC and the US; G.H. Welge. 11. Competition Policy, the Regions and the Central and Eastern European Countries; T. Frazer. 12. Europe Agreement Competition Policy for the Long Term: An Accession Oriented Approach; P. Holmes, J. Mathis. 13. Policy on the Way to Integrating the CEECs: Summary and Some Conclusions; M. Fritsch, H. Hansen. Author Index. Subject Index.