On September 8, a new EU-funded “Competition and State Aid Rules Alignment with EU Acquis” (COMPASA) Project was officially launched to bolster competition and State aid regulations in Ukraine. This three-year initiative will help the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) to align Ukraine’s legal framework with the EU standards.

“This new project will continue the fruitful cooperation between the EU and Ukraine to build a sound competition and State aid system in Ukraine in alignment with the EU practices. The project will engage renowned competition and State aid experts from the EU to help further strengthen Ukraine’s competition framework, enhance the independence of AMCU and help it effectively exercise its powers to protect businesses and consumers from anticompetitive practices in the market”, – said Chloé Allio, Head of Operations Section – Economic Cooperation, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment, the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

The COMPASA Project is expected to play a pivotal role in assisting Ukraine in meeting the requirements deriving from Ukraine`s status of candidate country to the accession in the EU. In the context of Ukraine’s perspective of EU membership, the Project will be instrumental in helping Ukraine implement the Commission Opinion on its accession preparedness concerning the competition framework and State aid control system. The Project encompasses two main substantial activity areas: competition – which includes antitrust and mergers’ control, vital for fostering fair competition and economic growth, and State aid – ensuring a robust framework for State aid control, promoting transparency, and facilitating Ukraine’s economic development. Additionally, the Project will offer support in the digitalization and communication of AMCU’s core functions, recognizing the importance of efficient communication in today’s context.

“Implementation of EU competition and State aid legislation is one of the key priorities of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. This is one of the conditions for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and a key to economic development. Based on this, Ukraine will promote its integration into the European market by creating a fair competitive environment that will ensure, on the one hand, equal conditions for business, future investments in the country, and, on the other hand, efficient spending of public funds,” said Olga Nechytailo, the AMCU’s State Commissioner.

While the main beneficiary will be the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, the Project will also provide guidance and support to other important institutional stakeholders such as Ukraine’s Parliament, Cabinet of Ministers (including the Government Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration), and significant State aid granting bodies. The project will facilitate open dialogue with the private sector, business associations, legal firms, universities and economic media. Their involvement is critical to ensure that transparent and efficient competition and State aid systems contribute to Ukraine’s wartime and post-war economic recovery and development efforts.

“Our Project goes beyond offering advice. We will provide on-the-ground support, expert guidance, and practical training to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine and other stakeholders” – said Stefan Sabau, the project team leader.

The COMPASA Project is a collaborative effort with the aim of advancing Ukraine’s alignment with EU standards. It exemplifies the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s journey towards full compliance with EU rules and standards.

Background information:

“Competition and State aid rules and practices alignment with the EU acquis” project will contribute to sustainable and equitable recovery and economic competitiveness of Ukraine through strengthened and EU compliant competition and State aid frameworks, aligned with requirements of Ukraine’s accession process towards the EU membership. It will be implemented in 2023-2026 by a consortium of WYG Consulting Ltd. and Romanian Competition Council.

For additional information, please contact the project team leader, Mr Stefan Sabau, at email address: stefan.sabau@sesar.inf.ua