"Competition is the pillar of a free social order", said Federal Minister of Economics and Technology and Council President Michael Glos on the occasion of today's opening of the 13th International Cartel Conference and the 14th European Competition Day in Munich. According to the Minister, the prosperity that we are enjoying in Germany would be unthinkable without competition.
Federal Minister of Economics Glos pointed out the significance of competition also at the European level: "In Europe freedom and competition have for 50 years now been the driving force for the integration of the national economies." Competition is also the right answer to globalisation. Federal Minister of Economics Glos: "Europe is a first-rate global player and does not have to fear global competition". Instead of protectionism Europe needed competition and a trade policy characterised by international openness and freedom of movement.
This is also why the Minister calls for the lifting of the letter monopoly in Germany: "Pursuant to the Postal Act, the letter monopoly will be lifted by 31 December 2007. It is not planned to amend this Act. We need open postal markets in all EU countries. The opening of markets results in lower prices, a greater diversity and higher quality: This also applies to postal markets".
The speech of the Federal Minister of Economics will soon be available on our homepage: www.bmwi.de.
