The Portuguese competition authority, along with its counterparts from Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Ireland, and the Netherlands, has issued a statement highlighting the critical role of competition in enhancing the competitiveness of the EU industry. They stress that a strong competitive environment is essential for maintaining the sustainability of the EU's social market economy model.

The European Commission's recent 'Competitiveness Compass' outlines an action plan aimed at realizing the vision for Europe as presented in the Letta and Draghi reports. The authorities assert that achieving the EU's ambitious goals will require increased collaboration among Member States and well-considered policy measures.

There is an ongoing debate regarding the balance between competition and the realization of scale economies, particularly in the electronic communications sector. The authorities argue that the notion that strict competition rules hinder investment and innovation is misguided. They emphasize that competition law enforcement is vital for ensuring fair outcomes and preventing harmful changes in market structure.

Evidence shows that robust merger control can lead to the entry of new players, resulting in lower prices, improved quality, and increased investments. The authorities acknowledge that while service competition is beneficial, it cannot compensate for a lack of competing infrastructure providers, which can negatively impact service quality and innovation.

The statement also highlights the importance of scrutinizing mergers within Member States to protect competition. The authorities assert that while cross-border mergers can be pro-competitive and beneficial for the Single Market, they must not compromise national competition.

In conclusion, the competition authorities reaffirm their commitment to promoting competitive markets, advocating for the removal of barriers to entry, and ensuring that competition law enforcement remains a priority to foster innovation and economic growth across all sectors.