Romania's Competition Council wins court battle with oil company

Romania’s High Court of Cassation and Justice has confirmed that the fuel distribution company Mol Romania broke the competition law by participating in a cartel agreement, along with other companies active on the fuel market. The court rejected Mol’s challenge of a fine from Romania’s Competition Council. The decision is final. However, the court reduced the fine imposed upon the company by the Competition Council from EUR 18 million to EUR 14.3 million. “We are optimistic about the other trials with the oil companies; this was the first irrevocably settled case out of the six which are now rolling at the High Court of Cassation and Justice,” said Bogdan Chiritoiu, president of the Competition Council. At the end of 2011, the Competition Council sanctioned six oil companies with total fines worth EUR 205 million, for closing a cartel agreement. OMV Petrom got the biggest fine, of EUR 113 million. Rompetrol, Lukoil and Eni were also sanctioned. editor@romania-insider.com