José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, stressed at the European Competition Forum that the European competition policy has a key role in order to combat monopolies and protectionism, especially in the context of the currently economic crisis. He also underlined that Europe's future growth prospects depend on a rules-based Single Market that fosters openness and innovation.

The European Competition Forum celebrated on the 2 of February in Brussels had as a guest the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, who stressed in his speech that the fundamental role of the competition policy in providing credibility and coherence. He also showed himself aware of the criticism that sometimes the Commission faces for its decisions, however he reminded that European competition law is cited as a model of independence, coherence and objectivity. In 2009, a Commission's report already highlighted that Competition Policy helps to ride out the crisis.

Mr Barroso also highlighted in his speech entitled 'European Union Competition policy – a building block for growth and renewal' that Europe's future growth prospects depend on a rules-based Single Market that fosters openness and innovation. He focused on innovation because is a cornerstone of European growth agenda. He said that it is about turning new ideas into growth for EU companies, jobs for citizens and well-being for societies.

The President of the Commission also underlined that competition policy offers some of the clearest examples of what Europe can do for its economy. Competition policy is fundamental in terms of strengthening and underpinning Commission's key actions to boost growth and jobs. He also added that by ensuring a level playing field, it promotes stability and can help to foster the confidence in markets.