The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) and the Competition Authority of the Republic of Albania have entered into a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation.

With this MoU, the two authorities recognise the common values underlying their regulations in the field of competition policy and competition enforcement, namely to exchange best practices on the economics of antitrust and merger control, among others, and to share results of studies and other published knowledge regarding competition policy.

The two authorities aim to create favourable conditions for the development of bilateral relations, which underlines the role of competition in the development of the market economy. In addition, both authorities will strive to develop and share information on major areas of interest including employee exchange programmes and experts' training in such a way as to benefit from mutual experience in the field of investigations regarding violation of competition rules.

This MoU will provide a formal basis and framework for cooperation between the two authorities, including the exchange of information on market developments and decisions adopted. The MoU also addresses the disposition of both authorities to organise, from time to time, high-level meetings with a view to identify areas and activities of common interest.

The MoU was signed by Helga Pizzuto, chairperson MCCAA and Juliana Latifi, chairperson for the Competition Authority of the Republic of Albania, in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista, Member of Parliament Clayton Bartolo and Godwin Mangion, director general for the Office of Competition within the MCCAA.

During their visit to Albania, the Maltese delegation met with various dignitaries including Besnik Dervishi, Commissioner for Information and Data Protection, Member of Parliament Gamoz Ruçi, chairman of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania and Archbishop George Anthony Frendo.