News Release

Mario Monti

March 18, 2004
No. 44/04

STATEMENT BY EU COMPETITION COMMISSIONER MARIO MONTI ON MICROSOFT CASE

Mario Monti, the EU’s Commissioner for Competition, issued the following statement in Brussels today regarding the Microsoft case:

“I'd just like to inform you that a settlement on the Microsoft case has not been possible.

"I therefore intend to propose to my colleagues in the Commission next Wednesday to adopt a decision, which has already received the unanimous backing of Member States.

"I would like to stress the constructive and co-operative spirit displayed by Microsoft in the last few weeks. I also want to acknowledge the high degree of professionalism of the members of the Microsoft team at all levels.

"We made substantial progress towards resolving the problems which have arisen in the past but we were unable to agree on commitments for future conduct.

"In the end, I had do decide what was best for competition and consumers in Europe. I believe they will be better served with a decision that creates a strong precedent.
It is essential to have a precedent which will establish clear principles for the future conduct of a company with such a strong dominant position in the market.”

Press Contacts:

Maeve O'Beirne 202-862-9549

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