Arthur Rochlin, Partner of the Law firm “YUST”, has become a founder of the Non-Commercial Partnership “Support for the Development of Competition.”

The constituent meeting of the Non-Commercial Partnership “Support for the Development of Competition”, that unites leading lawyers in the sphere of antimonopoly law, and economists specializing in matters of competition, took place on 23 May 2007.

In accordance with the adopted Charter of the Partnership, the main directions of its activity shall be as follows: - The creation of an effective practice of application of antimonopoly legislation in cooperation with Russian antimonopoly bodies; - Support for constructive dialogue between the business world and Russian antimonopoly bodies on matters of competition; - Participation in law-making activity on matters concerning competition, etc.

It is expected that the members of NCP “Support for the Development of Competition” shall be both physical entities (professional lawyers and economists specializing in the sphere of competition) and legal entities – professional associations, including law firms, research organizations, etc.

The constituent meeting included the election of the General Council of the Partnership, among whom was Partner of the Law firm “YUST”, Arthur Rochlin. Yevgeni Voyevodin, a senior lawyer with the firm “CMS Cameron McKenna LLP”, was elected Chairman of the General Council.

Yevgeni Voyevodin noted that the constitutive documents of the NCP “Support for the Development of Competition” shall be submitted for state registration in the near future, and the newly-formed organization shall commence work. Moreover, the General Council shall immediately set about developing its work plans that will be presented for general discussion at the first General Assembly of Members, the highest governing body of the Partnership.

Commenting on the creation of NCP “Support for the Development of Competition”, the Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, Igor Artemyev, stressed that the FAS welcomes the formation of this association. “Similar organizations of specialists on the laws on competition and competition policy already exist in many countries,” he said. “Practice has shown that their cooperation with antimonopoly bodies has a positive effect on the development of competition.” Consequently, I. Artemyev stated that the FAS is ready to offer its assistance to the NCP “Support for the Development of Competition” and looks forward to long-term and mutually satisfying cooperation.