Resumen
A competitive and well-functioning market is imperative for the efficiency of the economy. First, competitive markets help correct distorsions in the structure of production and thus raise productivity levels, and secondly, stronger competition provides an increased incentive for producers in the form of lower prices, higher quality and increased variety. Competition policy deals with the restriction of all non-economic behavior entities that cause market distorsions. The paper provides general features of the European Union competition policy, as well as its historical development, basic elements and methodological framework. Further, this paper provides reforms, tendencies in development and examples from the jurisprudence of the EU competition policy, with a special review of article 81 (prohibition of the restrictive agreements, cartels) and article 82 (prohibition of abuse market dominance) of the EC Treaty.Key Words: Competition policy, European Union, restrictive agreements.