A new Regulation on Active Cooperation for Detecting Cartels (“Regulation”) in Turkey entered into force on 16 December 2023. The Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) also held a helpful webinar on the topic, highlighting the differences between the old and new regulation. In this article, we highlight two changes that we consider to be the most important: (i) applicants are now required to submit documents that contribute added value; and (ii) applications from cartel facilitators are now explicitly welcomed. Lastly, we present an overview of the conditions for full immunity and for reductions in administrative monetary fines.

This year several employment law rules of practical relevance will change in Hungary. These changes will have different entry into force dates, and are all briefly summarised below.

We are witnessing an important advancement in the field of employment administration in Hungary. Starting from 1 January 2024, the Act on the Promotion of Employment and Unemployment Benefits was amended, introducing the obligation for employers to issue an employment certificate following the termination of employment.

Albania is currently contemplating the revision of its existing legislation on industrial property currently regulated by one single law i.e., Law no. 9947, dated 7.7.2008 “On Industrial Property”, as amended. The existing law governs all domains of industrial property and business secrets, including patents of invention, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications.

Changes to the Croatian Labor Act, governing work for digital platforms, took effect on January 1, 2024. Croatia opted to regulate platform work before the formal adoption of the EU Platform Work Directive. What are the main novelties?

As of 13 January 2024, a new government decree amends the provisions of the clearance procedure of the Government Decree on certain foreign direct investments (“FDI”). The amendment grants the Hungarian State a right of first refusal in respect of acquisitions of strategic companies whose main or additional registered activity is electricity production and pursue solar power plant-related activity that are to be acquired by foreign investors.

On 8 January 2024, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine issued the order "On Measures to Reduce Mutual Debts on the Electricity Market" (the "Order"), which sets out the methods for dealing with the situations where market participants have unpaid bills to each other. The purpose of the Order is to stabilize the operation of the electricity market and reduce debts in its specific segments.

Early-stage startups often face a significant challenge due to their very limited runway – as usually they burn money faster than they are able to acquire funding – which makes external capital crucial for sustainability. From the perspective of potential investors determining the worth of these startups is a key factor in deciding whether to invest or not into the specific project which is complex and time consuming, a luxury startups often lack.

By an increasing development of digital technologies, and especially following the recent COVID-19 global pandemic, many employers in Bosnia and Herzegovina have started to implement remote working in their work regime. Depending on the needs of their businesses, some employers have implemented a hybrid regime (i.e., a combination of work from the employer’s premises and remote work), while some have completely switched to remote work regime. Generally, remote work in B&H is attractive for employers, due to cost cutting (e.g. lower lease fees, lower utility costs), but also due to higher employee satisfaction as it supports work-life balance.

On 30 November 2023 Bulgarian Commission for Protection of Competition (the “CPC”) finally published draft of new decision on group exemption of certain categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices with effect on national markets (the ”Draft”), such as: vertical agreements and practices, agreements and practices in the motor vehicle sector, specialisation and R&D agreements and practices as well as agreements for transfer of technologies, from the ban under article 15 (1) of the Competition Protection Act (the “CPA”). The latter reflects article 101 (1) of the TFEU.

The digitalisation of the Hungarian tax system has reached another important milestone: after lengthy preparatory work (and a few setbacks), the e-VAT system was launched on 1 January 2024, on a voluntary basis, for now.

Ukraine is actively gearing up for the imminent post-war reconstruction, a major undertaking to restore the infrastructure destroyed by hostilities. An integral aspect of the preparatory measures involves enhancing the legal framework to establish favourable conditions for attracting private investments into the extensive reconstruction.

Cryptocurrency has been gaining momentum in the recent decade all over the world, including Bulgaria. On one hand, the development of block chain technology and the wide spreading digitalisation in almost every sphere of human life reasonably produced new revolutionary payment means along with the traditional good old money. On the other hand, cryptocurrency rapidly became a symbol of freedom as not being issued and accepted by any central bank or credit institution as well as being easily accessible via Internet literally by every person.

On 21 December 2023 the Moldovan Parliament adopted significant amendments to the Law No.77/2016 on Information Technology Parks („IT Parks Law”) positioning Moldova as an attractive destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). These amendments notably extend the eligibility criteria for IT Park residents, offering particular advantages to export-oriented BPO service providers.

With its announcement dated 10.01.2024, the Competition Authority imposed an administrative fine of TL 4,796,152.96  per day (on the basis of its gross revenues in 2022) on META Economic Unity commencing from 12.12.2023 until the Final Compliance Remedy is submitted to the Competition Authority. 

The Hungarian Parliament adopted a new act on the rules of the entry and residence of third-country nationals on 12 December 2023.

In a significant development, a provisional agreement between the Council presidency and the European Parliament has set the stage for a proposed EU law targeting businesses involved in waste generation, operation, or disposal. The agreement, which took place late last year, reflects a commitment to stricter penalties for environmental crimes, doubling the number of offences from the soon-to-be-replaced Directive 2008/99/EC.

The Ministry of Economy has extended the eligible period for electricity and gas price compensations. In addition to 2023, it will also be possible to apply for compensation for the period up to 30 June 2024. Applications can be submitted until 15 June 2024.