A European Union (EU) conference on economic growth and better competitiveness in Europe opened in Copenhagen on Thursday.

The one-day meeting, titled "European Competition and Consumer Day," discusses how consumers impact competition on the markets, how to overcome barriers to competition, and how to better enforce competition rules.

"It is of vital importance for growth that we succeed in strengthening competition in Europe," said Denmark's Minister for Business and Growth Ole Sohn.

"With this conference, the Danish EU presidency focuses on the interaction between efficient competition and active consumer behavior," he added in a press statement.

Denmark currently holds the six-month long rotating presidency of the EU.

The European Commission says vibrant competition and active consumers are vital in solving Europe's productivity challenge. It adds competition suffers when consumers are insecure about their rights when engaging in trade and commerce across borders of the 27-member EU bloc.

Several European countries have already updated and liberalized anticompetitive regulations so as to increase competition, and the conference will take these efforts as a starting point for its discussions.

The conference also debates priorities in deregulation of EU markets, streamlining of EU public procurement rules, and how to enforce better compliance with the EU Competition Act.

In keeping with the EU's focus on developing a digital single market for goods and services in Europe, delegates will explore online and digital opportunities for businesses and consumers.

High-level speakers at the conference include EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, EU Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli, and Minister Sohn.