POSTAL SERVICES : PARLIAMENT ADOPTS PROPOSALS FOR FULL POSTAL LIBERALISATION.

The long history of postal services liberalisation, which began with a first set of proposals in 1991, is almost complete. In a second reading on 31 January, the European Parliament adopted, unchanged, a report by Markus Ferber (EPP-ED, Germany) on the full liberalisation of postal services. The plenary follows the adoption of the second reading report, on 18 December, by the EP's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and a first plenary vote in July 20071. Accordingly, postal markets also under 50 grammes are now set for full liberalisation by 31 December 2010, after final formal assent by the Council. This is two years later than in the European Commission's initial proposal of 1 January 2009.

"The postal service monopolies will end as from 2011. More competition will mean more choice for consumers," said Ferber. He said that consumers and service providers will profit from more competition and innovative products. The EP backs a reciprocity principle to prevent market distortions up until 31 December 2012. Operators may be denied licenses in other fully open markets if their home market makes use of transitional periods up until 31 December 2012.

Among the key points was the date for market opening: by 2011, two years later than the Commission had proposed. The following member states may postpone implementation until the end of 2012: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

The EP also adopted Ferber's compromise with respect to the universal service obligation (USO). USO entails that letters will be delivered and collected at least once a day, five days a week. The USO, with a uniform tariff, applies to all EU citizens, even those living in outlying and isolated areas. In order to finance the USO, and subject to scrutiny by the European Commission, member states may set up funds to which all postal service providers will have to contribute. Another financing method is direct provision by the state to an operator responsible for the additional costs of the universal service.

Parliament has also accepted the...

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