Press Release: EU driven reforms of services of general interest benefit consumers and improve performance

The European Commission published on 22 December 2005 its latest report on reforms of services of general economic interest (SGEI). The report finds that reforms of telecommunications, air transport and postal services, have produced clear benefits for European consumers in terms of lower prices, choice and better services. However, current progress is slow and there remain obstacles to competition and to the completion of the European single market. These issues should be tackled by both the Commission and Member States. Increasing competition in these industries is also key for the Member States that joined in 2004 in order to avoid any inflationary pressures resulting from the catching-up process.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Internal Market: Update on the Internal Market: Economic Reform (Cardiff Process): Evaluation of the Performance of Network Industries Providing Services of General Economic Interest (2005 Report) http://ec.europa.eu/comm/internal_market/en/update/economicreform/docs/2005/051220_report_final_en.pdf

---