Drive to end EU postal monopolies ‘litmus test’ for EU open markets

The European Commission put forward a proposal, 18 October 2006, to open EU postal markets fully to competition by 2009, in line with the agreed target date set out in the current Postal Directive. On the basis of extensive research, the Commission believes that this is the best way to maintain universal service while further improving quality and choice for EU consumers and businesses.

Plans to abolish the last monopolies in the European Union's €90bn market for postal services will be a 'litmus test' for the region's commitment to open markets and economic reform, the European Commission said. The warning by Charlie McCreevy, the EU internal market commissioner, highlighted the political sensitivity of his drive to open the postal market to full, cross-border competition by 2009.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/06/1419: Postal services: Commission proposes full market opening by 2009 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/1419&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: MEMO/06/383: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Postal Services http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/383&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: DG Internal market and Services: Postal Services http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/post/index_en.htm

BBC News, 18.10.06: EU proposes open postal markets http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6060328.stm

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