Concilitation Committee: Agreement on Postal Services

The Conciliation Committee reached an agreement on 18 November 1997 on the Directive concerning common rules for development of the internal market of Community postal services and improvement of quality of service.

It establishes common rules to ensure greater harmonization of the conditions governing the postal sector in the Community. It also provides for the gradual and controlled liberalization of the market while guaranteeing a universal postal service to all users throughout the Member States. Furthermore, the directive aims to improve the quality of service.

The proposal was first published by the European Commission on 26 July 1995. A common position between the member states was reached on 18 December 1996, following difficult discussions and the intervention of the European Council. The European Parliament adopted its position regarding the draft text on 16 September 1997.