EU partially liberalises postal sector

European Union ministers voted on 15 October 2001 to increase competition in the postal sector over the next five years after twelve years of negotiations. Ministers agreed that the market for letters should be further opened in 2003 and 2006 but complete liberalisation should await further legislation. However, the measures agreed fall short of previous ambitions. According to industry groups, the average weight of letters in the EU is 20 grams and the agreement will open up the market for letters weighing more than 100g in 2003, with the limit falling to 50g in 2006. Almost all outgoing cross-border mail will be liberalised from 2003.