European postal market liberalisation delayed

Following a vote on Monday night, the European Parliament Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), overwhelmingly voted in support of a series of compromise amendments to the European Commission's proposals for a third Postal Services Directive - the latest set of proposals on the liberalisation of the European postal market.

The effects of the proposed amendments are numerous, and include delaying full liberalisation until 1 January 2011 for most member states, and until 1 January 2013 for newer member states and those with a particularly difficult topography. The previous proposals set a date of 1 January 2009 for full liberalisation.

The outcome of the proposals is still to be finalised, with the European Parliament having to vote on the new proposals in July. If the vote is passed, the Commission will then need to develop a common position to be considered by the Council in October and - in a best case scenario – be adopted by Parliament before the end of the year.

Postwatch is disappointed that it has been necessary to compromise in this way; we believe that member States have already had plenty of time to prepare for full market opening. However, we welcome the proposal to fix a firm date which will commit everyone to postal liberalisation.

Recently Jim Fitzpatrick, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations and Postal Services, spoke about European liberalisation at the annual Postcomm Forum. A copy of his key-note speech can be found here.