Brussels, 15/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 May, during his visit to Bulgaria, Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy severely criticised those member states which are holding up full liberalisation of postal services by trying to postpone - until 2012? - the 2009 deadline contained in the European directive in force, and confirmed by the Commission in its legislative proposal of October 2006 (see EUROPE 9289). “In the postal sector we see that many countries and vested interests prefer to forego the advantages of the single market by protecting the monopoly holders,” he said. He went on: “One of the most heard arguments is that more time is needed. That the proposal is unfair on the countries that joined the European Union in the last couple of years and that have not had as much time to prepare as the others. Ironically this argument is pushed the most by some member states that were among the original six in 1957”. From among these six member states, he was getting at Belgium, France, Luxembourg and, perhaps, Italy. Hungary, Malta, Poland and probably Slovakia are likely to ask for more time to open postal services up to competition.
Mr McCreevy was critical of the attitude of those member states which “participated in the discussions and negotiations on all stages of market opening in the postal sector” and which “recognised and approved the changes that were necessary”, but then “failed” to implement these reforms on the ground. He wondered about the commitment to the success of the single market of those who opposed liberalisation of the postal sector by 2009. The commissioner, still firm in his belief that “protectionism simply does not work”, restated his conviction that “increased competition in the postal sector - a sector which is already restructuring in the face of new technological and commercial challenges - will raise efficiency and innovation and provide sustainable jobs”.
He also spoke about the general review of the European strategy on the single market, the conclusions of which are to be expected “this autumn” (see EUROPE 9371). Among the priority areas where initiatives might well be launched are “retail financial services” such as “bank accounts, mortgages, insurance and credit cards”, and also “professional services” like “health and pharmacy services”, he said. He also said he wanted an improvement in the way the single market is governed “both at the national and EU level”, and was, for instance, looking at involving consumers more closely in shaping policies and ways to improve problem-solving and redress systems. (mb)