Brussels, 12/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - It seems increasingly likely that European telecoms ministers will reach agreement in principle on 1 October on the review of the Post Directive (97/67/EC). The Portuguese presidency's draft compromise has been discussed three times by expert groups since the end of the summer holidays and is expected to form the basis of political agreement (see EUROPE 9495). Not all issues have yet been ironed out, however. Ministers still need to decide upon the tricky question of the timetable for opening up to competition the processing of letters weighing less than 50 grammes. European sources suggest that ahead of the Telecoms Council, the Portuguese presidency will be trying to clear up outstanding issues in the text, for example at the meeting of EU member states' representatives to the EU, COREPER, next week. Another expert source explains that a deal is likely to be struck due to the correlation of 'Parliament's wisdom' on the pace of liberalisation of national postal markets and the Council's views on how to fund a Universal Postal Service (UPS).
Taking account of the EP's views on first reading (see EUROPE 9466), the Portuguese Presidency is suggesting opening up the postal market by the start of 2011 at the latest, with the option of some member states having a two year period of grace. Member states opting to fully liberalise their postal markets by the start of 2013 at the latest will have to notify the Commission of their decision. The criteria laid down by the EP for being granted the extra two years, criteria described by some national delegations as failing to hold water, are not included in the text under discussion at the Council.
The Portuguese presidency's inclusion of an annex on how to calculate the net cost of public service obligations is expected to reassure member states concerned about having sufficient security to be able to finance universal service in a totally competitive postal market. The annex takes inspiration from the telecom services directive. Nevertheless, another issue remaining to be negotiated under the financing of UPS is whether express parcels delivery services will be able to benefit from the compensation funds that member states will be able to set up to fund UPS. (mb)