23 May 2002

EU should help resolve issues relating to public postal network access for 3rd parties.

Action should be taken at European Union level to resolve key issues relating to public postal network access for third parties.

That was one of the key suggestions put forward by a leading European postal industry executive during discussions at last week’s (May 14/15) annual World Mail & Express Europe Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, organised by UK-based Triangle Management Services.

Martin Vial, chairman of French postal organisation La Poste, made his comments during a presentation which basically argued the merits of some continuing regulation of the European postal market alongside current rapid change and innovation.

'Left to its own devices, the market is likely to come to decisions which could in the long-term be detrimental to the public and general interests. For that reason, regulation of the market is utterly necessary,' he argued.

Referring to European Commission (EC) plans for further liberalisation of the European postal sector, Vial went on to state that he was 'delighted' the Commission was leaning towards a text which offered a number of guarantees in terms of defining universal mail services.

'However, nothing is perfect. I believe some of the guarantees provided must be strengthened. In my opinion, the concept of universal postal service should require homogenous implementation across Europe,' he said.

Continuing that theme, Vial said he 'regretted' the EC plans left a number of 'vital' issues still in the dark. Included among them were the issues of third party access to public postal networks and tariff equalisation.

'The rules and regulations on these two points will be very important for the business of traditional postal operators,' he argued. 'The EC needs to clarify them.'

Triangle Contacts:

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For further information, contact Michael MacClancy at Triangle Management Services, telephone +44 (0)870 950 7900 .
 

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