The Council of European Union (EU) Ministers of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy met in Luxembourg on 01 and 02 October 2007. Among the subjects under discussion were the following issues of relevance to the sector:
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Postal Services
The Council reached a political agreement on the proposal for a Postal Directive amending Directive 97/67/EC currently in force, safeguarding a common level of universal services and setting harmonised principles for the sector’s regulation across the countries. The approved proposal sets 31 December 2010 as a deadline for total liberalisation of the postal market, although an allowance has been made for a two year postponement of the measure until 31 December 2012 by certain countries – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Slovakia.
The draft Directive also includes a reciprocity clause, under which Member States that open up their postal markets completely may refuse to grant authorisation to postal operators operating in a Member State which maintains the reserved area until 31 December 2012.
At the same time there is a provision that the European Commission (EC) will provide assistance to Member States on the implementation of the new Directive, including on the calculation of any net cost of the universal service.
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Galileo
Regarding Galileo, the European satellite radio navigation system, the Council reaffirmed its value as a key project for the European Union, in line with the June 2007 conclusions, and acknowledged the work carried out by the EC. The Council reiterated the need to continue with the implementation of EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System) as a certified system in line with the most important requirements, so that the first services are available in 2008 and underlined that the full operation of Galileo in 2013 requires additional funding.
Finally the Council confirmed its intention to take an integrated decision on the European satellite radio navigation system before the end of the year.
The Council also received information on the Commission’s proposal for the decision on drawing up European rules for the selection and authorisation of Mobile satellite services (MSS) systems, as well as on Europe’s participation in the 2007 World Radiocommunications Conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Further information:
- Nota de imprensa do Conselho de Ministros dos Transportes, Telecomunicações e Energia, Assuntos debatido a 1 e 2 de Outubro de 2007 (versão provisória) http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/trans/96265.pdf
Related information on ANACOM's website:
- Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of Ministers https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=109901
- Galileo https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=109882
