The 51st plenary meeting of the CERP of CEPT took place last 23-24 May in Tbilisi, Georgia, where representatives from the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and PostEurop (association of European postal operators) took part as observers.
The plenary meeting took note of the reports from meetings of the Steering Group (SG), which comprises the chair and vice-chairs of CERP and the respective working groups (WGs), the CERP/PostEurop contact committee and its working groups (WG UPU and WG Policy), and of the task force on communication
Work done by the UPU Group to coordinate European positions for UPU meetings stood out, especially preparations for the Union’s Congress, to be held later this year (September/October) in Istanbul. Also notable in this context was CERP’s intention, via WG UPU, to enhance coordination with PostEurop ahead of the Congress.
The UPU gave two presentations: (i) one specifically on preparations for the Congress, identifying main decisions from the February session of the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council which will have impact on same, proposals already received and some organisational and logistical aspects; and (ii) another on technical cooperation activities and the integrated plan for postal reform and UPU development, especially those concerning the countries of Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Following the presentation of a discussion document about CERP’s future, prepared by the SG after informally gathering some members’ opinions, and a short discussion on same, it was decided that a questionnaire should be drawn up and addressed to all members, indicating options to follow and seeking opinions on the issue. Results of the questionnaire should then serve as the basis for a more in-depth discussion at the next plenary meeting, with a view to determining the committee’s future.
The usual Forum also took place, focusing on preparations for the UPU Congress. Portugal was one of the speakers, along with the vice minister responsible postal services in Georgia, the UPU deputy director general, the chair of the PostEurop Council of Administration and a representative from Spain. The Forum was moderated by the Belgian representative. Several key topics that will be dealt with at the Congress were discussed: the Istanbul postal strategy, the terminal charges system and UPU reform, with the last raising the most interest.
The date and place of the next meeting have not been determined.
