B3-0942 and 0944/93

Resolution on the single market for postal services

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the Commission Green Paper on the development of the single market for postal services (COM(91)0476),

-having regard to its resolution of 22 January 1993 on that Green Paper, in which it called on the Commission to draw up a package of proposals to establish a single market for postal services,

-having regard to the Commission Communication on the guidelines for the development of Community postal services, presented on 2 June 1993 and submitted to the Telecommunications Council of 16 June 1993 (COM(93) 0247),

A.whereas the Commission plans to draw up legislative proposals in the second half of 1993, and whereas it is at present considering Article 90(3) of the EEC Treaty as a possible legal basis for certain proposals for directives,

B.drawing attention to the economic and social importance of postal services (1.3% of GDP and 1 700 000 employees),

1.Urges the Commission to follow its recommendation that Article 100a of the EEC Treaty should be the sole legal basis for future proposals;

2.Emphasizes the conclusions of its resolution of 22 January 1993;

3.Calls on the Commission to consider proposing a single directive on the basis of Article 100a, in order to illustrate clearly the link between the definitions of a universal service and a reserved service and involve the European Parliament fully in the legislative process;

4.Calls on the Commission to carry out a study of the social impact of the development of the single market in the postal sector;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States and trade union organizations in the postal sector.