B4-0984, 0987 and 1043/95

Resolution on the implementation of a single market for postal services

The European Parliament,

-having regard to Rule 40(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

-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 thereon on 22 January 1993, 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 its subsequent resolutions of 25 June 1993 and 29 October 1993 on postal services,

-having regard to the role postal services play in social cohesion,

A.whereas the Council has asked the Commission to submit the legislative framework for the implementation of a single market for postal services,

B.whereas the Council also intends to adopt a further resolution on the terminal dues in the postal services and the Council's Presidency has declared this sector one of its priorities,

1.Underlines, once again, the vital importance of the postal services in the EU from both the economic and the social aspect, and reaffirms its attachment to the defence and promotion of a public service of quality which can respond better to the interests of users and staff;

2.Calls on the Commission to follow its recommendation and propose, as soon as possible, a single legal framework on the basis of Article 100a of the EC Treaty, in order to respect fully the part of the Council and the European Parliament therein;

3.Stresses the fact that the Commission should have submitted its proposal as long ago as 1993 and that this long delay should be construed as failure to act on the part of the Commission, and consequently as giving Parliament the right to request formally the Commission to submit the appropriate proposal, pursuant to Article 138b of the EC Treaty;

4.Invites the Commission to propose a clear legal and chronological framework which will provide transparent conditions for implementation by the Member States;

5.Urges the Commission to define in its proposal:

-the universal service;

-the areas covered by reserved sector;

-the minimum standards required for the quality and harmonization of postal services;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the relevant trade unions.