The Spanish parliament has agreed to open up the country’s postal network to private competitors asits first step towards meeting conditions linked towards the EU’s 2009 liberalisation plan.
Friday’s decision breaking up the monopoly of state-owned Correos means private companieswill be able to pick up, handle, sort, transport and deliver mail to over 20 million households andbusinesses through access agreements with Correos.
“Conditions of access to the postal office network are approved and will facilitatenegotiation for operators and balance the inequality between the postal operators who want tocompete in the market,” a Correos statement said.
Correos said it would negotiate with all private operators in order to manage a seamlesstransition, but would need clarification on volumes, sorting, billing, franchises and quality.
In initial reactions, the two main associations representing private distribution companiesand international express operators welcomed the government decision, but stressed that any futureagreements should be based on transparent pricing and operating conditions.
