The European Commission has warned Germany, France and six othercountries about obstacles to fair postal competition in their respective national markets,according to media reports.
EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, whoseresponsibilities include the postal sector, sent a letter in mid-March to eight countries callingon them to “look into specific issues” in their postal markets. These were Germany, France,Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Poland and Slovakia, according to Reuters newsagency.
Germany was singled out for criticism over the introduction of a minimum wagein the postal sector and the continued VAT exemption for Deutsche Post for mail and small packages.The commissioner called on the German government to explain how it planned to “institute faircompetition … under these conditions”.
German transport newspaper DVZ reported that the government wouldaddress the issue in a cabinet meeting after Easter. Economics minister Michael Glos favours endingthe VAT exemption but is opposed by other ministers, including finance minister PeerSteinbrück.
TNT said last week it had filed a formal complaint with the EuropeanCommission over Germany’s minimum postal wage legislation. TNT Post Germany earlier won a courtvictory on the issue, but the legislation remains place pending a legal appeal by thegovernment.
Austria was criticised for not making mailboxes accessible enough for postalcompetitors, according to Die Presse.
No reasons were reported for the criticism of the othercountries.
