The Estonian capital Tallinn hosted last 10-11 May the 36th plenary meeting of the European Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP), attended by representatives of 32 member countries. Also present, as observers, were the European Commission (EC), the Federation of European Direct Marketing (FEDMA), PostEurop (PE), UNI Postal, Postwatch, Time Warner and the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
Reports were submitted from the Management Committee, the CERP/European Commission Contact Committee and the Good Regulatory Practices Committee, along with reports from the working groups on Market Statistics/Surveillance, Economic Issues and Policy Issues, and from the respective project teams. The UPU International Secretary reported on the progress of work by the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council. The UPU Director General gave a presentation on postal strategy trends since the Bucharest Congress and the information society. Also noteworthy was the European Commission's report on the current situation with respect to certain regulatory issues, to wit: application of postal directives, third postal directive, services directive, World Trade Organisation, VAT and statistics.
A number of presentations were also given, specifically: ''Nairobi World Postal Strategy'', by the co-ordinator of the UPU's Nairobi postal strategy team; ''What Consumers Want to See in a Liberalised Market'', by Postwatch and Time Warner; ''Objectives and Considerations Concerning the Environment'', by PostEurop; ''Changing Address Data and Environmental Pressure to Cut Paper Use'', by FEDMA; and ''The Importance of Universal Service for the Individual and the Citizen'', by the Belgian regulator (IBPT). These presentations underscore the widespread idea that it is rather hard to anticipate an immediate balance between the operation of a liberalised market and regulatory intervention. On the other hand, consumer needs are more likely to be met in a market where they have more ability to choose and where information is easily accessible. Note also the growing concern about the environment and the postal operators' fundamental role in this area.
The next plenary meeting will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 4-6 December 2007.
