National mail delivery monopolies in the European Union will be dismantled by 2011, with postal companies free to operate to any of the EU’s 27 countries, according to wire service reports.
A group of nine new EU member states, Greece and Luxembourg will get two more years to prepare for a full opening of the delivery of letters under 50 grams (1.75 ounces), under the plan that passed the European Parliament on Thursday.
The plan calls for a universal public service ensuring that every European gets at least one delivery and collection a day, five days a week, even after rival companies move into the market. The service will be guaranteed and can be subsidized by governments if they lose money.
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