EU states agree on postal liberalisation plan

EU countries agreed yesterday to open their €88 billion postal markets to full competition from 2011, with 11 countries given a further two years to comply, EU president Portugal said. The decision is a setback for the European Commission, the EU's...

EU countries agreed yesterday to open their €88 billion postal markets to full competition from 2011, with 11 countries given a further two years to comply, EU president Portugal said.

The decision is a setback for the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, which had proposed stripping away the remaining barriers to competition from 2009.

The market for letters weighing up to 50 grams is currently shielded from competition. Mail above that weight is fully liberalised.

The measure has sparked protests by postal workers in many EU nations, particularly France, who fear job losses.

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