The FFPI welcomes the Commission’s decision to investigate State aid to the Polish Post
The Free and Fair Post Initiative (FFPI) welcomes the decision
taken yesterday by the European Commission to launch a formal investigation on the
compensation for the incumbent Polish Postal Operator, Poczta Polska, for providing the
universal postal service. In particular, the Commission will verify whether the Polish Post
has correctly applied the proper cost allocation principles in evaluating the cost of the
universal service and if there has been any overcompensation that might benefit the
Poczta Polska at the expense of consumers and of competitors.
“I fully share the view of Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes who had commented
that ‘if the aid goes beyond what needed for the provision of the universal service, Polish
citizens will lose out by having their tax money spent unnecessarily and by having a less
competitive market for liberalised postal services’”, said FFPI President, Philippe
Bodson. “It is key for postal users and for citizens that state aid rules are applied fully
and straightforwardly”, he concluded.
The FFPI is encouraged by the Commission’s resolve in tackling unlawful State aid in
the postal sector, where distortions are still too frequent, and wishes to see the reform of
EU State aid policy, focusing funding in areas and cases where it is really needed,
executed soon.
The Free and Fair Post Initiative (FFPI) is a unique European initiative that brings together users
and competitors of the public postal operators who strongly believe in the benefit of a liberalised
and more competitive postal market. Through its membership, the FFPI currently represents
more than 7,1 million companies. The FFPI’s key objectives are to secure a final date for full
liberalisation of postal services at the latest in 2009 and a fair playing field in the postal sector to
prevent public postal monopolies to turn into private ones.
For more information, visit the FFPI Web site www.freefairpost.com or contact Valeria Fagone.
Tel: 32-2-777.05.35. Fax: 32-2-777.05.36. E-mail: [email protected].
