The agreement for the operation of the brokerage-insurance company Post Insurance Brokerage S.A. was signed by the Chairman of TT Hellenic Postbank, Mr. Angelos Filippidis and the Managing Director of ELTA, Mr. Stamatis Mavros.
Read MoreOn behalf of the European Commission, DG Internal Market and Services, ECORYS has carried out this study from November 2007 to August 2008. The objective of the study is to identify, quantify and assess the main developments of the postal sector in relation to the application of the Postal Directive, in particular with regard to regulatory, economic, social, consumer and employment aspects, as well as quality of service and technology developments.
Read MoreCountry sheet: Greece – Main developments in the postal sector (2006-2008)
Read MoreFurther to the European Commission high level conference on Postal services on 24 June, 11 signatory postal operators from Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland and Slovakia express their support for the next steps towards Full Market Opening (FMO) of the European postal market under the balanced conditions embodied in the third postal directive.
The two key principles for the signatory operators are first and foremost the creation of mechanisms able to ensure the financing of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) all over the EU territory under FMO conditions, and the establishment of a true level playing field in all aspects, including social conditions.
In this perspective, the Member States have the responsibility to ensure balanced national regulatory frameworks that take into account the two mentioned principles.
Confronted with an uncertain economical environment where the question of financing or sharing the universal service is still under debate, the signatory operators call for special attention to the sustainability of the universal service and the postal market in its entirety. A study carried out in 2007 by the independent consulting firm Oxera demonstrated that the fundamental policy question to be asked is how the universal service obligations are to be financed.
The 11 signatory operators will continue to contribute to the implementation process in a positive and constructive manner, and with strong vigilance upon safeguarding the provision of universal service and the implementation of a level playing field.
Read MoreGreece plans to begin the sale of its state-run postal company Hellenic Post (ELTA) this year, ahead of a deregulation of its postal services market, a government official said on Thursday.
Greece has been selling down stakes in state-controlled companies to strengthen the economy’s competitiveness and to help pay down public debt, which at about 95 percent of GDP, is one of the highest in the euro zone. The conservative government was examining two different ways of privatising ELTA but no decision had been made yet, Communications Ministry general secretary George Anastasopoulos told Reuters in an interview.
“Our aim is to begin procedures to find a partner for ELTA in 2008, or list company shares on the Athens bourse and then find a strategic investor,” he said.
Greece is targeting 1.6 billion euros in revenues from the sale of ports, airports and public companies this year, but has only raised about 450 million euros so far.
Analysts estimate that the government could garner a further 150 million euros if it sells up to 20 percent of ELTA.
“All over Europe we are seeing moves to attract investors and strategic partners in the (postal) sector, and we want to see what interest exists in ELTA. It’s our final chance to get ready before the market frees up,” said Anastasopoulos.
A strategic partner for ELTA’s courier subsidiary should be announced early next year, he added. Two companies out of an initial dozen that expressed interest will be asked to present binding bids.
He did not name the suitors but Greek media reported DHL, UPS, Speedex, TNT and Imperio-Star were in the race.
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