SECOND HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE ON POSTAL SERVICES IN VALENCIA
Spanish government minister José Blanco and Vice-President of the European Commission, Joaquín Almunia, are among the participants
On the 29th and 30th April, Valencia hosts the Second High-Level Conference on Postal Services as one of the activities included in the Spanish Presidency of the European Union. Just eight months before most member states open up their postal markets to competition, as they apply the third Postal Directive, this Conference serves as a forum in which all parties can discuss the future of postal markets in the EU.
The Mayoress of Valencia initiated the proceedings at the opening event, which was also addressed by the Spanish Minister of Public Works, José Blanco; the Vice-President of the European Commission and the Commissioner for Competition, Joaquín Almunia; the European Commission for Markets and Services, Michel Barnier; and the Director General of Markets and Service, Guido Berardis.
Mayoress Rita Barberá emphasized the importance of this forum at which delegates will discuss issues such as cross-border e-commerce, international postal regulation and very specifically, the need for universal, efficient, fast and accessible postal services that help to improve “the efficiency of government in its relationship with the public”.
Rita Barberá expressed her satisfaction that “Valencia City Council has already started to implement the EU directive and comply with it, putting postal services out to tender and seeking efficacy and efficiency in cost control. The authorities are also required by law to give public notification of many of their actions by post.
The Mayoress pointed out that a single European framework must bring advantages and opportunities that will benefit all members of the public and all layers of government in each of the member states. She also stressed that the new legislation should be put into practice at as little cost to society as possible.
Facing an auditorium of postal service experts from every country in the European Union (the 16 in which the directive will come into force on the 31st December and those that requested a moratorium), Rita Barberá expressed her commitment “to make e-government remain a reality at Valencia City Council and continue to benefit all members of the public, as it allows an every greater number of administrative procedures and creates a town hall that is open, electronically-speaking, 24/7, every day of the year”.
She also expressed her conviction that an advanced postal service that works alongside the advancement of new technologies and the unstoppable expansion of e-commerce and e-mail will help “Europeans to feel ever closer to each other”.
