26.09.2024, Brussels (Belgium)

Representatives from key stakeholders of the European postal sector came together in Brussels to discuss the future development of the sector and the need for a new postal regulatory framework.

Dan Sjoblom, ERGP Chair 2024-2025, presented the ideas for next year's work programme and stated: “The ERGP will provide the Commission and stakeholders with a wellelaborated report on the outline of the future regulatory framework in 2025. It is important that we take a forward-looking perspective in view of the developments in technology and fundamental changes in user demand.”

In her key note speech, Merete Clausen, Director at DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, put the current discussion in the longer and broader perspective of postal reform, and stated: “We have to look for objectives and policy reforms that contribute to competitiveness, sustainability, and cohesion.”

The draft results of the prospective study on the future of the postal sector was presented by Daniel Vencovsky (RPA) followed by a panel debate on the future perspectives. The key issues for future regulation was then lively discussed by a broad panel of stakeholders (BIPT - IBPT, TRADE UNION, Amazon, PostNord i Danmark, Deutsche Post und DHL, Geopost, UPS).

The final session highlighted the very current topic of security, safety and resilience of postal services. Igor Smelyansky, CEO of Ukrposhta, shared the Ukrainian experience on continuously keeping the postal service in full operation under the toughest of circumstances in video presentation. The important issues was then further developed in a panel discussion (European Commission DG Taxud, PostEurop, eBay).

Petros Galides, ERGP Vice-Chair (OCECPR) and Guillaume Roty, Deputy Head of Unit of the Investment and Public Services unit in the Directorate General for the Internal Market, concluded the Forum.

Petros Galides said: "The role played by postal services will continue to change. There may be different opinions on how the future regulation should look like; we all agree that this sector is vital and needs a future proof regulatory framework".

Guillaume Roty stated: “The Stakeholder Forum allows to exchange views in a transparent and direct manner across all the postal community. This is essential to build a shared diagnosis about the challenges of the sector and the priorities for the
work of the ERGP."

For EUROFEDOP, Secretary General Bert Van Caelenberg attended the meeting.