Presidency regrets that EP disregards compromise on telecoms reform
The Czech EU Presidency regrets the fact that the European Parliament did not honour the agreement reached with the Council of the EU and the European Commission on the important overhaul of rules governing the telecoms market.
In a plenary vote on 6th May, the MEPs did not approve all of the parts of the so-called telecoms package in the form that their own negotiators had previously agreed with the Czech Presidency. EU Member States, on the other hand, were ready to fulfil their part of the deal.
By disregarding the compromise, the European Parliament, at least for the time being, paralysed a sweeping reform of EU’s telecoms market that would create conditions for further development of this sector and provide citizens with access to more reliable services. The Parliament’s decision is all the more serious give the key role that the telecoms sector plays in the European economy, and the potential that it has for mitigating the impact of the current economic crisis. That was why the Czech Presidency spared no effort to reach a balanced compromise, and successfully wrapped up the negotiations on 28 April.
It is evident that the whole package has become hostage to the pre-election campaign of a part of MEPs. The issue of internet users’ rights, which was behind the decision of the MEPs not to respect the compromise, is indeed important and needs to be discussed thoroughly. However, the telecoms package is not the right place to deal with it. The question has nothing to do with the aims and purposes of telecoms market reform.
The Czech Presidency and EU Member States now need to carefully consider the situation. Only then will the Council of the EU decide on the next steps. However, it is evident that the Parliament’s vote has seriously threatened the whole package.
Contact:
- Radek Honzák, Spokesperson for Coreper I, Stálé zastoupení ČR při EU
- tel.: +32 2 2139 245, mobile: +32 475 734 018; e-mail: radek_honzak@mzv.cz
Last update: 7.5.2009 12:13
