- Published: 24.05.2013.
Commission warns Croatia of weak points in postal services provision
The European Commission has warned Croatia to rectify imperfections in the implementation of the European acquis in the postal services sector as they are perceived as problems that can distort the market competition.
According to a letter which Director-General for the Internal Market and Services at the European Commission, Jonathan Faull, sent to the head of the Croatian mission to the European Union, Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, it is necessary to address two issues as soon as possible.
One of two key issues that require Croatia's immediate attention is finalising the separation of the cost accounting system of the designated universal service provider.
The other is about enforcing the principles of cost allocation and price regulation.
"The Commission is concerned that the apparent lack of effective application of these two regulatory instruments, if not addressed, will lead to serious distortions of competition on the market." - as was stated at the EC.
The Commission regrets that the Croatian Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Ministry "recently issued a very restrictive interpretation of the national postal legislation in relation to the organisation of the public tendering procedures," according to the letter into which Hina had an insight.
The Commission warns that this interpretation of national postal legislation is contrary to both the letter and the spirit of the postal acquis and that it can be viewed as an attempt to re-monopolise universal postal services intended to be provided through public tender procedures.
The Commission also understands that this interpretation is not shared by the Ministry of Economy, which is responsible for the implementation of the public procurement acquis.
(Hina)
According to a letter which Director-General for the Internal Market and Services at the European Commission, Jonathan Faull, sent to the head of the Croatian mission to the European Union, Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, it is necessary to address two issues as soon as possible.
One of two key issues that require Croatia's immediate attention is finalising the separation of the cost accounting system of the designated universal service provider.
The other is about enforcing the principles of cost allocation and price regulation.
"The Commission is concerned that the apparent lack of effective application of these two regulatory instruments, if not addressed, will lead to serious distortions of competition on the market." - as was stated at the EC.
The Commission regrets that the Croatian Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Ministry "recently issued a very restrictive interpretation of the national postal legislation in relation to the organisation of the public tendering procedures," according to the letter into which Hina had an insight.
The Commission warns that this interpretation of national postal legislation is contrary to both the letter and the spirit of the postal acquis and that it can be viewed as an attempt to re-monopolise universal postal services intended to be provided through public tender procedures.
The Commission also understands that this interpretation is not shared by the Ministry of Economy, which is responsible for the implementation of the public procurement acquis.
(Hina)