The Commission is gearing up to deliver a proposal that would reimagine its postal systems to handle the meteoric rise in parcel deliveries.
The EU Delivery Act aims to address an outdated system that was designed for delivering letters, not packages. The proposal – which seeks to bring postal rules into a consolidated framework – will address whether traditional postal operators should bear the brunt of parcel packages, or if couriers such as Amazon and UPS should be asked to contribute to systems across the bloc.
Postal services have long been a pillar of the social system. Postal operators have had an obligation to serve entire countries – from remote villages to bustling cities. This also included delivering mail regardless of its profitability. To prop up the system, a consistent mass of letters was essential to making operations financially viable, but postal services have struggled in an era of declining printed mail.
The Delivery Act responds to this new reality. However, any framework will have to balance flexibility with varying needs and economic systems that exist across the Union.
Roundup
Commission rejects US attack on EU tech sovereignty – The European Commission has defended its upcoming tech sovereignty package against US accusations of “protectionism”. US ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, made the charge in an exclusive interview with Euractiv, warning that laws favouring EU tech providers could threaten the EU-US trade deal and urging the bloc to deregulate and partner with US tech providers instead.
Germany’s €5 billion green industry subsidy scheme approved – Berlin is extending an industry decarbonisation scheme championed by the Greens under the previous coalition government, with a new focus on carbon storage. In 2023, the German government created an ambitious scheme to support firms that propose cost-effective ways to decarbonise industrial production.
Water rules vs grid expansion – Parliament is considering revising core environmental legislation protecting EU lakes and rivers to clear the way for a rapid expansion of Europe’s electricity grid infrastructure and accommodate renewable power and storage. In December, the Commission presented a package of measures designed to bolster Europe’s power grid by speeding up the permitting process for new power lines.
Across Europe
Germany and Italy object to harmonising space governance – Germany and Italy have attacked plans to harmonise space market governance in a move that goes against the bloc’s single market principle. Germany suggested making the EU Space Agency’s market surveillance framework voluntary, while Italy suggested making components of the market oversight apparatus voluntary but keeping mandatory EU-level authorisation requirements.
Russia claims Ukraine launched major drone strikes – Russian Defence said it shot down 347 Ukrainian drones overnight after Moscow rejected Kyiv’s ceasefire earlier in the week as tensions rise over safety at Russia’s upcoming Victory Day celebrations. Zelenskyy countered that Russia had not ceased its own military activities, saying that “Ukraine will act symmetrically.”
Ryanair closes operations from Thessaloniki – Ryanair has reportedly informed staff that it will close its base in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, following a dispute over fees with the airport operator. Local authorities and businesses are alarmed, as the airline’s withdrawal is expected to deal a significant blow to tourism. Ryanair has previously threatened base closures or route reductions in a bid to drive down operating costs.
Source:
www.euractiv.com