natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
As the operation of postal services has an impact on the environment, particularly with regard to transport, the recitals would not be complete unless they include the task of environmental protection .
As the operation of postal services has an impact on the environment, particularly with regard to transport, the recitals would not be complete unless they include the task of environmental protection .
That resolution called on the Commission, in view of the sometimes perceptibly divergent developments in universal service obligations in the Member States, to concentrate in particular, when drawing up its prospective study, on the quality of the universal service provided and on its future funding and to propose, in the context of that study, a definition, scope and appropriate financing for the universal service.
That resolution called on the Commission, in view of the sometimes perceptibly divergent developments in universal service obligations in the Member States, to concentrate in particular, when drawing up its prospective study, on the quality of the universal service provided and on its future funding and to propose, in the context of that study, a definition, scope and appropriate financing for the universal service.
However, more extensive consultation with interested parties will be necessary to understand the impact on employment and social and territorial cohesion of accomplishing the internal market.
However, more extensive consultation with interested parties will be necessary to understand the impact on employment and social and territorial cohesion of accomplishing the internal market.
Given the broad scope of issues involved in accomplishing the postal internal market, the Commission should study more thoroughly the impact of liberalisation on employment and social and territorial cohesion.
Given the broad scope of issues involved in accomplishing the postal internal market, the Commission should study more thoroughly the impact of liberalisation on employment and social and territorial cohesion.
(8) According to the prospective study , and particularly with regard to the alternative financing solutions, the basic aim of safeguarding the sustainable provision of a universal service matching the standard of quality defined by the Member States in accordance with Directive 97/67/EC, cannot be secured throughout the Community by 2009 without a reserved area for those Member States where such a financing method proves necessary .
(8) According to the prospective study , and particularly with regard to the alternative financing solutions, the basic aim of safeguarding the sustainable provision of a universal service matching the standard of quality defined by the Member States in accordance with Directive 97/67/EC, cannot be secured throughout the Community by 2009 without a reserved area for those Member States where such a financing method proves necessary .
Member States may furthermore avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the period of transposition, as well as the substantial time necessary for the introduction of effective competition , to proceed with further modernisation and restructuring of the universal service providers as necessary.
Member States may furthermore avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the period of transposition, as well as the substantial time necessary for the introduction of effective competition , to proceed with further modernisation and restructuring of the universal service providers as necessary.
Given the time necessary for the introduction of a level playing-field , and to proceed with further modernisation and restructuring of the universal service providers as necessary, Member States which consider it necessary may avail themselves of the opportunity offered by a postponement of the 2009 deadline for full accomplishment of the internal market.
Given the time necessary for the introduction of a level playing-field , and to proceed with further modernisation and restructuring of the universal service providers as necessary, Member States which consider it necessary may avail themselves of the opportunity offered by a postponement of the 2009 deadline for full accomplishment of the internal market.
However, that study did not assess the impact on social and territorial cohesion of the opening of the postal market.
However, that study did not assess the impact on social and territorial cohesion of the opening of the postal market.
The strong symbolic value of these services of general economic interest means that subsequent stages in the opening of the market must be carefully prepared.
The strong symbolic value of these services of general economic interest means that subsequent stages in the opening of the market must be carefully prepared.
The full opening of the market should be postponed until these studies and analyses of the impact on social and territorial cohesion have been carried out.
The full opening of the market should be postponed until these studies and analyses of the impact on social and territorial cohesion have been carried out.
In this connection, particular attention should be paid to its impact on employment in the postal services sector in rural and remote areas where postal services represent an important employment opportunity.
In this connection, particular attention should be paid to its impact on employment in the postal services sector in rural and remote areas where postal services represent an important employment opportunity.
It is important particularly for the less developed regions that high-quality jobs should be created.
It is important particularly for the less developed regions that high-quality jobs should be created.
For that reason, and to establish fair competition, this Directive should provide for the Member States to take measures to ensure that comparable conditions of employment prevail throughout the entire postal services sector within the same Member State and that employment conditions offered by new service providers are comparable to those offered by the universal service provider.
For that reason, and to establish fair competition, this Directive should provide for the Member States to take measures to ensure that comparable conditions of employment prevail throughout the entire postal services sector within the same Member State and that employment conditions offered by new service providers are comparable to those offered by the universal service provider.
In some opened postal service markets, the conditions of work with the new service providers are significantly worse than those with the universal service provider.
In some opened postal service markets, the conditions of work with the new service providers are significantly worse than those with the universal service provider.
This leads on the one hand to a distortion of competition and on the other hand to a deterioration of the labour market in the postal services sector.
This leads on the one hand to a distortion of competition and on the other hand to a deterioration of the labour market in the postal services sector.
These negative effects on the employment market will be felt particularly hard in the less developed regions of the EU and in rural and remote areas in receipt of funding from the structural funds.
These negative effects on the employment market will be felt particularly hard in the less developed regions of the EU and in rural and remote areas in receipt of funding from the structural funds.
RECITAL 13 A (new)
RECITAL 13 A (new)
(13a) The rural postal network, inter alia in mountain and island regions, plays an essential role in integrating businesses into the national/global economy and in maintaining cohesion in social and employment terms.
(13a) The rural postal network, inter alia in mountain and island regions, plays an essential role in integrating businesses into the national/global economy and in maintaining cohesion in social and employment terms.
Furthermore, rural post offices in mountain and island regions can provide an essential infrastructure network for universal access to new telecommunications technologies.
Furthermore, rural post offices in mountain and island regions can provide an essential infrastructure network for universal access to new telecommunications technologies.
They must take appropriate regulatory measures, available under the Directive, to ensure that accessibility to postal services continues to satisfy the needs of users including, by ensuring, where appropriate, a minimum number of services at the same access point , and in particular that there is no decline in the density of access points to postal services in rural and remote regions.
They must take appropriate regulatory measures, available under the Directive, to ensure that accessibility to postal services continues to satisfy the needs of users including, by ensuring, where appropriate, a minimum number of services at the same access point , and in particular that there is no decline in the density of access points to postal services in rural and remote regions.
(14a) The provision of high-quality postal services contributes significantly to achieving the objective of social and territorial cohesion.
(14a) The provision of high-quality postal services contributes significantly to achieving the objective of social and territorial cohesion.
E-commerce in particular offers new opportunities for remote and sparsely populated areas to participate in economic life, for which the provision of good postal services is an important precondition.
E-commerce in particular offers new opportunities for remote and sparsely populated areas to participate in economic life, for which the provision of good postal services is an important precondition.
(14b) Demographic change is already leading to significant shifts in the territorial distribution of Europe’s population.
(14b) Demographic change is already leading to significant shifts in the territorial distribution of Europe ’s population.
This trend will increase in future.
This trend will increase in future.
The universal service should be organised to take account of the dynamics of this development, and appropriate measures should be identified to maintain the universal service in accordance with the quality standards laid down in Directive 97/67/EC, even under changed demographic conditions.
The universal service should be organised to take account of the dynamics of this development, and appropriate measures should be identified to maintain the universal service in accordance with the quality standards laid down in Directive 97/67/EC, even under changed demographic conditions.
The consequences of demographic change are already having an effect on regional development in Europe and in future will lead to increasingly unbalanced development potential in the European regions because of shifting population density.
The consequences of demographic change are already having an effect on regional development in Europe and in future will lead to increasingly unbalanced development potential in the European regions because of shifting population density.
The way the universal service is organised must not disadvantage regions that are particularly affected by demographic change, as this would further restrict their overall development.
The way the universal service is organised must not disadvantage regions that are particularly affected by demographic change, as this would further restrict their overall development.
Rather, care must be taken to ensure that, despite changing conditions because of demographic change, the universal service in the affected regions will remain intact.
Rather, care must be taken to ensure that, despite changing conditions because of demographic change, the universal service in the affected regions will remain intact.
In view of budgetary discipline in Member States, the long-term sustainability of the financing of the universal service and its potential effects on competition, the use of public compensation as a means of financing the net costs of universal services should be restricted to the appropriate minimum and should comply with existing rules on the funding of public services through State aids.
In view of budgetary discipline in Member States, the long-term sustainability of the financing of the universal service and its potential effects on competition, the use of public compensation as a means of financing the net costs of universal services should be restricted to the appropriate minimum and should comply with existing rules on the funding of public services through State aids.
The aim of the gradual opening of the market in postal services was to make them more efficient and profitable so as to eliminate state subsidies for the postal sector.
The aim of the gradual opening of the market in postal services was to make them more efficient and profitable so as to eliminate state subsidies for the postal sector.
Public compensation. i.e. subsidising the postal sector out of tax revenue, is incompatible both with the budgetary position of public funds, particularly in the context of the Stability Pact, and with the EU's competition rules, which seek to phase out subsidies.
Public compensation. i.e. subsidising the postal sector out of tax revenue, is incompatible both with the budgetary position of public funds, particularly in the context of the Stability Pact, and with the EU's competition rules, which seek to phase out subsidies.
(23) Given the importance of postal services for blind and partially sighted persons, it is appropriate to confirm that the process of market opening should not curtail the continuing supply of certain free services for blind and partially sighted persons introduced by the Member States in accordance with applicable international obligations .
(23) Given the importance of postal services for blind and partially sighted persons, it is appropriate to confirm that the process of market opening should not curtail the continuing supply of certain free services for blind and partially sighted persons introduced by the Member States in accordance with applicable international obligations .
(23) Given the importance of postal services for blind and partially sighted persons, it is appropriate to confirm that , in an open and competitive market, there is a an obligation to introduce and/or maintain certain free services for blind and partially sighted persons introduced by the Member States.
(23) Given the importance of postal services for blind and partially sighted persons, it is appropriate to confirm that , in an open and competitive market, there is a an obligation to introduce and/or maintain certain free services for blind and partially sighted persons introduced by the Member States.
In an open market there must be no competitive advantage for service providers who do not make certain postal services available free of charge to blind and partially sighted people.
In an open market there must be no competitive advantage for service providers who do not make certain postal services available free of charge to blind and partially sighted people.
On the contrary, such an obligation must form part of the universal service obligation which is necessary in the interest of social and territorial cohesion.
On the contrary, such an obligation must form part of the universal service obligation which is necessary in the interest of social and territorial cohesion.
(24) In a fully competitive environment, it is important, both for the financial equilibrium of the universal service as well as for limiting market distortions, that the principle that prices reflect normal commercial conditions and costs is only departed from in order to protect public interests , such as the objective of social and territorial cohesion .
(24) In a fully competitive environment, it is important, both for the financial equilibrium of the universal service as well as for limiting market distortions, that the principle that prices reflect normal commercial conditions and costs is only departed from in order to protect public interests , such as the objective of social and territorial cohesion .
This objective is achieved by requiring Member States to maintain uniform tariffs for single piece tariff mail, the service most frequently used by consumers and small and medium size enterprises.
This objective is achieved by requiring Member States to maintain uniform tariffs for single piece tariff mail, the service most frequently used by consumers and small and medium size enterprises.
Individual Member States may also maintain uniform tariffs for some other mail items to protect general public interest reasons, such as access to culture, regional and social cohesion
Individual Member States may also maintain uniform tariffs for some other mail items to protect general public interest reasons, such as access to culture, regional and social cohesion
In the interest of territorial cohesion in the EU, a uniform tariff must apply throughout the EU for certain services mainly used by private consumers and SMEs.
In the interest of territorial cohesion in the EU, a uniform tariff must apply throughout the EU for certain services mainly used by private consumers and SMEs.
This principle must not be called into question even after the market has been fully opened up.
This principle must not be called into question even after the market has been fully opened up.
RECITAL 28 A (new)
RECITAL 28 A (new)
(28a) The committee responsible for the implementation Directive 97/67/EC should monitor the development of the measures taken by the Member States to guarantee the universal service, and in particular the current and foreseeable effects of such measures on social and territorial cohesion.
(28a) The committee responsible for the implementation Directive 97/67/EC should monitor the development of the measures taken by the Member States to guarantee the universal service, and in particular the current and foreseeable effects of such measures on social and territorial cohesion.
Given the particular importance which the opening of the market in postal services has in terms of regional cohesion, that committee should comprise representatives not only of the Member States but also of local and regional authorities from every Member State.
Given the particular importance which the opening of the market in postal services has in terms of regional cohesion, that committee should comprise representatives not only of the Member States but also of local and regional authorities from every Member State.
(34) In order to keep the European Parliament and the Council informed on the development of the internal market for postal services, the Commission should regularly submit reports to those institutions on the application of Directive 97/67/EC
(34) In order to keep the European Parliament and the Council informed on the development of the internal market for postal services, the Commission should regularly submit reports to those institutions on the application of Directive 97/67/EC
(34) In order to keep the European Parliament and the Council informed on the progress made towards completion of the internal market for postal services, the Commission should regularly submit reports to those institutions on the application of Directive 97/67/EC.
(34) In order to keep the European Parliament and the Council informed on the progress made towards completion of the internal market for postal services, the Commission should regularly submit reports to those institutions on the application of Directive 97/67/EC.
In its next report, and in any event no later than 31 December 2010, the Commission should include an assessment of the effectiveness of the financing methods proposed in Directive 97/67/EC and the appropriateness to user needs of the universal service scope, based on broad consultation with interested parties and appropriate studies.
In its next report, and in any event no later than 31 December 2010, the Commission should include an assessment of the effectiveness of the financing methods proposed in Directive 97/67/EC and the appropriateness to user needs of the universal service scope, based on broad consultation with interested parties and appropriate studies.
These reports should include relevant information on the impact of market opening on social and territorial cohesion, enabling the Member States, where necessary, to take appropriate measures in order to counteract any negative impact in good time.
These reports should include relevant information on the impact of market opening on social and territorial cohesion, enabling the Member States, where necessary, to take appropriate measures in order to counteract any negative impact in good time.
It is important that the report should also assess the impact of market opening on social and territorial cohesion and report regularly to the European Parliament and Council, to enable regulatory measures to be adopted where necessary.
It is important that the report should also assess the impact of market opening on social and territorial cohesion and report regularly to the European Parliament and Council, to enable regulatory measures to be adopted where necessary.
Article 3, paragraph 2 (Directive 97/67/EC)
Article 3, paragraph 2 (Directive 97/67/EC)
(2a) Article 3(2) is replaced by the following:
(2a) Article 3(2) is replaced by the following:
‘(2) To this end, Member States shall take steps to ensure that the density of the points of contact and of the access points takes account of the needs of users, in particular to ensure an adequate density of contact and access points in more sparsely populated areas.
‘(2) To this end, Member States shall take steps to ensure that the density of the points of contact and of the access points takes account of the needs of users, in particular to ensure an adequate density of contact and access points in more sparsely populated areas.
The Member States should determine, on the basis of the existing density per inhabitant, a quantifiable minimum number of contact and access points.’
The Member States should determine, on the basis of the existing density per inhabitant, a quantifiable minimum number of contact and access points.’
(The amendment adds a further point to the Commission proposal amending Directive 97/67/EC concerning the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services.
(The amendment adds a further point to the Commission proposal amending Directive 97/67/EC concerning the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services.
To that end, Article 3(2) of Directive 97/67/EC of 15 December 1997 should also be amended as shown)
To that end, Article 3(2) of Directive 97/67/EC of 15 December 1997 should also be amended as shown)
This addition to the definition of "universal service” is necessary in order to guarantee that a full opening of the market does not result in a deterioration in the network of contact and access points in more thinly populated areas, which would in turn lead to a drop in the quality of services in these areas and thus contribute to the depopulation of the countryside.
This addition to the definition of "universal service” is necessary in order to guarantee that a full opening of the market does not result in a deterioration in the network of contact and access points in more thinly populated areas, which would in turn lead to a drop in the quality of services in these areas and thus contribute to the depopulation of the countryside.
(a) Each Member State shall entrust its
(a) Each Member State shall entrust its
national regulatory authority with the obligation to define, in consultation with stakeholders, including consumer organisations, the universal service obligation in more detail, in particular the details concerning delivery times, collection and delivery frequency and security and reliability of the universal service.
national regulatory authority with the obligation to define, in consultation with stakeholders, including consumer organisations, the universal service obligation in more detail, in particular the details concerning delivery times, collection and delivery frequency and security and reliability of the universal service.