The European Commission represents the EU as an official observer to the United Nation’s specialised agency for the postal sector, the Universal Postal Union. The Commission has advisory status in the European Committee for Postal Regulation. Postal services also form part of negotiations for countries wishing to join the EU and free trade agreements in terms of regulatory provisions and commitments.
Universal Postal Union
The European Union, represented by the European Commission, is an official observer to the United Nations' specialised agency for the postal sector. The congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) is its supreme authority and takes place every 4 years. The Commission participates in the congresses of the UPU and the next one will be held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in 2020. As an observer, the Commission can attend UPU meetings but cannot vote.
European Committee for Postal Regulation
The European Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP) is comprised of postal ministries and national regulatory authorities for postal services. It examines regulatory affairs in a European and international context, as well as co-ordinating and preparing for Universal Postal Union meetings. The Commission (as well as the European Free Trade Association secretariat) has advisory status at CERP.
Enlargement and European neighbourhood policy
In the area of postal services we collaborate with the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations to contribute to the implementation of the European neighbourhood policy, and monitor progress and support negotiations with countries that wish to join the EU.
Free trade agreements
We contribute to free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Trade. Postal services form part of the FTA agreements in terms of regulatory provisions and commitments.
Contact us
grow-c3
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (grow-c3[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)