On Thursday morning, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Commission called a joint press conference to present the agreement on the telecoms package reached by the parties during the night.

“I am pleased that the telecoms package can now be adopted in its entirety so as to strengthen competition and consumer protection in Europe. These new rules also reduce the uncertainty of companies, which means that major, important investments can now be undertaken,” says President-in-Office of the Council and Sweden’s Minister for Communications Åsa Torstensson.

Much discussed amendment

The conciliation procedure began at 21.00 on Wednesday evening at the European Parliament’s premises in Brussels. Representatives of the Parliament, the Council and the European Commission met with the ambition of reaching agreement on a revised version of Parliament amendment 138.

“The original wording of the amendment would have led to an indirect harmonisation of the legal systems, and we have reached agreement with the Parliament that that would not be compatible with the Treaty,” states Ms Torstensson.

Important sector

Catherine Trautmann, rapporteur of the Parliament’s delegation, stated that an agreement was necessary to ensure the continued development of the telecommunications industry in Europe.

“The sector is of the utmost importance to growth and employment in society. If we had pressed too hard on the proposed amendment, we would have put the entire telecoms package at risk, which we were not willing to do,” said Ms Trautmann.

Rapid changes

Alejo Vidal Quadras, Vice-President of the Parliament, was also pleased that an agreement was reached. He pointed out that the intention of the original wording on protection of users’ rights was well integrated in the final proposal.

“This entails a much needed liberalisation of an industry that is characterised by rapid technological advances,” says Mr Vidal Quadras.

For the telecoms package to enter into force, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament must now formally adopt the agreement, which is expected to take place at the end of November.