[eccr] European Regulators' Group meets to prepare for New EU Telecoms Legislation

Title: European Regulators' Group meets to prepare for New EU Telecoms Legislation

Brussels, 24 January 2003

Telecommunications: European Regulators' Group meets to prepare for New EU Telecoms Legislation

The European Regulators Group (ERG) held its second meeting on 23 January 2003 in Amsterdam. The Chairman in particular welcomed representatives from the Candidate Countries entering the EU in 2004, who were present for the first time. The ERG, set up by the new regulatory framework for electronic communications network and services, constitutes the interface between National Regulatory Authorities and the European Commission in this field. It will contribute to the development of the internal market and the consistent application of the new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services in all Member States..

Among the items discussed by the ERG was the Work Programme for 2003. Agreement was reached on an initial Work Programme for ERG for 2003. The Work Programme, partly based on constructive contributions received from market players, lays down the focal points for the work of ERG for 2003. Priority will be given to those issues relating to the new regulatory framework which needs to be transposed into national laws by the end of July 2003. The ERG aims at common approaches to key issues within the new regulatory framework. The ERG Work Programme will be made available on http://irgis.icp.pt.

Furthermore, ERG discussed the issue of transparency. Clear indications on consultation procedures will be put on the ERG-website.

The next meeting of the ERG is planned on 28 March 2003. A website for ERG will be available as from 1 February 2003 (http://erg.eu.int). The Work Programme, the meeting schedule for 2003 and agendas for future meetings will be published on the website.