The postal sector in Moldova will continue to be liberalized. The National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology will be the independent body that will regulate this sector. This is provided in the draft law on the post office that was passed by Parliament in the first reading, IPN reports. The bill aims to promote the gradual liberalization of the postal service and to harmonize the national legislation with the legislation of the EU.

Though the bill is designed to liberalize the postal service, a provision stipulates that the mail and parcels weighing between 0 and 350 grams will continue to be delivered by the universal postal service, which will be provided by the state-run company “Moldova’s Post Office”.

Liberal MP Mihai Ghimpu expressed his indignation at the fact that the local public authorities are required to gratis allot areas for setting up post offices there, especially because all kinds of products are sold through these and the people who go to collect their pensions and allowances are practically ‘forced’ to purchase the products sold at the post office.

Liberal-Democratic MP Chiril Lucinschi asked that the distribution of the print media should be included in the basic postal services and the Government should identify a mechanism for subsidizing the print media distribution service during the next five years so that the editorial offices find new possibilities of reaching people’s homes.