Conclusions

Abstract

The fortress walls that have traditionally surrounded state-owned TOs in Europe have begun to crumble as they are assailed by the combined forces of the market and successive broadsides from the EU Commission, Council and Parliament (CEC, 1994b, Annex 1–3). Table 6.1 summarised the changes scheduled in principle to be introduced on 1 January 1998. On the other hand, it is fair to say that the defences have been far harder to breach in certain countries compared to others. As the case study above indicates, the UK, uniquely in the then EU prior to its latest expansion, chose to welcome the forces of change. In principle, all other member states are committed to fall more or less into line, but in many cases this may not occur in reality this side of the millennium, the prior dates fixed by Directives notwithstanding.