EU assembly backs 2011 postal liberalisation

STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - A European Parliament committee voted by a large majority on Monday to allow full competition in postal services across the European Union from 2011, two years later than originally planned.

The assembly's transport committee voted by 38 to 6 in favour of the measure which has divided the bloc's 27 countries and spurred protests and stoppages by the 90 billion euro (60.88 billion pounds) sector's 2 million workers.

The full parliament is expected to endorse the committee's position next month. EU states have a joint say on the measure and many states are likely to back having more time to fully open up their mail sectors.