MINUTES FROM THE PRIMET-ECOMET MEETING
Helsinki, 22-23 May 2006

Participants:
From the PRIMET Board:
Jennifer Campbell, Meteo Consult (jennifer.campbell@pa.press.net)
Mette Krohn-Hansen, Storm Weather Center (mette.krohn-hansen@storm.no)
Pirkko Saarikivi, FORECA Ltd (pirkko.saarikivi@foreca.com)

From ECOMET:
Anton Eliassen, President of ECOMET General Assembly (anton.eliassen@met.no)
René Hoenson, Chief Executive, ECOMET Secretariat (rene.hoenson@oma.be)
Klaus Haderlein, Chairman, ECOMET Working Group (aklaus.haderlein@dwd.de)
Lillian Svendsen, met.no/adviser to the ECOMET President (lillian.svendsen@met.no)

Due to health problems, the PRIMET Secretary General, Daniel Söderman, was unable to attend the meeting. The meeting conveyed its best regards and wishes to him.

The meeting was held at FORECAs premises in Helsinki, at the very kind invitation of PRIMET and FORECA. On behalf of PRIMET, Pirkko Saarikivi welcomed all the participants to Helsinki. She also chaired the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting was prepared by PRIMET, with input from ECOMET.

1. Evaluation of the PRIMET position statement and comments provided by ECOMET,
   and
2. The role of ECOMET in ensuring adherence to the terms of the EC DG-IV Comfort letter of 21.10.1999

Pirkko Saarikivi introduced by referring the main concerns of PRIMET. In their view the meteorological market in Europe is still weak and innovation is lost due to a too restrictive data policy from the NMSs side. The purpose of the meeting from PRIMETs side is to achieve a real level playing field as regards data costs, access to data etc.

PRIMET would like to see a single, consistent, simplified, transparent pricing mechanism as regards meteorological data. PRIMET is very concerned that the price level for data is still too high, and in many cases prohibitive. The other top priority requirement for PRIMET is access to all data.

The question of simultaneous transmission of data to all users and the level of the delivery charges are still issues of concern for PRIMET, but their main concerns relate to data prices and data access.

PRIMET furthermore referred to relevant EU Directives, especially the PSI Directive. One of the main messages from PRIMET to ECOMET is that the spirit of the EU Directives is very clear and that they are made for the benefit of society. These Directives should therefore be the guiding line for all NMSs in their data policy.

From the ECOMET side it was stressed that the ECOMET mechanism guarantees access to all data which are commercially used. The ECOMET mechanism also ensures equivalent conditions for all players in the commercial meteorological market, in accordance with the different national laws.

As regards pricing, ECOMET stressed that any interference with the tariff system of the Members could be regarded as price fixing, which is illegal. The pricing of data is the sole responsibility of the individual NMSs and is in agreement with the respective national rules and legislation.

PRIMET is nevertheless welcome to come up with proposals for simplified common tariff elements, e.g. data packages that could be attractive for the market ("market voice").

As regards the requirement in ECOMET of transparency of the accounts of the NMSs, there was some discussion on the scope of "transparency" (transparent accounts, or transparency to the general public of the accounts of the NMSs). ECOMET stated that by transparent accounting, the ECOMET Member is able to demonstrate that no cross subsidy between core activities and commercial activities occurs. PRIMET stressed their requirement for further progress towards transparency, and was therefore looking forward to seeing NMSs publish their accounts. ECOMET will bring this issue to the attention of its General Assembly.

As regards the PRIMET requirement of separation of the public and commercial activities of the NMSs, ECOMET stressed that the issue of legal separation of the commercial arm and the public duties is subject to national political decisions, and therefore not an issue for ECOMET. This was noted by PRIMET.

PRIMET also expressed concern as regards the NMSs of the new EU Members and their compliance with competition rules. ECOMET confirmed that it will continue its efforts to attract these NMSs to become members of ECOMET.

3. A mechanism for addressing concerns of the Private Sector (including target times for response and resolution)

PRIMET would welcome a procedure for bringing up concerns relating ECOMET practices and how these are implemented and practised by individual ECOMET members. The ECOMET delegation will propose the following procedure to its GA:
1. Individual PRIMET members (or other companies) send their complaint/concern in writing to the ECOMET Secretariat, with sufficient documentation
2. The ECOMET Secretariat approaches immediately the ECOMET member concerned, asking for remedial action to be taken, or an explanation
3. If matter not solved, the issue can be put to the ECOMET General Assembly
4. If matter still not solved, the PRIMET member may proceed to bring the issue to national competition authorities or arbitration
5. If an issue is brought to competition authorities or arbitration, ECOMET wishes to be kept informed.
4. Formation of a joint ECOMET/PRIMET working party to produce proposals for an improved ECOMET tariff

With reference to the responsibility of the individual NMSs to establish their own prices, and to the fact that price fixing is illegal, the idea of a joint working group for pricing was not pursued.

However, as recorded under items 1 and 2, PRIMET was invited to come up with proposals for attractive common tariff elements, which could be considered by ECOMET

5. Regular meetings between ECOMET (and members) and private sector service providers

Both PRIMET and ECOMET agreed that it is important to continue the dialogue, and agreed to meet at approximately annual intervals.

As regards broader participation from both sides, the PRIMET delegation noted that the PRIMET Board was duly delegated by its members to meet ECOMET. Furthermore, many of its members were small companies who did not have resources to participate in such meetings. However, the possibility of having a meeting with broad participation from both sides some time in the future should be kept in mind.

On the other hand, PRIMET thought it would be useful to invite a representative from ECOMET to its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (29 Sept. 2006 in London) to make a presentation and/or have a discussion with PRIMET members. The ECOMET delegation accepted this invitation.

Furthermore, individual NMSs were encouraged to arrange national briefing meetings with the private sector in their own countries.

6. Timetable for completion of agreed actions

No specific timetable was agreed, individual actions will be taken as soon as possible (or after having been put to the General Assembly of ECOMET).
7. Any other business

PRIMET made reference to the forthcoming OECD Workshop on Public Sector Information, to be held on 31 May 2006 (analysis of public sector information and its commercial re-use, and public sector contents and increasing accessibility). PRIMET would try to get funding to study the development of the meteorological market in Europe.

PRIMET also drew the attention to the requirement of inventories, which in fact already exist in ECOMET (the ECOMET catalogue/price list). PRIMET would appreciate being informed by e-mail on important changes to the catalogue/price lists. The ECOMET Secretariat will try to find a suitable mechanism.

Pirkko Saarikivi also expressed concern about the pricing level for ECMWF products, however, ECMWF issues are outside the scope of ECOMET.

Finally, the ECOMET delegation thanked PRIMET, and in particular FORECA, for their excellent arrangement for the meeting, and their hospitality. Both ECOMET and PRIMET were looking forward to a continued fruitful dialogue.

(Minutes finalized in Oslo 7 June 2006, after consultation with the PRIMET and ECOMET delegations (Drafted by L. Svendsen))