The Ecofin Council adopted, on 2 December, conclusions noting that the third Postal Directive will enter into force on 1 January 2011 (1 January 2013 in some member states). The Council stresses the importance of taking all necessary measures to solve the political problems originating from the VAT treatment of postal services before the third Postal Directive will enter into force and the liberalisation of the postal market is a fact. Taking account of existing tax arrangements in member states, the Council invites the upcoming Spanish and Belgian Presidencies to explore and examine all options in order to make steps forward in this respect and to report the progress made at the Ecofin Council, in December 2010, at latest.