The German government is showing signs of “relative openness” to the possible extension of Deutsche Post World Net AG’s incumbent mail delivery monopoly beyond December, daily Handelsblatt wrote, citing a government representative.

The liberalisation, which was initially planned for January 1, 2008, may be delayed if Germany cannot convince the other EU member states to open their mail markets as well, the report added.

Deutsche Post’s virtual monopoly on letter delivery for letters up to 50 grams is earmarked to expire at the start of 2008, with the EU seeking a continent-wide liberalisation of the market in 2009.