(Telecompaper) The cost of roaming outside the EU is too high, said the Dutch economic affairs ministry, in response to questions from parliament. However, the government has no means to intervene on this market. The European Union has already reduced roaming prices within the region, but cannot control those outside the EU. The minister said this was unfortunate, but he could not legislate on the matter for Dutch operators. Mobile operators pay wholesale rates for roaming abroad and local regulation could make the service loss-making for them. While international organisation like the ITU and WTO have tried to address the issue, there have been few efforts made in treaties.