Brussels, 09/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - The seventh round of negotiations on the second stage of the “Open Sky” agreement with the US (Madrid 15-17 February) has made significant progress and given the European Commission and the Council hope for concluding the agreement and signing it at the next Transport Council in June this year. The two parties are expected to meet on 23 - 25 March, to settle last two pending questions: investment possibilities in American companies and the US request regarding restrictions linked to noise and applicable in the European Union (EUROPE 9910). On Tuesday, 9 March, a European diplomat stated that, “if the two parties managed to make their respective positions more flexible” it would be possible to obtain an agreement. The same diplomatic source explained that they would need to establish, during the eighth round of negotiations in Brussels, a “roadmap” for investors. The European Commission is also expected to inform EU transport ministers meeting on Thursday 11 March for their Council, about progress made in the negotiations and request a mandate for the next round. Until now, the two sides have reached an agreement on questions such as environmental protection, work standards, competition rules, reciprocal recognition of regulatory decisions, as well as aviation security and management of the agreement. In compliance with the first stage agreement, signed in April 2008, the two parties have until the end of November to reach an agreement. (A.By.)