Brussels, 01/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 28 and 29 June, the European Commission presented to the Council proposals for decisions aimed at the signature, provisional application and conclusion of an agreement on the creation of a common aviation area between the EU and its member states, on one hand, and Georgia, on the other.
The agreement was negotiated by the Commission under a mandate received from the Council in June 2009. Air services between the EU and Georgia presently operate on the basis of bilateral agreements between individual member sates and Georgia. It is part of the EU neighbourhood policy to replace this network of bilateral agreements through the establishment of a common aviation area between the EU and its neighbours. The agreement, initialled by both parties on 5 March this year, aims at: - gradual market opening in terms of access to routes and capacity on a reciprocal basis; - non-discrimination and a level playing field for economic operators based on the principles of the EU treaties; - and alignment of the Georgian aviation legislation with EU legislation on issues such as safety, security and air traffic management. The agreement also provides for the possibility for Georgia to join the main multilateral aviation agreement with European countries, the European common aviation area (ECAA) signed in 2006. (O.L./transl.jl)