Brussels, 25/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 24 March, the European Parliament approved the second stage of the EU-US air travel transport agreement (“Open Sky”) signed last April. In addition to the provisions for the gradual and reciprocal opening up of European and US travel markets and environmental cooperation, the agreement also strengthens the role of the joint EU-US committee in charge of ensuring implementation of the agreement. It now has the right to recommend new initiatives in the field of aviation safety and social questions. The rapporteur at the EP, Artur Zasada (EPP, Poland), however, insisted at the end of the vote, that there were still a number of pending questions that would need to be tackled in the future during negotiations on other aviation agreements. The EP is calling for greater liberalisation of air traffic rights (cabotage) and investment (currently limited in the US to 25% of shares that have voting rights), as well as greater coordination in the field of passenger rights. On this point, Zasada considers that it is necessary to ensure equal treatment for people with reduced mobility. He also highlighted the need to resolve the question of liability in problems encountered during journeys that included several different aeroplanes or different airports. The EP also approved two other agreements concluded by the EU in the aviation field with Vietnam and Canada. (A.By./transl.fl)