Brussels, 31/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 30 August, the European Commission presented the Council of the EU with a communication calling upon it to authorise it to negotiate an overall agreement on a common airspace with Azerbaijan. The Commission takes the view that, given the geographical situation of this country, it is vital for its economic development to establish good air links with the EU. “Its strategic situation on the crossroads of Europe and Asia makes Azerbaijan an ideal candidate for an agreement on a common airspace with the EU”, states the Commission, which points out that in January 2011, the authorities of the country expressed an interest in negotiating an agreement on the subject.
As per the agreements concluded between the EU and the other neighbour countries, the Commission considers that the agreement with Azerbaijan should combine a gradual opening-up of the markets and a parallel process for cooperation in regulations and gradual harmonisation. The priority areas should be the opening-up of the markets, freedom of establishment, bringing in fair competition conditions and common rules in the fields of air safety and security, air traffic management, social conditions and environmental protection.
In June 2006, the EU and its member states signed the agreement on the creation of a common European airspace with the countries of the Western Balkans. This was followed by the signature, in December 2006, of the first Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement with Morocco. In December 2010, a Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement was signed with Jordan and an agreement on a common airspace was signed with Georgia, a neighbour country of Azerbaijan. Negotiations are underway with Ukraine, Lebanon, Israel and Moldova, and further talks are due to open soon with Tunisia. (O.L./transl.fl)