Brussels, 27/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has announced the conclusion of two air agreements, one with the Republic of Moldova on 26 October, and the other with Sri Lanka, on 27 October.
Moldova. Still with a concern for cooperation on transport with the eastern countries, the EU is therefore integrating the Republic of Moldova into the common airspace. This comprehensive agreement on air services should bring Moldovan rules into line with EU law with regards safety and security. European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has said that such an agreement would allow Moldova to become a full partner of the European Union in the field of air transport, by gradually becoming a part of a pan-European aviation market. This, he said, is a “very important step in our strategy of closer cooperation between the EU and its neighbours, particularly in the context of the Eastern Partnership”.
Sri Lanka. When one goes to Asia, one goes to another continent. The Commission has signed a “horizontal agreement” with the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, which establishes new bases for aviation relations between the EU and this country to the south-east of India. The agreement signed makes it possible to replace all bilateral agreements already sealed between Sri Lanka and six member states (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom), for a total of 380,000 passengers in 2010, i.e. an 11% increase. All these are sufficient reasons to strengthen aviation cooperation with the region, helping to connect people, cultures and business opportunities. (MD/transl.jl)