Brussels, 28/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Russia are on track to settle an issue that has long poisoned aviation relations between the two. At the Transport and Energy Council on Friday 25 November, EU member states approved a political agreement with the Russian Federation on flights over Siberia for which EU air carriers still have to pay charges. Attempts have been made since 2006 to persuade Russia to end this system which was disadvantageous to the EU. The Russian Federation will phase out this system, with the payment of charges being completely ended by January 2014. These agreed principles will come into effect as soon as Russia joins the World Trade Organisation (WTO) - Russian accession is scheduled for December of this year. The ending of this dispute, and the consequent cost reductions for European carriers, is expected to have a positive effect on trade, especially with Asia. (MD/transl.rt)