Brussels, 20/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - European transport ministers have reached an agreement on the broad lines of the EU's external policy to be adopted with regard to aviation. During their Council on Thursday 20 December, they endorsed conclusions to follow up the Commission's communication on this subject, presented in September this year.
More competitive aviation. European ministers appreciate the need for aviation agreements reached at European level compared to purely bilateral agreements, especially with a view to making European aviation more competitive in the global arena. Such agreements are also in force in the Mediterranean region and with neighbouring countries (in the Balkans, with Morocco, Jordan, Georgia, Moldova and Israel). Cypriot minister Efthemios Flourentzou, who chaired the last Council, explains that what is sought is a framework to ensure that what is in effect in the European countries is also in effect in third countries with which the EU seeks agreement.
Several agreements in sight. European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas sums up the situation saying that bilateral relations are not productive and that they should have a joint approach in accordance with global agreements - in particular with major competitors such as the United States (under way), China or the Gulf States. He considers that the latter are extremely competitive. They follow European norms on safety and possibly on the environment but competition and financial resources are matters on which they must still reach agreement. Furthermore, the Council foresees in its conclusions global agreements with the Asian states belonging to ASEAN, and also with Brazil (under way), Turkey and Russia.
Russian impasse. Work had begun with Russia but the commissioner admits being very disappointed saying (our translation): “We signed a protocol of agreement in 2010 in which we indicated that we were moving towards a complete agreement for a common aviation zone. It is true that we have moved forward with regards security but we have regressed this year. The Russians mix up different elements. I cannot speak of progress and we cannot tell what will happen”. He cited over-flight of Siberia as a stumbling block, adding: “The main aviation flow between Europe and Asia circumvents Russia as there is still this obscure system of over-flight charges”. (MD/transl.jl)