Brussels, 20/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 December at the Transport Council, Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas provided an outline to European transport ministers of the latest developments in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). During the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) summit in November, it looked like the scheme was going to stall. “We were able to find constructive solutions. There's still a lot that needs to be examined but it's good that we've made progress,” explains Kallas. The ICAO considers that it is technically possible to introduce market-based measures to reduce CO2 emissions in the aviation sector. A high-level group consisting of 16 members, including three Europeans, is expected to be set up to draw up recommendations for the 2013 ICAO General Assembly. In an effort to reduce tension between the EU and third countries, the Commission agreed to suspend the ETS for flights outside the EU for a certain period. It would like the Council to swiftly affirm its support for this approach by adopting it in the first quarter of next year. (MD/transl.fl)