Brussels, 24/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - During the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montréal, Siim Kallas, the European Commissioner for Transport, will explain that the priorities he will be promoting include security and the liberalisation of air traffic control. On Tuesday 24 September, he took part in the opening session of the two weeks of crucial negotiations for the global aviation industry. The assembly of 192 member states meet up at least once in every three years (this will be the 38th time). Although negotiations for a global agreement on reducing CO2 emissions from the aviation sector are the most tense (see other article), there are also other challenges to be met and which need to be discussed at the highest level. In his speech, the commissioner highlighted the responsibility of the ICAO assembly in this connection to guarantee an ambitious and sustainable environment where growth can take place and where aviation can continue to benefit and connect citizens and businesses worldwide. He said that this is a pivotal moment which will set the stage for world aviation for years ahead.
The essential element the commissioner will be putting forward is security, the area in which the EU and the rest of the world have indeed made progress, but where other efforts still need to be made. With regard to security management, he is expected to call for a greater role to be given to regional organisations (a resolution is likely to be adopted) and a proactive approach to risk management. Aviation systems should become safer as a result of this, particularly for mail and freight, whilst at the same time they are also expected to remain efficient (Resolution A37-17 on illicit acts of interference will be reviewed). The commissioner will also appeal, as he already has done in Europe, for modernising air traffic control at a global level, in an effort to prevent the different systems emerging from undermining competition in the long term. The EU is hoping that a roadmap can be established by the Assembly by adopting a global navigation plan (with harmonisation of standards) and modernisation of the flight slot system. In the context of aviation's economic implications, the EU will defend a long-term vision of market liberalisation and the fight against unfair competition. These final two points are expected to dominate the negotiators' agenda, particularly during the first week, given their impact on the aviation industry's interests.
When he arrived in Montreal shortly before the beginning of the Assembly, the commissioner asserted on Twitter that the preliminary European coordination meeting had taken place in, “good spirit and solid unity”. (MD/transl.fl)