Brussels, 24/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - At the opening of the 38th General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the European Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas, set the scene with regard to the objectives involving the struggle to reduce CO2 emissions from the aviation sector.
In his opening speech in Montreal on Tuesday 24 September, the Commissioner indicated that, “Europe believes firmly that at this ICAO Assembly we should decide to develop, by 2016, a global market-based measure for international aviation that can start in 2020. Until that date, countries or groups of countries should - within certain parameters - be able to deploy national and regional MBMs [market-based-mechanisms]. We also want to see a fair and equitable solution that can accommodate the special circumstances of some states”.
The impact of the aviation industry on the environment, however, is not the only concern of the Europeans. The Commissioner pointed out that other commitments should be taken by the international community within the ICAO. He explained that this General Assembly had to, “set the stage for the future development of international aviation. What is decided here over the next two weeks can - and should - have paramount importance in creating the regulatory conditions that this vital global industry needs to secure its future growth”.
He discussed the question of air traffic management and expressed his hope that the assembly would manage to agree on a comprehensive navigation plan and elaborate a roadmap for modernising their traffic management systems. He also asserted that he expected the ICAO to make progress on developing a more efficient security system. In this connection, he advocated the use of risk based rules and mutual recognition between states and regions. Finally, the commissioner reiterated the EU's support for the ICAO's previous conclusions on liberalisation of air carrier ownership and control, fair competition and consumer rights. The assembly will be negotiating on these different subjects until 4 October next. (MD/transl.fl)