Luxembourg, 07/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 7 June in Luxembourg, EU Transport Ministers granted the European Commission negotiating mandates to obtain on behalf of the Union, comprehensive agreements in the aviation field with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, member countries of the Association of South Eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Turkey.
The Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, welcomed the support of member states during this Transport Council and described this development as the first positive repercussions from the aviation strategy adopted last December (see EUROPE 11438). She was delighted that "once concluded, these agreements will provide new opportunities for the entire aviation sector, as well as new routes and more competitive prices for passengers, whilst guaranteeing fair competition for the airlines". On the other hand, she did not get what she wanted on the length of time of the mandate. She did not want any timeframe set out but the mandates were finally set out for three years with the United Arab Emirate and Qatar and four years for Turkey and ASEAN. According to the Commissioner, the third country negotiating parties will be able to use these limited timeframes to their own advantage
As part of the negotiations, the Commission will be particularly eager to ensure the appropriate conditions for fair competition. It is this last point that is causing concern to François Ballesterro, the head of civil aviation and tourism policy at the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF). In reply to EUROPE, he pointed out that the Gulf States had not signed any fundamental International Labour Organisation (ILO) agreement, which could lead to situations involving social dumping. He said that a strong and well-structured social dimension "is a precondition for ensuring fair competition".
According to Commission estimates, the agreement with ASEAN countries is expected to generate up to €7.9 billion over the first seven years that follow the agreement's conclusion, which is likely to take place in 2017 (see EUROPE 11490). An agreement with Turkey is expected to create up to €5 billion and guarantee a 50% cut in ticket prices. Finally, the Commission is forecasting that an agreement with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar) is expected to generate around €8.4,billion by 2025. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)