By 626 votes to 5 with 5 abstentions, the European Parliament approved the recommendation on the draft EU Council Decision on the conclusion of the EU-Japan air service agreement (see EUROPE 13125/17) at its plenary session on Tuesday 11 July.
This agreement with Japan replaces certain provisions of the existing bilateral agreements to ensure compliance with Community law.
It offers all EU air carriers non-discriminatory access to routes with Japan. The traditional designation clauses are replaced by an EU designation clause, allowing all European carriers to benefit from the right of establishment: any EU carrier can operate flights from any Member State that has a bilateral agreement with Japan under which unused traffic rights are available.
Negotiations on the agreement were concluded and it was signed in February (see EUROPE 13125/17). This agreement will complement the existing agreement between Japan and the EU - in force since 2021 - on aviation safety (see EUROPE 12511/36).
It will enter into force after Japan and the EU have notified each other of the completion of their internal procedures necessary for the implementation of the text.
In addition, an EU-Japan summit will be held in Brussels on Thursday 13 July (see other news). (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)