Brussels, 07/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Commissioner in charge of Transport, Jacques Barrot, received a mandate from the 25 Transport Ministers to resume formal negotiations with the United States with a view to bringing in an open trans-Atlantic aviation market. However, the exact terms for a mutually beneficial agreement have yet to be determined, as, for the time being, the situation is unbalanced in favour of the United States. Commissioner Barrot highlighted the “goodwill of both sides”, with regard to progress made at recent technical discussions on regulatory convergence (competition, State aid), recognition of the identity of European air carriers (allowing European airlines to restructure without having to worry about losing their traffic rights), and cooperation in the field of security and safety. The United States are said even to be prepared to budge on ownership rules and control, but they are calling for the "fifth liberty", which would open up the market to them to provide routes such as New York-Paris-Moscow, and which certain Member States have already agreed to. The Commissioner intends to go forward in successive phases, making sure, at each stage, that the agreement is of benefit to both sides, as the objective is to reach a complete agreement, rather than a a minima agreement. "The result cannot be achieved in advance", said Mr Barrot, who did not want to "give away the secrets of the negotiation, to avoid compromising our chances of success". Nonetheless, the confidence and urgency expressed by the ministers, and the support of the UK Presidency, which is hoping to reach agreement by the end of the year, are "such as to convince the United States to resume negotiations", said Mr Barrot. The dates for a meeting with the American Secretary Of State for transport, Norman Mineta, have already been set, he said.