Brussels, 21/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations between the EU and the United States with a view to concluding a transatlantic air agreement have allowed “substantial progress on the key elements of such an agreement” although efforts must be continued during the second negotiating session in Washington, especially on traffic rights and recognition of the concept of Community carrier. After the first negotiating session, the EU and the United States reached, in a joint statement, an agreement on their cooperation on competition and State subsidies, setting in place mechanisms and joint methods that will allow compatible decisions to be reached during examination of merger projects between air companies. The parties also undertook to avoid conflict on security and safety to be able to act rapidly and to pursue their dialogue on questions relating to the environment, especially when it concerns legislation on noise. The joint statement also provides for the creation of a joint committee to verify the correct application of the agreement and resolve questions of interpretation. The Americans are currently examining the various options for revision of the company ownership regime, a process that is theoretically separate from the talks taking place with the EU, but which is an “element in a key context on which we will assess whether the package is balanced”, a Commission spokesman said, preferring to speak of “determination” rather than optimism. Negotiations this week unfolded in a “particularly cooperative atmosphere”, John Byerly, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs, said, tabling on a “clear commitment on both sides” in order to conclude this first stage during the second session in Washington during the week of 14 November.