Strasbourg, 27/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament adopted a resolution this week prepared by Eva Lichtenberger (Greens/EFA, Austria) on the Council's draft decision to sign a multilateral agreement between the EU, Western Balkan states (Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Norway and Iceland on the creation of a common European airspace (CEA, see EUROPE 8647 and 9142) in order to extend the Single European Sky to these third countries. The resolution notes that it is important from the environmental viewpoint that the agreement covers all current and future EU legislation on greenhouse gas emissions, and measures to reduce the impact of air traffic on the environment. The EP welcomes the fact that all signatory states agree that aviation will one day be included in the carbon trading system. The EP says the operational annex to the deal has to include all EU legislation (the 'Community acquis') concerning health and safety and the regulation on the rights of disabled passengers. The MEPs are pleased that air traffic control has been included in the deal because without this, the Single European Sky would not be able to operate. The EP also stresses the importance of applying and respecting rules in force in the EU in the social arena. The MEPs say the agreement should 'rapidly' come into force and a progress report should be submitted to the European Parliament by 31 December 2008. (aby)