Brussels, 05/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 4 September, Jacques Barrot announced a raft of measures to encourage member states to speed up the creation of the European Open Sky. These measures will notably see the creation of functional airspace blocks (see EUROPE 8603). Mr Barrot, the European Vice-President with responsibility for transport, was responding to an oral question from Italian Liberal MEP and Chairman of the European Parliament transport committee Paolo Costa. He also announced the publication of a second legislative package for the middle of 2008 and the setting up of a performance review body, along with the appointment of a coordinator, “responsible for taking on projects more quickly”. “In the first half of 2008, we are going introduce a performance-based approach. This approach will set specific performance targets for service providers and will provide for encouragements, intervention mechanisms if targets are not met,” he went on, before adding, “I personally believe that a coordinator, such as the one we have for the trans-European network, would be very useful in encouraging the creation of these much-needed functional blocks”. The initial task of the performance review body, which was recently proposed by the Commission's high level group and which is still under consideration, is likely be to draw up the performance criteria for the setting up of the Europe-wide Open Sky. It is still up to national administrations to ensure that the provisions contained in the first Single Sky package (including creating functional airspace blocks, the interoperability of air traffic control systems; separation of air navigation services and the monitoring and regulation of these services) are implemented - a situation regretted by Mr Barrot, because it “reduces the ability of the Commission and the Community institutions to make the blocks a reality” - but the group could be formalised in the future package. In the autumn of this year, the Commission will also present a communication, based on July's report by the high level expert group. (aby)