03/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 2 October, the Council granted the Commission a negotiation mandate for the conclusion of a global aviation agreement with Canada (see EUROPE 9505). Negotiations may start as of the month of November. The Commission hopes that this agreement, which will liberalise air traffic between the EU and Canada, will allow the number of passengers making such flights to increase by 5 million passengers every year. Canada is currently the fifth-largest aviation partner of Europe, with flights mainly to Germany and the United Kingdom. The global aviation agreement will replace the existing bilateral agreements, concluded between Canada and 17 member states of the EU. (aby)