Brussels, 03/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 30 November, transport ministers from EU member states adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on an agreement regarding an agreement on aviation security audits/inspections in civil aviation between the EU and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Following the attacks of 11 September 2001, the ICAO has set up a “Universal Security Audit Programme” in order to monitor the application by all 188 contracting states of the Annex 17 (Security) to the Chicago Convention. The EU had at the same time established its own rules on the matter. The agreement that Commission will be negotiating will seek to ensure better use of resources and avoid duplication of tasks (reduction of individual audits carried out by the ICAO). According to the Commission, most of the provisions in Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention are covered by European legislation (Regulation EC 2320/2002). (A.By.)