Brussels, 09/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - With Single Sky 2 being deadlocked over a dispute between the UK and Spain over the issue of Gibraltar, the French Presidency, on Tuesday 9 December, gave up its attempts to find a general approach on the package which seeks to consolidate the modernisation and harmonisation of the European air space. Discussions at the Council on the European Commission proposal presented in June, did, however, bring agreement on all the technical arrangements for the package and brought the removal of the remaining reservations. Thus: - the date for setting up functional air blocks (FABs) which will allow air traffic management to be independent of national borders has been set at 2012; - the technical agreement also means that member states will not be able to refuse the designation of air traffic service providers and settles the question of the status of national monitoring authorities in decision-making. National authorities will enjoy freedom of action in all areas related to the implementation of the regulations in the package. Member states also supported the performance improvement system proposed by the Commission which provides for the creation of a planning and evaluation mechanism based on the performances of the European air transport network. The Commission, in return for the agreement, and under pressure from certain delegations (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Hungary) undertook to remove from the package the proposal for reciprocity of air tariff setting systems which sought to give European air transporters the right to seek compensation if third countries imposed discriminatory conditions for the use of their air space.
It might be said that “this is an act of love that has not been consummated,” said Council President and French Secretary of State for Transport Dominique Bussereau during the debate. He nonetheless welcomed the “highly significant result” achieved during the debate. Discussions will continue under the Czech Presidency of the EU, while awaiting the first reading opinion of the European Parliament. (A.By./transl.rt)