12/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 9 October, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted a decision to open negotiations between the EU and Brazil on the conclusion of a bilateral agreement in the field of civil aviation safety. The agreement will bring in mutual recognition of certification findings and safety standards. First and foremost, the agreement will cover airworthiness and environmental aspects of aeronautical products, parts and appliances. It could also include the approval and monitoring of maintenance services. At this moment in time, there are no bilateral agreements in place between the member states of the EU and Brazil in this area, but since 2004, the European Air Safety Agency (EASA) has been cooperating with the National Agency for Civil Aviation of Brazil on a limited basis. The Council adopted, also without debate, the decision authorising the signature of the horizontal aviation agreement between the EU and Brazil, which will help to align existing bilateral aviation agreement on European aviation legislation. (A.By./transl.fl)