EU transport ministers adopted on 20 December a comprehensive set of Council conclusions which will lay down the framework for an ambitious EU external aviation policy for the coming years.
Based on the European Commission's recent Communication "The EU's external aviation policy – addressing future challenges"*, the Council has called for stronger coordination, unity and solidarity at EU level and for a more robust EU external aviation policy in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the European aviation industry while supporting the interests of European consumers.
In its conclusions, the Council in particular:
• Considers that a tailored EU approach is now appropriate in relation to a number of key partners;
• Encourages the Commission to reach comprehensive EU-level agreements with all neighboring countries by 2015;
• Welcomes the Commission's intention to request an authorization to open negotiations on comprehensive EU air transport agreements with Turkey and India;
• Welcomes the Commission's intention to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing EU-Russia aviation relations once Russia respects its international commitments towards the EU in aviation to phase out royalties for overflying Siberia. An objective of the comprehensive roadmap would be a comprehensive EU-Russia air transport agreement;
• Acknowledges the Commission's intention to engage in a dialogue with Gulf countries with a view to enhancing transparency and fair competition;
• Supports the Commission's intention to present a proposal for a revision or replacement of Regulation 868/2004 concerning protection against subsidization and unfair practices with the aim of developing a more effective instrument to safeguard open and fair competition. In the same spirit, the Council welcomes the Commission's intention to develop a template for a "fair competition clause" for inclusion in air services agreements with partner countries;
• Invites ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, to play a leading role in modernizing the existing economic regulatory framework governing the global aviation market including in relation to liberalizing market access and airline ownership and control while safeguarding fair competition.
Source: European Commission
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To download the Communication on "The EU's external aviation policy – addressing future challenges", please click here.