Air transport: an ambitious external relations agenda
Two years after the “open skies” rulings confirming the EU's external competence with regard to certain aspects of international air services agreements,[1] the Commission is today presenting a strategic approach to develop the external aspect of the internal aviation market. The European Commission wishes to create a common airspace with neighbouring countries by 2010 and is therefore recommending that the Council authorise it to start negotiations aimed at ambitious air agreements with China and Russia without further ado. “International air traffic regulations are in need of modernising. By creating a single aviation market, the European Union has opened up new opportunities for airlines and passengers. Common markets have yet to be created between the European Union and third countries,” said Vice-President Jacques Barrot, adding, “Europe’s capacity to build new markets, in relationships of trust with its partners, will give air traffic worldwide a major boost.”
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EU press release of Mar. 14, 2005