EC plans to open aviation negotiations with Ukraine

EC plans to open aviation negotiations with Ukraine    The European Commission said Tuesday it will open aviation negotiations with Ukraine in an attempt to widen the European Common Aviation Area with its neighboring countries.
   In June, the EC and Ukraine signed a “horizontal agreement,” which remove nationality restrictions in bilateral agreements between member states and third countries.
   Ukraine has bilateral air services agreements with all 25 European Union member states, and is considered a priority country in the European Neighborhood Policy.
   “By sharing the benefits of the single aviation market, both Ukraine and the EU will improve their relationship and create benefits for aviation industries and consumers,” said Jacques Barrot, vice president of the EC with responsibility for transport.
   Presently, the EC has received a mandate for the creation of a transatlantic Open Aviation Area with the United States, as well as requesting negotiation mandates with countries including Russia, China, Australia, India, New Zealand and Chile. Also, the EC has started negotiations on an agreement on a European Common Aviation Area with the Western Balkan countries and an aviation agreement with Morocco.