The European Commission and eight countries from Southeast Europe – Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) as well as Norway and Island, achieved on Tuesday an agreement on the establishment of a joint European air space (ECAA).
A joint European air space will create an effective European air – transport network, connecting people, countries and cultures, fulfilling a vital role in the future integration and development of Europe as one whole, says the Commission's statement.
Discussions regarding a joint air space started in March 2005 and were finalized in less than one year. It is expected for the Agreement to be signed during the Austrian presiding of the EU, becoming effective shortly after the signing.
ECAA is based on two inseparable elements: the harmonization of standards and regulations on safety, competitiveness, social policy and the rights of consumers in air traffic. The synchronization of the law with European standards shows that the countries of Southeast Europe wish to share European values and principles. The ECAA membership will also help the candidate countries to prepare better for their EU membership, the Commission believes.
All eight countries accepted to synchronize their national laws on air traffic with a whole series of EU regulations from that area.
The second element is the opening up of market possibilities towards air traffic industry on both sides, creating a joint market consisting of 35 countries counting over 500 million people. (Hina)