91996E1321

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1321/96 by Felipe Camisón Asensio (PPE) to the Commission (3 June 1996)

Subject: Community agreement with the USA concerning civil aviation

With regard to the current debate surrounding the guidelines for the European Union's external relations with the United States in the field of civil aviation:

1. What advantages does the Commission believe would result from establishing an agreement based on an all-embracing approach which would include not only the liberalization of trans-Atlantic traffic, but also the establishment of common standards regarding powers, state aid, air traffic control, safety and environmental protection?

2. How does it view the idea of a common EU-USA air space, in view of the proliferation of bilateral national 'open skies' agreements?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (9 July 1996)

As the Honourable Member will know, the Council decided on 17 June to authorise the Commission on behalf of the Community, to open negotiations on civil aviation with the United States.

A global agreement between the Community and the United States would permit carriers to develop their activities in a regulatory environment that guarantees equal conditions for fair competition across and on both sides of the Atlantic.

Existing national bilateral agreements are too limited in scope in this respect on such important issues as competition rules, ownership and control and access to airports.