Armenia set to work on text coordinarion about Armenia`s joining to Single European Sky

ArmInfo. In General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia the first meeting took place in the framework of text coordination on joining of the Republic of Armenia to Common Aviation Area Agreement.

As the department's press-service told ArmInfo, during the meeting the main directions of the negotiation group were set.

To recall, by the decision of the Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, an Armenia-EU task group was formed, which will start official negotiations on coordinating the text on Armenia-Single European Sky joining. GDCA Sergey Avetisyan heads the group.  During the meeting on December 1st, EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council approved a mandate to start negotiations on a comprehensive air transport agreement with Armenia. As is said in EU report to ArmInfo, the Single Sky agreement is aimed at international communication quality improvement in Europe, providing high quality service and providing possibilities to customers for wider choice.  The agreement is also set on improving competitiveness in EU aviation industry. "After 2years work, Armenia was provided the possibility for negotiations on official joining to the "agreement"", said the DGCA head Sergey Avetisyan during the final press conference on December 20. According to him, till now, the relations between Armenia and EU in the sector of aviation, were built on the basis of interstate agreements. The result of the agreement will be a more liberal aviation pattern used by Armenian and EU Air companies.  Armenia will also carry certain duties in the field of lagislative changes and implementation of European standards into the state's constitution. The GDCA head didn't mention the terms of the agreement signing, but noted that the negotiations will not be long-lasting, as there is a basic format of cooperation with all states. He also disproved the fears about the state when the Single European Sky may create controversy in the context of Armenian membership to Eurasian Economic Union, as well as EEU common air creating. As Avetisyan mentioned, all the sides are eager to liberalization of the market.     

To note, besides the flight security and certificated regulations, due to the document the restriction removal is provided, both on the flights of foreign carriers of Armenia and Armenian to EU states. It will help to invite European air companies to Armenian market on best conditions, particularly the budget ones. The liberalization will also provide fair competition by the combination of the state aid and regulatory standards. This means integration to European aviation market, support to Armenian businessmen to foreign markets, Armenia's turning into transit state in the sector of air transport. Among the states members of the "Eastern Partnership", to the Single European Sky joined Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, signing the association agreement.