CONCLUSION TO EU-US OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT IS LONG OVERDUE
Posted, June 17, 2010 @ 00:00
However, does not mean a deal at any price says Conservative MEP
Strasbourg 17 June 2010. Conservative MEP and Aviation sector expert Jaqueline Foster, speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg last night, described the draft agreement on EU-US open skies as significant.
She added that a final agreement is long overdue but that Europe should not prepared to make a deal at any price.
In a speech to fellow MEPs, Mrs Foster said,
"We would all welcome a successful conclusion to the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Indeed, after several years it is rather overdue!
"Obviously, this second stage draft agreement is a significant breakthrough and it is to be welcomed. I acknowledge that negotiators have made progress in the areas of security, competition, and market access but I am disappointed at the failure to resolve fully issues of foreign ownership and control and cabotage.
"The Aviation Industry has suffered massively over the last decade and although there is some improvement it is still fragile particularly in Europe. Agreements often mean compromise but that does not mean we want a deal at any price - it's about give and take."
"Finally, we want an agreement which is fair, robust and leads to full liberalisation which will benefit the European carriers, consumers and our American friends."