EU-Asean open skies deal in the works

[SINGAPORE] The European Commission (EC) and Asean have proposed to start negotiating a comprehensive air transport agreement in a joint declaration adopted yesterday at the close of the EU-Asean Aviation Summit. At the summit, both regional groupings discussed the benefits that could be achieved from greater market access and integration in air services and the aviation industry, cooperation to enhance the efficiency of air traffic management and harmonisation of safety and security standards.

To negotiate an agreement with Asean, the EC will need a negotiating mandate from the Council of Transport Ministers of the 28 EU member states. Sommad Pholsena, Asean Transport Ministers chairman, said: "Apart from allowing both sides to better capitalise on the opportunities in and the capabilities of each other, a bloc-to-bloc agreement would also facilitate further intra-Asean integration by allowing Asean to learn from the EU's experience in developing a single aviation market."