The Council of the European Union has authorized the European Commission to start negotiations with the aim of concluding aviation agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN, which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. According to Violeta Bulc, the European Commissioner for Transport, the conclusion of these agreements, which represents one of the results of the European Aviation Strategy, will bring “new business opportunities to the whole aviation sector, new routes and better fares to passengers, whilst guaranteeing a level playing field to our companies”.

The conclusion of such new agreements in the aviation field will ensure fair and transparent market conditions, will improve air travel safety, will facilitate air connections and will offer a wider choice to travellers.

The EU Transport Council discussed also the goals reached in the aviation sector under the Dutch Presidency on the Commission proposal for a revision of the Aviation Safety Regulation, which is another key component of the EU Aviation Strategy and provides, for the first time, a legal framework for drones.

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