Ukraine to Sign the Common Aviation Area Agreement with the EU

Ukraine is ready to sign the Common Aviation Area Agreement with the EU soon. Furthermore, the complicated situation in world aviation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic requires solutions that impact on the industry positively. The Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladyslav Krykliy announced this during a meeting with  Adina Valean, the Commissioner of the European Commission for Transport. The meeting took place within the 22nd EU-Ukraine Summit in Brussels.

“The global aviation industry has been hit hardest by COVID-19 and now needs a lot of support. We want and will continue to develop our aviation. We are ready to sign the Common Aviation Area Agreement with the EU soon. We wait now for the text of the Agreement with finalisation and wording on its territorial application. We hope that the Agreement is to be signed after the end of the transitional period provided by the Brexit Agreement,” the Ministry head said.

According to him, the Common Aviation Area Agreement with the EU will increase the number of flights and passenger traffic to Europe. That, in turn, will influence positively the tourism industry, business running, and interpersonal contacts.

Vladyslav Krykliy stressed that the Association Agreement with the EU was and is a roadmap for Ukraine in continuation of significant social, economic and political reforms. At the same time, the Ukrainian side is ready to deepen relations with the EU. “We expect the adoption of key bills in the transport sector as soon as possible. We continue to integrate Ukrainian legislation into European legislation for the further stable development of all infrastructure sectors, including railways, motor transport, transportation of dangerous goods, and postal services,” the minister added.

EU Commissioner Adina Valean noted Ukraine’s progress in implementing significant social reforms, large-scale infrastructure projects, and Ukrainian laws into European legislation. She said that the European side welcomes and looks forward to the adoption of a bill on inside water transport soon and that the Common Aviation Area Agreement is expected to be signed in 2021.

Background:

The European Common Aviation Area (CAA) is a bilateral agreement between the EU and third countries that sets common security standards and liberalises market relations in the aviation field and provides more efficient and safer airspace use.

The negotiations on the CAA with Ukraine were completed in 2013, though its signing was blocked due to the conflict between the UK and Spain over the Gibraltar airport status.

Natalia Tolub