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Time in Yerevan: 11:07,   28 March 2024

First round of talks on Armenia-EU Common Aviation Area agreement launched in Yerevan

First round of talks on Armenia-EU Common Aviation Area agreement launched in Yerevan

YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. The first round of talks over the Common Aviation Area between the European Union and Armenia launched in Yerevan, reports Armenpress.

Armenia’s negotiating group is led by Head of General Department of Civil Aviation Sergey Avetisyan, while that of the EU is chaired by Deputy Head of the European Commission’s Aviation Agreements Unit Klaus Geil.

At a press conference before the launch of talks, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Świtalski said by the Common Aviation Area with the EU Armenia will become an integral part of the common regulation field. “By applying the European standards and procedures, Armenia will become an integral member of the greater family. Armenia will be able to use wider communication opportunities with the world. For the country, that, unfortunately, still has closed borders, such connectivity with the world has a great significance”, the EU Ambassador said.

Piotr Świtalski said the agreement will bring major benefits to Armenia’s citizens and consumers. “I want the flight connections between the Europe and Armenia to be much more as a result of this agreement. Of course, it is very difficult to force the commercial companies, since they decide their flight routes based on concrete business calculations, however, I must state that this agreement will enable them to positively consider the opportunities to operate flights to Armenia. As a result of emerging competition, the prices of air tickets will decrease, and Armenian citizens will be able to travel more to Europe and other places throughout the world. We hope this agreement will bring many positive benefits to the development of Armenia's tourism and business environment since more tourists will arrive in Armenia from Europe thanks to a wider connectivity. I consider Armenia as one of the most beautiful corners of Europe which is not fully discovered yet”, Świtalski said.

In his turn Sergey Avetisyan said one of the preconditions of ‘Open Sky’ policy launched in 2013 is that Armenia must create a complete legal framework field with the partner states. “This agreement is important for a number of reasons. By this we, in fact, liberalize and regulate our ties with all EU member states. We are obliged to install the European standards in Armenia which will establish a more predictable legal field. This in its turn will provide preconditions for aviation companies to prepare long-term programs. I hope the agreement will be signed soon”, Sergey Avetisyan said.

EU chief negotiator Klaus Geil said they are very happy for the launch of talks on creation of common aviation area with Armenia. “This process has long been prepared. The European Commission gave a mandate to launch talks over signing this agreement with Armenia. We have similar agreements with a number of partner states. We see significant benefits from this, the connectivity increases which is very important for Europe. This is also important for our partner states since markets, flight routes, people operating in the field are increasing, and we realize that the transportations volume is significantly increasing, we see new faces entering the market and creating a serious competition. We realize that as a result of this process the prices of air tickets decrease for consumers”, he said.

He expressed confidence that the agreement will be beneficial for Armenia and the European Union. “In addition to opening the market and eliminating the barriers, it also will include Armenia in the European regulation family. We will set united rules for the common aviation area. We are full of hope that we will finalize the agreement as soon as possible. This is our firm commitment. We are looking forward to the launch of talks”, Klaus Geil said. 








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