[Avionics Today 03-11-2016] The European Commission is moving forward with opening negotiations to establish new Bilateral Air Safety Agreements (BASA) with civil aviation regulatory organizations in China and Japan. According to a statement released by the European Commission, the agreements will seek to contribute to the global competitiveness of the European aviation industry by cutting red tape and facilitating exports.
European Union Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc. Photo: European Commission.
“In January, I told the Aviation Summit that 2016 is the time for delivery of the Aviation Strategy. I am delighted that it is starting to pay off so early. The new Bilateral Air Safety Agreements we are pursuing will offer European companies new business opportunities in China and Japan, two key aeronautical nations. More trade means more growth and jobs in Europe, a priority of President Juncker. And yet these agreements are only one pillar of the ambitious external aviation policy we put forward as part of the new strategy. In 2016, we will also seek to negotiate comprehensive aviation agreements with several key partners — including China — in order to improve Europe’s global connectivity,” said European Union (EU) Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc.
The EU has already successfully concluded bilateral aviation safety agreements with the United States, Brazil, and Canada. In 2016, Commissioner Bulc will travel to China and Japan to discuss details surrounding the BASAs that the EU is seeking.