No. H 225/07
For release - November 27, 2007
OTTAWA — The first round of negotiations for an Open Skies-type air transport agreement between Canada and the European Union was announced today by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver–Whistler Olympics.
"The European Union is Canada's second largest air transport market. That is why we hope to conclude an agreement in a timely fashion, as indicated by the Prime Minister at June's Canada–EU Summit," said Minister Cannon. "We will soon be welcoming international representatives, several from EU countries, to celebrate Quebec City's 400th anniversary and to host the Francophonie Summit in Quebec in 2008. For these representatives and all travellers, this agreement could mean more choices in terms of destinations, flights and routes, and the potential for lower fares."
Canada currently has bilateral agreements with 19 of the 27 European Union member states. They are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
"Canada enjoys a dynamic trade relationship and close cultural ties with the countries of the European Union," said Minister Emerson. "A new liberalized air services agreement is a key building block for the kind of stronger and deeper trade and investment links we are trying to build with the EU into the future."
Under a Canada–European Union agreement, Canada's air transport relations with all 27 member states would be governed by a single regime. Signing a comprehensive air services agreement would provide a framework to strengthen the bilateral aviation relationship by opening new markets, especially in Eastern Europe.
These negotiations are in line with the Blue Sky policy introduced one year ago today. The Blue Sky policy was developed to help Canada's air industry continue to contribute to our country's growth and prosperity. It reflects the evolving nature of the global aviation market.
Since its launch on November 27, 2006, Canada has successfully concluded Open Skies-type agreements with Ireland, Iceland and New Zealand. In addition to the Open Skies agreements, Canada also concluded new or expanded air services agreements with Croatia, Serbia, Japan, Kuwait, Jordan and Singapore.
The Canada–European Union air market is large and mature. In 2006, with more than 6.7 million one-way passenger trips, the European Union was Canada's second largest bilateral air market after the United States.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
François Jubinville
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
613-992-7332
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International
Trade Canada
613-996-2000
www.international.gc.ca
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