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European Commission Vice President
Barrot (Left) & US Transportation Secretary Mineta
March 22, 2005
Joint
Statement on EU/US Transportation Discussions
US Secretary of Transportation Norman
Y. Mineta and EU [European] Commission Vice President in
charge of Transport Jacques Barrot
met today to discuss a range of transport
issues of mutual interest.
Given the importance of transportation to the economies
of the United States and the European Union and its essential
role in global
commerce, Secretary Mineta and Commissioner Barrot agreed
on the importance of continuing to develop US-EU cooperation
in the transportation sector.
With respect to air
services, Commissioner Barrot and Secretary Mineta announced
that, consistent with the June
2004 Summit Statement of President Bush and President
Prodi, they would continue their efforts to work towards
a “comprehensive aviation accord
that will expand opportunities not only for airlines, but
also for airports, tourism, business links and cargo transport.”
They have asked their negotiators to review further the
possible elements of a US-EU air services agreement with
the goal of establishing a solid basis on which formal negotiations
can be resumed.
Commissioner Barrot and Secretary Mineta welcomed the substantial
progress made in negotiations between the European Commission
and the United States Government towards an aviation safety
agreement and look forward to its successful conclusion.
This agreement will foster working arrangements between
the Federal Aviation Administration and the recently-launched
European
Aviation Safety Agency.
Secretary Mineta and Commissioner Barrot also welcomed the
start of discussions between the European Commission and
the Federal Aviation Administration in the area of air traffic
management, where both sides are working on new technological
solutions that will make aviation more reliable and more
efficient in the future.
Noting that there are more than 1.2 million road traffic
fatalities worldwide each year, Secretary Mineta and Commissioner
Barrot also discussed potential collaborative efforts to
promote global road traffic safety, to reduce this tragic
and costly loss of lives.
Further Contact Information
Press and Media Relations
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
