MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile and EU closer to an open skies agreement

The European Union and Chile are working in the finishing touches to an open skies agreement which will enable reciprocity for air operators of each side, announced Luxembourg's Foreign Affairs minister Jean Asselborn.

"After having checked there are no legal impediments, we expect to further advance in June", said Mr. Asselborn in Luxembourg following the meeting Thursday of the EU-Chile Association Council. Luxembourg currently holds the presidency of the EU.

Foreign Affairs European Commissar Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that negotiations with Chile will lead to "the first horizontal agreement on air space to be discussed and concluded" with a third country. "This is a clear signal to keep advancing towards more open trade and free access of goods", she added.

"Our goal is a policy of open skies" said Chilean Foreign Affairs minister Ignacio Walker who argued that the "horizontal agreement represents the first step in that direction". "Distance between Chile and the EU must become shorter and shorter" since the growing dialogue between Latinamerica and the EU "demands new forms of transport".

Last September Chile and EU subscribed a "Horizontal agreement of services and air transport" which adjusted and adapted all current air service accords between Chile and the EU 25 member countries, clearing the way for the open skies discussions.

"It's essential to have improved access to the European Union and expand connectivity", stressed Mr. Walker who added that Chile already has implemented open skies agreements and "we want to be the first country that signs such an agreement with the European Union".

The EU-Chile Association Council meeting also reviewed the bilateral free trade agreement which has seen trade jump to 11 billion US dollars, with a 58% increase in Chilean sales to EU in 2004 and a further 31% in the first quarter of 2005.