YEREVAN. - In February 2016, Armenia will begin the final stage of talks with the EU Commission on joining the Single European Sky. Artyom Movsisyan, Head of the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia, told the aforesaid to Armenian News – NEWS.am correspondent.

According to him, out of a long list only 5-6 requirements have been left for discussion; all the rest have been fully implemented. The European Common Aviation Area is considered a horizontal agreement, and can thus automatically enter into force for the EU as a whole and for each of its country separately.

The mentioned 5-6 points can relate to technical issues of ground handling operations or availability of certain navigational devices. But the de facto requirements can already have been implemented and the EU official will only have to make sure of that.

In Movsisyan’s words, the agreement must regulate the issues of aviation security, flight support and, finally, the commercial aspect, i.e. mutual rights to flights.  Armenia is basically ready for the first point, since it ensures compliance with Document No 30 of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) every year, he said.  

As a result of the agreement, the Armenian companies will be able to work on the European market without limit. “Currently our agreements with the European states include limitations on certain companies which can fly to each other, as well the frequency and points of those flights. And joining the Single European Sky supposes liberal market. If our companies observe the flight security norms of the given European country, they will be able to fly wherever they want and as often as they wish.  Nobody will tell them they can fly no more than 2 times a week. The companies will freely build their business,” Movsisyan said.