Air Moldova and the Association of European Airlines (AEA) intend to initiate negotiations in order to establish a strategic partnership within the framework of a new program that will include non European airlines operating services to and from Europe. The first round of negotiations is going to take place in August, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the national airline. “I strongly believe that such partnership would bring a tremendous added value to Air Moldova and would facilitate its business with respect to the European market,” said Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, Secretary General of the Association of European Airlines. Signing the agreement on strategic partnership opens up the flagship of the Moldovan civil aviation important resources in the statistical market research and trend analysis. The AEA gives its members the support they need to focus on their businesses and make them thrive, by following all aero political issues, analyzing their impact, recommending strategies, networking with all relevant stakeholders and influencing the legislative process, it is said in a press release from Air Moldova. The Association of European Airlines has been the trusted voice of the European airline industry for over 50 years. It currently brings together 36 major airlines from across Europe. Only airlines with an internationally recognized status can join the program. Air Moldova became a member of International Association of Air Transport (IATA) in 2004. In 2008, it was included in the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program.