Representatives of civil society urge signing Common Aviation Area agreement

The signing of the Common Aviation Agreement between Moldova and the EU will create conditions for providing cheaper plane tickets and safer flights for the Moldovans, State Chancellery head Victor Bodiu, who is the chief negotiator on behalf of Moldova in the open consultations on the content of the accord with civil society and airlines, said on July 22, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Leonid Litra, deputy head of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, said the Common Aviation Agreement will represent a catalyst for swiftly finishing the negotiations on the agreement concerning the liberalized visa regime. The chairman of the National Participation Council Sorin Mereacre said there are a number of reasons why this agreement should be signed. First of all, it will stimulate the interhuman communication between the citizens of Moldova and the EU citizens. Secondly, Moldova would be visited by more tourists and the tourism sector would develop. Oleg Budza, head of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova, said the agreement will contribute to a reduction in the prices of plane tickets. According to him, almost 500,000 passengers a year avoid the Chisinau International Airport and travel through Bucharest, Kiev or Odessa because it is cheaper. The representatives of two airlines said the agreement is welcome, but some of the clauses should be reviewed so as to make sure that the Moldovan operators have access to the EU airports. Moldova was authorized by the EU to negotiate the agreement on the establishment of a Common Aviation Area on June 16. The negotiations with representatives of the European Commission will include three rounds. The first meeting will take place on July 27-28 in Chisinau, while the next in September and November.