PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Air Transport Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: the Council decided, in particular to take account of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, to consult once again the European Parliament on the amending legislative proposal on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Air Transport Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part.
The Commission negotiated, on behalf of the European Community and of the Member States, the Air Transport Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part, in accordance with the Council Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations.
The Agreement was signed on 25 and 30 April 2007, and has been applied provisionally since 30 March 2008. Croatia will accede to the Agreement in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Act of Accession annexed to the Treaty of Accession.
CONTENT: the draft Council decision seeks the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the Air Transport Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part.
The Agreement aims to facilitate the expansion of international air transport opportunities by opening access to markets and maximising benefits for consumers, airlines, workers and communities on both sides of the Atlantic ocean.