Rada ratifies the open skies agreement with the European Union

The building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in KievKYIV, Feb. 17 The Verkhovna Rada ratified at a meeting on Thursday agreement on a common aviation area between Ukraine and the European Union. This decision was supported by 311 parliamentarians with the required minimum of 226 votes. The agreement was signed by the parties on October 12, 2021 at the Ukraine-EU summit in Kiev. Ukraine announced the successful blocking of Nord Stream 2. The signed document provides for the creation of a joint aviation space between Ukraine and the EU, which will facilitate mutual access to the air transportation markets with equal competitive conditions. The agreement also deals with flight safety, aviation security, air traffic management, harmonization of the social sphere and environmental protection. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal previously stated that the agreement on a common aviation space is «aviation visa-free» for both Ukrainian and European air carriers. According to him, the governments of Ukraine and the EU countries will no longer provide appointments for a particular route. Air carriers will be able to negotiate directly with airports on the possibility of flights and their number. In 2006, the Council of the EU authorized the European Commission to start negotiations with Kiev.