The negotiations on Common Aviation Area Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union have officially been launched today.

“This is a significant development, as the agreement will allow Armenia, a landlocked country with two closed borders, to build a stronger bridge with Europe and outside world,” Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski said.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that the successful implementation of the agreement would result in reduction of air ticket prices.

Head of the General Department of the Civil Aviation Sergey Avetisyan, who leads the Armenian negotiating group, remarked that Armenia would commit with this agreement to the implementation and localization of a number of standards, successfully applied in the European Union.

According to him, Armenia will join the common aviation area with the European Union, which will result in mutual liberalization of the market, giving air companies large opportunities for operating air routes and equally providing services to around 500 mln market without any restrict.

“We will create in Armenia a more predictable legal zone in accordance with the current political situation, which will create prerequisite for long-term programs, approved by air companies,” Sergey Avetisyan said.

“We are aware of the fact that a number of European carrier are interested in entering this market, so they are looking forward to finalizing the negotiations of this agreement,” said Deputy Head of Unit for Aviation Agreements of the European Commission Klaus Gail.