EU seeks air agreements with China, Russia

The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), said on Monday in Brussels that it would start negotiations aimed at ambitious air agreements with China and Russia.

In a strategic approach to develop external aspect of the EU aviation market, the Commission said that it would seek the EU governments' authorization to start "open skies" agreement with China and Russia without further ado.

The Commission also wishes to create a common airspace with neighboring countries by 2010.

"International air traffic regulations are in need of modernizing. By creating a single aviation market, the EU has opened up new opportunities for airlines and passengers," said Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot in a statement.

"Common markets have yet to be created between the EU and third countries. Europe's capacity to build new markets, in relationships of trust with its partners, will give air traffic worldwide a major boost," he added.

The EU is the destination of 75 percent of all passenger traffic from Russia. The Chinese market is especially appealing ahead of the 2008 Olympics, said Barrot. An EU-China summit on aviation will be organized in Beijing in June.