PURPOSE: the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Maldives on certain aspects of air services.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2008/188/EC on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Maldives on certain aspects of air services.

CONTENT: following the rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in the “Open skies” case, the Council authorised the Commission, in June 2003, to open negotiations with third countries in order to replace certain provisions in existing bilateral agreements with Community agreements. On behalf of the Community, the Commission has negotiated an Agreement with the Republic of Maldives on certain aspects of air services, in accordance with the mechanisms and directives in the Annex to the Council Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations with third countries in order to replace certain provisions in existing bilateral agreements with Community agreements.

The Council decided to approve the agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Maldives on certain aspects of air services. Article 2 of the agreement replaces the traditional designation clauses with a Community designation clause, permitting all Community carriers to benefit from the right of establishment. Article 4 deals with the taxation of aviation fuel, a matter which has been harmonised by Council Directive 2003/96/EC. Article 5 (Pricing) resolves conflicts between the existing bilateral air services agreements and Council Regulation No 2409/92 on fares and rates for air services which prohibits third country carriers from being price leaders on air services for carriage wholly within the Community.

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT), and approved the conclusion of the agreement between the EC and the Maldives on certain aspects of air services.

The committee adopted the report by its chairman, Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT), approving - under the consultation procedure - the conclusion of the agreement between the EC and the Republic of Maldives on certain aspects of air services.

PURPOSE: to sign and conclude an Agreement between the Community and the Republic of the Maldives on certain aspects of air services.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

CONTENT: following a series of ECJ judgements on the “open sky” cases, the Commission has negotiated an Agreement with the Republic of Maldives that replaces certain provisions in existing bilateral air services Agreements between the Member States and the Republic of Maldives.

Article 2 of the Agreement replaces the traditional designation clauses with a Community designation clause, permitting all Community carriers to benefit from the right of establishment. Articles 4 and 5 of the Agreement address two types of clauses concerning matters relating to Community responsibilities. Article 4 deals with the taxation of aviation fuels (a matter which has been harmonised by Council Directive 2003/93/EC on restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity). Article 5 (Pricing) resolves conflicts between existing bilateral air services Agreements and Council Regulation 2409/92 on fares and rates for air services prohibiting third country carriers from being price leaders on air services for carriage wholly within the Community.

The Council is asked to approve the twin Decisions firstly, on the signature and provisional application and secondly, on the Conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Maldives on certain aspects of air services and to designate the persons authorised to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Community.

PURPOSE: to sign and conclude an Agreement between the Community and the Republic of the Maldives on certain aspects of air services.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

CONTENT: following a series of ECJ judgements on the “open sky” cases, the Commission has negotiated an Agreement with the Republic of Maldives that replaces certain provisions in existing bilateral air services Agreements between the Member States and the Republic of Maldives.

Article 2 of the Agreement replaces the traditional designation clauses with a Community designation clause, permitting all Community carriers to benefit from the right of establishment. Articles 4 and 5 of the Agreement address two types of clauses concerning matters relating to Community responsibilities. Article 4 deals with the taxation of aviation fuels (a matter which has been harmonised by Council Directive 2003/93/EC on restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity). Article 5 (Pricing) resolves conflicts between existing bilateral air services Agreements and Council Regulation 2409/92 on fares and rates for air services prohibiting third country carriers from being price leaders on air services for carriage wholly within the Community.

The Council is asked to approve the twin Decisions firstly, on the signature and provisional application and secondly, on the Conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Maldives on certain aspects of air services and to designate the persons authorised to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Community.