Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., February 07, 2008 Adar1 1, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:03 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 16:01 06/02/2008 Israel, EU sign understandings on way to global aviation deal By Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: transportation ministry  In another step towards opening Israel's skies to competition, Israel and the European Commission on Wednesday signed a preliminary memorandum of understandings towards signing a unified global aviation agreement between Israel and the states of Europe. The agreement is expected to fully remove the aviation limitations currently in place between Israel and European Union states. The memorandum has no immediate affect on passengers flying to and from Israel, but if it indeed leads to a global aviation agreement, flight prices are expected to decrease. "The agreement will upgrade Israel's status in dealing with European states," Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz said. "In practice, this is an Israeli agreement to conduct changes in its aviation agreements with the EU, which would allow leading European companies to fly to Israel, in accordance with bilateral arrangements between the states." Advertisement Mofaz, who spoke Tuesday at the international tourism conference in Tel Aviv's Exhibition Grounds, added that the new agreement would bring about a 30 percent reduction in ticket prices for travel between Israel and Europe. According to Mofaz, the memorandum signed significantly tempers the existing bilateral aviation agreements and would allow multinational airlines and subsidiaries to fly to Israel, increasing competition and freedom of movement among airlines. On Wednesday, the transportation minister met with the EU envoy in Israel and with the EU's aviation delegation. Transportation Ministry Director General Gideon Siterman, who headed the Israeli delegation to aviation talks in Jerusalem Tuesday, said, "The EU delegates agreed to Israel's request to make several amendments to the agreement that would protect Israel's interest, among them the aviation rights of Israeli airlines." Siterman added that, "signing the memorandum of understandings paves the way for the European Commission to receive a mandate from the EU's council to commence global negotiations with Israel, leading up to the removal of most of the existing obstacles to implementing an open skies policy with the EU." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Get a job The Interior Minister tells the ultra-Orthodox to find work and enlist in the IDF. Trapped in Gaza An Irish woman and her daughter are stuck in Gaza after Egypt seals the border.   1.   Protecting a Below Standard Airline - ElAl 16:15  |  Phil 06/02/08   2.   Phil: El-Al slander 16:32  |  Shai 06/02/08   3.   To # 1 Phil: you`re right, you`re absolutely right 16:40  |  Robin 06/02/08   4.   To Shai 17:17  |  Phil 06/02/08   5.   In Praise of EL AL 18:06  |  Jonathan S 06/02/08   6.   another airline 18:25  |  charro 06/02/08   7.   Jonathan S. - wrong again 20:29  |  Philip 06/02/08   8.   El Al now is an expensive but quality airline 20:29  |  Vitaly 06/02/08   9.   Israel - More Diplomatic Recognition 22:02  |  Reid 06/02/08   10.   Stoopid Prices 23:09  |  David 06/02/08   11.   The EL AL record is exemplary #7 23:26  |  Jonathan S 06/02/08   12.   1 say what you want about el al but... 00:12  |  safe not sorry 07/02/08   13.   El Al is the best 01:20  |  B. Schaepdryver 07/02/08   14.   I thought the EU was anti-Israel? 01:41  |  peacelover 07/02/08

Today Online Gov't task force mulls international presence in Gaza Strip Responses: 177 Two children lightly hurt in Qassam strike on Negev kibbutz Responses: 162 Arab lecturer told to respect students' right to wear IDF uniform Responses: 228 Egypt warns Hamas against provocations on Gaza border Responses: 71 Ukraine college rector: 'No such thing as anti-Semitism' Responses: 117 Rosner's Domain The Jewish vote: Obama carried Massachusetts, Connecticut From Super Bowl drama to Super Tuesday drama True or false: Obama is pro-Palestinian, McCain will appoint James Baker Iraq, remember? (WTR) Obama, Clinton and Iran: The vote that made the difference More Headlines 01:07 Hamas: More suicide attacks on Israel to come 00:24 IDF soldier collapses, dies for unknown reasons at training base 21:23 Palestinian poll says Gaza border breach boosted Hamas' popularity 01:38 EU envoy warns Gaza could become the next Somalia 20:22 Red Cross urges immediate global ban on cluster bombs 14:55 Police official: Gap in W. Bank barrier is calling out to bombers 15:42 The Jewish vote: Obama carried Massachusetts, Connecticut 12:33 Winograd panel member hints PM shouldn't quit despite damning report 21:28 Irish woman, daughter stuck in Gaza after Egypt seals border 16:01 Israel, EU sign understandings on way to global aviation deal 17:24 Dichter: Heating, air conditioning to be installed in new prisons 21:35 Super Tuesday: U.S. vote puts McCain ahead; Clinton, Obama draw Previous Editions Select Day 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 25 jan 24 jan

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