I am writing to inform your Commmittee that the Transport Council on 30 November agreed to grant a mandate to the European Commission to negotiate a comprehensive aviation agreement between the European Community and its Member States on the one hand and the Kingdom of Jordan the other hand.

The mandate envisages the negotiation of a so-called "Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Ageement" along the lines of the one already agreed with Morocco. It calls for the opening up of markets between the EU and Jordan in return for which Jordan would agree to adopt harmonised and equivalent regulatory standards based on EU legislation. The areas to be covered include safety, security, competition, state aids, environmental measures, air traffic management, rights of investment and technical assistance.

  A phased agreement is envisaged, with access to the EU market dependent on satisfactory progress by Jordan in implementing Community standards, notably on safety and security. The Commission will be assisted in the negotiations by a Special Committee of representatives from the member states. Once concluded, the agreement would replace existing bilateral air services agreements between individual EU Member States and Jordan.

  It is understood that the Kingdom of Jordan is receptive to an agreement of this type, and negotiations can be expected to begin early in 2008.

14 December 2007