At the Transport Council meeting on 30 November a mandate was adopted for the Commission to open negotiations on an agreement regarding aviation security audits/inspections and related matters between the EC and ICAO. The aim of these negotiations is to reduce the burden of multiple audits/inspections on Member States, which are currently very resource intensive.

ICAO conducts a programme of security audits in all its Contracting States with the objective of determining compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in Annex 17 of ICAO's Convention on International Civil Aviation. Audits can include inspections of airports, airlines and National Security Programmes. Similarly there is an EC inspection regime covering much the same areas but seeking compliance with EC Regulation 2320/2002 which established common rules in the field of civil aviation security.

  There is also an obligation under ICAO Annex 17 and the EC Regualtion 1217/03 for Member States to undertake national quality control activities. Under EC Regulation 1217/03, the results of these activities have to be submitted to the Commission each year in an annual report. In addition when the Commission inspect a Member State's airport they can also request such information.

  We look forward to the benefits that would accrue from a satisfactory agreement being reached. The agreement will, necessarily, involve the EC providing some reassurances to ICAO about the validity and effectiveness of their regulatory process. We shall be looking to ensure the confidentiality of any information regarding the EC inspection process provided to ICAO.

11 January 2008