The draft law on the “Ratification of the Common Aviation Area Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part.”

The bill was approved by the competent parliamentary committee with a wide majority as, in addition to the ND, SYRIZA, the New Left and the “Spartiates” voted in favor. PASOK, Hellenic Solution, Niki and Freedom Sailing expressed reservations. He voted against the KKE.

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christina Alexopoulou he emphasized that the Agreement is for the benefit of the European Union and by extension our country and the goal is to expand aviation cooperation between the countries and ultimately, it serves our interests at an international level. Among other things, the immediate adoption of measures for climate change and for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in air travel is supported by both Contracting Parties. Overall, healthy and fair competition in air transport is increasing for the benefit of consumers, whose protection is anyway the objective of the Bilateral Agreement. It is important that the obstacles to the exercise of business activity are to be removed, while a Joint Committee is being set up to monitor the implementation of all the conditions and therefore also this point, i.e. the unhindered business activity between all countries. In addition, reference is also made to the working conditions of air transport workers that may be burdened by the growing commercial traffic. Finally, the competent deputy minister stated that it may seem that today a formal Ratification of an International Agreement is being discussed, but in fact we are opening new roads, new horizons for our country, especially in Tourism, while the terms agreed will certainly bring significant benefits at the level commercial transport.

This Agreement will contribute to making air transportation even more inaccessible and expensive for workers and for all these reasons, the KKE votes against the agreement, considering that air transportation should be upgraded public, with cheap services and with workers, who will have a stable job and salary, which will meet today’s needs and conditions, said Io. Delis on behalf of the KKE.

Tomorrow, in the Plenary Session, the special buyers of the parties that declared a reservation will be appointed.