Israel will participate in a regional aviation initiative according to an agreement signed Thursday in Jerusalem during a meeting of EU–Israel Joint Committee set up under the EU–Israel aviation agreement.
EU Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, signed the Blue-Med Functional Airspace Block (FAB) agreement with Israel’s Minister in charge of transport and road safety, Israel Katz.
The Blue-Med FAB has been developed by Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Malta with the aim of integrating the operation of their national airspaces, thereby generating operational, economic, environmental and other benefits in terms of improved safety.
During his visit, the EU commissioner discussed closer cooperation between the EU and Israel in the field of aviation including in the areas of aviation safety, security and air traffic management.
In June, the EU and Israel signed a comprehensive new air transport agreement in an effort to encourage a larger number of European airlines to operate direct flights to and from the Jewish State.
Under the agreement, all airlines from the 27-nation EU will be able to fly direct to Israel and Israeli carriers will be allowed to fly to airports throughout the EU..
Kallas said: "Israel is a key partner for the EU in transport. The aviation agreement that we signed earlier this year is very important for further strengthening the overall economic exchanges, trade and tourism as well as broader political relations between Israel and the EU. I am very pleased that the agreement is already starting to have a positive impact in the market – to the benefit of consumers."
The visit also covered road safety, in particular innovative technology. Israel is associated with the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development an it will continue to be eligible for Horizon 2020, the new flagship EU program for research and innovation funding, after an agreement was recently found with the EU on the conditions.