Brussels, Feb 24 (IANS) The European Union (EU) and Pakistan signed an aviation agreement here Tuesday to boost air services cooperation, EuAsiaNews reported.
“The agreement signed today is good news for both Pakistani and EU airlines as well as for passengers as it removes the legal uncertainty from the existing bilateral air services agreements. I welcome this important step in the EU’s air transport relations with Pakistan,” said European Commission (EC) Vice-President Antonio Tajani.

The so-called “horizontal” aviation agreement does not replace the bilateral agreements in place between Pakistan and 18 EU member states, but brings these in line with EU law, an EC statement said.

The agreement will remove nationality restrictions in bilateral air services agreements between EU member states and Pakistan, thereby allowing any EU airline to operate flights between Pakistan and the EU member state in which it is established, in which a bilateral agreement with Pakistan already exists, and in which traffic rights are available.

“The agreement is an important step towards strengthening aviation relations and encouraging further traffic between the EU and Pakistan. Air transport is crucial for the relations between the EU and Pakistan, linking people, cultures and businesses,” added the statement.