Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement between the EU and Morocco

SUMMARY OF:

Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Morocco, of the other part

Decision 2006/959/EC on the signature and provisional application of the Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Morocco, of the other part

Decision (EU) 2018/146 on the conclusion of the Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Morocco, of the other part

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISIONS?

The agreement aims to create the conditions for a gradual opening of market access for all European Union — EU (European Community) and Moroccan airlines.
The agreement also provides a regulatory framework and sets high standards for a wide range of aviation issues, such as aviation safety, security, passenger rights, air traffic management, economic regulation, competition issues, and environmental and social aspects.
Decision 2006/959/EC authorised the signing and provisional application of the agreement.
Decision (EU) 2018/146 officially concludes the agreement.

KEY POINTS

The agreement covers three main areas of cooperation.

1.
Economic rules

The agreement sets out rules on a number of aspects of economic cooperation between the EU and Morocco, including:
- traffic rights — including the unlimited right to fly between the EU and Morocco, over the other party’s territory or to make a stop in the other’s territory for non-traffic purposes;
- authorisations — for air carriers of both parties to operate in the territory of the other;
- rules to ensure fair competition and to facilitate business activities;
- rules on user charges for airport and aviation facilities and services.
2.
Regulatory cooperation (aviation safety, security and air traffic management)

Both parties must:
- conform with the EU’s safety legislation as listed in the agreement’s annex;
- cooperate on security and conform with the standards listed in the agreement’s annex;
- cooperate in air traffic management with a view to extend the single European sky to Morocco;
- conform with the EU’s legislation on air traffic management as listed in the agreement’s annex.
Parties also agreed to act in accordance with EU legislation on matters relating to the environment, consumer protection and social aspects.
3.
Institutional rules (administration and enforcement)
- Each party is responsible for enforcing the rules of the agreement on its territory.
- A Joint Committee comprising representatives of both parties, and meeting at least yearly, is responsible for administering the agreement and ensuring its proper implementation.
- The agreement includes a dispute resolution mechanism and foresees the possibility for either party to take safeguard measures in case of non-fulfilment of its obligations by the other party.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement has provisionally applied since 12 December 2006 and entered into force on 19 March 2018.

BACKGROUND

This agreement is the first to strengthen air relations between the EU and neighbouring Mediterranean countries in the context of the European Commission communication on developing the agenda for the Community’s external aviation policy.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (OJ L 386, 29.12.2006, pp. 57-88)

Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Decision 2006/959/EC of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 4 December 2006 on the signature and provisional application of the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (OJ L 386, 29.12.2006, pp. 55-56)

Council Decision (EU) 2018/146 of 22 January 2018 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (OJ L 26, 31.1.2018, pp. 4-5)