Ukraine ratifies the Open Skies agreement signed with European Union

On February 17, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine adopted a law on ratification of the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on the Common Aviation Area.

Some 311 deputies voted for the ratification of the agreement. The purpose of the agreement is the gradual creation of a Common Aviation Area between Ukraine and the EU and its Member States, based, in particular, on identical rules in the field of flight safety, aviation security, air traffic management, environmental protection, consumer protection, computer reservation systems, as well as on identical rules regarding social aspects.

To this end, the agreement establishes mandatory rules, technical requirements, administrative procedures, basic operational standards and implementation standards applied between the parties. Common Aviation Area operates on the basis of free access to the air transportation market and on equal terms of competition.

Ukraine is taking the necessary measures to incorporate into the legal system of Ukraine and implement the requirements and standards of the acts of the European Union. The parties cooperate, among other things, in order to achieve convergence of certification systems in the areas of primary certification and maintaining airworthiness.

Upon request, the Parties shall provide each other with all necessary assistance to prevent acts of illegal seizure of civil aircraft and other illegal acts directed against the safety of such aircraft, their passengers and crew, airports and air navigation facilities, as well as any other threat to the safety of civil aviation. The Parties recognised the importance of environmental protection in the development and implementation of aviation policy.

On October 12, 2021, Ukraine and the European Union signed the Common Aviation Area Agreement. On June 28, 2021, the EU Council approved the signing of the Common Aviation Area Agreement with Ukraine, as well as with three other countries – Armenia, Tunisia and Qatar.

The process of harmonisation of the Ukrainian aviation space with the EU was started in 1999. On December 12, 2006, the EU Council authorized the European Commission to start relevant negotiations with Ukraine. In October 2013, the text of the Agreement was agreed upon by the parties, but due to foreign policy conditions, its signing was postponed indefinitely.