EMAC regional conference to discuss air safety projects

A coordinating committee of the European – Middle East Air Traffic Management Coordination (EMAC), meeting here tomorrow, will decide on projects relating to air traffic issues to be submitted for European Union funding.

Speaking to CNA, Permanent Secretary of the Communications and Works Ministry Makis Konstantinides has said the projects will begin in December 2006 and full implementation will conclude a year later.

He said the EU Commission had already decided to fund various projects with almost two million euro.

EMAC is a Cypriot initiative, embracing Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria with a view to improve coordination of civil aviation authorities and enhance cooperation with other interested countries on a regional level.

Konstantinides said the projects initially chosen relate to the common adaptation of Eurocontrol and EU security regulations in air traffic control, personnel training and creation of terminals for the control of air traffic between Europe and the Middle East and an assessment of the existing air corridor network coupled with proposals to improve the network.

Konstantinides noted that Cyprus is already enforcing EU air safety regulations and adoption of these regulations by other countries in the Middle East will increase regional air safety.

Civil aviation authorities, airlines, air controllers and pilots associations and airport authorities will also participate in the conference.