Turkey’s ban on Cypriot aircrafts discussed

Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works Nicos Nicolaides discussed during the EU Transport Council the issue of Turkey’s refusal to allow Cypriot aircrafts to use its air space.

Nicolaides met on the sideline of the Council meeting with European Commission Director of Air Transport Daniel Calleja, with whom he discussed Turkey’s refusal to allow the use of its air space by Cypriot aircrafts.

The Cypriot Minister, who represented Cyprus at the Council, said that Turkey’s ongoing refusal has financial and other impacts as environmental ones, due to the additional distances, which the Cypriot airliners have to cover in their flights to and from the north and northeast Europe.

EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council approved on Monday the SESAR project, which aims to create a new-generation European system for air traffic control in Europe, essential for the sustainable growth of air transport in Europe in the next 20 years. SESAR is the technological part of the Single European Sky programme.

Nicolaides, described as noteworthy the reference by the Commissioner for Transport Antonio Tajani to the negative stance of Turkey in relation to the disengagement of 700 million euros from the Eurocontrol funds.

Tajani said that this affects negatively the development and implementation of SESAR.

The Council also discussed the problem that has emerged due to the piracy against ships in Somalia. Nicolaides said that Council must send a clear message for further enhancing measures to solve this problem. These measures include the use of modern means of satellite surveillance and the increased operational action of the European maritime force to protect ships off the East African coast.