TRACECA Civil Aviation Safety Security & Environment Project PROGRESS REPORT n 2 08/01/2010 Annex 7.1 : Minutes of Meeting with DG-TREN Brussels, 11/09/2009 Référence : Minute DG TREN meeting 11-09-09 v1 Date : 23/09/2009 Version : 1
Minute From: Thibault Raisson 23/09/2009 To: N/Réf. : Johannes Baur/EC/DG-TREN Svitlana Didkivska/EC/EU Delegation Kiev Barbara Bernardi/EC/DG EuropeAid Cooperation Office Louis Gerlin/Egis Avia TA/C2245/L090616 Objet : Minutes of Meeting held in Brussels on 11th of September 2009 A meeting was held in Brussels on the 11th of September between DG TREN and Egis Avia. Participants were: DG-TREN Mr Johannes Baur Multilateral Relations Mr Mikolaj Ratajczyk Mr Jacinto Lopez Mr Philippe Gaillard Mrs Olga Koumartsioti EGIS AVIA Mr Thibault Raisson Mr Louis Gerlin Administrator, Int. Market, Air Transport Agreements & Administrator, Air Safety Unit Administrator Air Safety Unit Administrator Air Safety Principal Administrator Aviation Safety Project Manager TRACECA Civil Aviation Project Team Leader TRACECA Civil Aviation Project Purpose of the meeting The purpose of the meeting was to exchange feed-back after the survey visits done to the 9 Beneficiary countries within frame of the TRACECA project, and discuss more specifically on the support measures in the field of aviation safety to be taken by the project towards countries with carriers on the list of airlines banned within the EU 1. Minute DG-TREN opens the meeting and welcomes the participants. Egis Avia then makes a summarised review of the results of the 9 survey visits, for discussion with DG-TREN. After this preliminary exchange of views, the meeting focused on the key issues for the most sensitive visited countries. DG TREN noted that it is essential to differentiate between those countries that endeavour to become part of the European aviation system (such as Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova or Armenia); and those countries in Central Asia where the main priority is to achieve compliance with international safety standards. 1 Included on the Community list of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the Community Référence : Minute DG TREN meeting 11-09-09 v1 Date : 23/09/2009 Version : 1
Référence : Minute DG TREN meeting 11-09-09 v1 THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC All Kyrgyz carriers are on the black-list since 2006. It appears that in the meantime the Kyrgyz Authority did substantial efforts to correct the situation. They are motivated to get out of this situation, and repeated their request for support from the Project to help them. A new ICAO audit was done early this year, but the results of this new audit are not known yet. If the relating finding report is satisfactory and if the new action plan is accepted by ICAO, it may be possible that the EU revises its position early 2010. Support should be provided by the Project to the Kyrgyz authority in helping them to produce an acceptable corrective action plan to ICAO and to provide the necessary training in view of the implementation of the measures already undertaken by the Kyrgyz side. Providing this support is a high priority for the Project. KAZAKHSTAN All Kazakh carriers but one are on the list of airlines banned within the EU, Air Astana is subject to operating restrictions (on Annex B). From the ICAO report it appears that the Kazakh government has to re-think the whole safety system. Re-thinking means structuring the whole Regulation, Authority, etc The probable timeframe for achieving that is 2 to 5 years. Job to be done is first to indentify the exact state where stand the CAA, then establish reasonable targets. This will be to reform the sector and develop a corrective action plan. It must be noted that the EU assessments of third country carriers or administrations are made vs international standards. Therefore a target of compliance with ICAO is more important for the time being than alignment with EU standards. Contact point for discussing these matters is the Chairman of the Aviation Committee Mr Adimolda. Egis Avia should also contact Mrs Gulnara Dussupova in Almaty EU Delegation for finding the contact with the Deputy Transport Minister. Providing this support is a high priority for the Project. TADJIKISTAN For the time being no Tadjik carrier is on the list of airlines banned within the EU. However it seems from the report made by the project that the Tajik safety oversight is weak. An ICAO visit was done, but the report not issued yet. For further actions, the Project must prioritize the process of AOC delivery/control as example for a first structuring action. We should act en amont and help them in their organisation. To that effect, common actions with the Kyrgyz Republic (or Kazakhstan) could be an efficient option. 05/02/2010 page 3/5
UZBEKISTAN Référence : Minute DG TREN meeting 11-09-09 v1 The Uzbek authorities did not show a clear involvement in the Project. Furthermore, the Uzbek CAA clearly indicated that their regulatory base is largely done by the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee. Therefore, it would not be relevant to give a high priority to actions towards them. Being Beneficiaries of the Project, they will be informed and invited to take part to all events organised by the Project. Final decisions regarding actual participation to such or such event will be in their hands. However, Uzbek carriers have operations to/from/over the EU. Therefore an eye should be kept on performance of these carriers. If problems occur during the timeframe of the Project (until end 2011), DG-TREN will inform the project who will dedicate resources for support at that time. MOLDOVA Egis Avia noted that the situation in Moldova appeared rather good, and it seems that they have reached a good level in alignment with EU regulation. Com drew the attention of the Project on the fact that vigilance is required for the future. The trainings required for Moldova will have to be at more advanced level. One of their major issues will be the phasing-out of the old system (CIS built aircraft). UKRAINE There are 3 Ukrainian carriers on the list of airlines banned within the EU. The Project indicated that the major problem there is in the deep structure more than a question of know-how. It must be also considered that Ukraine already had a dedicated Twinning Project, and it is doubtful that the present Project could do better than the Twinning in terms of training. Concrete steps towards Ukraine should be rediscussed at the end of the year following further progress in the EU-Ukraine negotiations on a Common Aviation Area Agreement. Being beneficiaries of the Project, they will be informed and invited to take part to all events organised by the Project. Miscellaneous 1. In the region, some countries are more advanced in organising their Civil Aviation, some are less. As a consequence, the trainings will have to be tailored, addressing at least 2 levels (Caucasus / Central Asia). 2. A training or seminar must be included on SAFA for all countries. In particular, it will have to develop knowledge on how to remove findings (in depth, not just repair the bits & pieces), and also understand the SAFA procedure. SAFA must also be presented as a tool to evaluate and adapt oversight capability in the country. 3. For the up-coming opening seminar: the Project must invite the Chairs of Transport Committee in all participating countries. This will contribute to help them making the proper choice for organising / re-organising the sector, 05/02/2010 page 4/5
Référence : Minute DG TREN meeting 11-09-09 v1 including when applicable developing appropriate Corrective Action Plans relating to ICAO audits. 4. For the seminar on ETS, DG-TREN reminded that it is important to organise this seminar before the end of the year. All Beneficiary countries are interested. 5. A TRACECA working group with DG-TREN is planned by the end of this year. It is proposed that the Project prepares a presentation for this event. 6. It has been stated that the project s web site will be launched within the coming two months. 7. Following the request of DG TREN, TRACECA project team will provide DG TREN with the national CAA contact list 05/02/2010 page 5/5