The FINANCIAL -- Georgia and the European Union initialled, on 5 March in Tbilisi , a comprehensive air services agreement that will open and integrate their respective aviation markets. A common aviation area will gradually be put in place by the two parties, which implies bringing Georgia’s legislation into line with EU standards, particularly on aviation safety and security, the environment, consumer protection, traffic management and competition.

The agreement, initialled on 5 March, will be transmitted to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. This marks a change in the decision making process: with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, Parliament now has a right of veto (assent) over international aviation agreements, whereas it used to be involved through the consultation procedure.

The EU is negotiating agreements of this type with Ukraine , Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Tunisia and Algeria. It has already concluded similar agreements with the Western Balkan countries and Morocco.
It will enable all EU airlines to operate direct flights to Georgia from anywhere in the Union and vice versa for Georgian carriers

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