Qatar and EU Conclude Negotiations on Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement

The European Union has concluded negotiations for a landmark Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement with the State of Qatar.

The historic agreement, the first of its kind between the EU and a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state, will allow all air carriers from the 28 European Union member states and Qatar to have unlimited and unrestricted access to their respective territories.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker (pictured), said, “The agreement will offer a common platform for airlines in Europe and Qatar to understand each other better, creating new opportunities for collaboration and cooperation. We approach the principle of fair competition very simply: fair access to markets, competing for market share based on products and services of what the customer wants and is willing to purchase.”

As part of this agreement, the State of Qatar and the EU have taken bold steps by agreeing to articles on: fair competition, environment, consumer protection, social aspects, and transparency, as well as the inclusion of a doing-business provision, which exempts EU carriers from the obligation to hire a local General Sales Agent in Qatar.

European Commission Director General Mobility and Transport, Mr. Henrik Hololei, said: “We are very pleased to have concluded our negotiations with the State of Qatar here in Doha. Thanks to the strong commitment of all parties, we have managed to reconcile our differences and found common ground through honest engagement and open dialogue.”

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