EU, Qatar sign aviation agreement

BRUSSELS, Oct 18 (KUNA) - The European Union and Qatar Monday signed an agreement on Air Transport, the first between the EU and a Gulf state, according to EU High Representative Josep Borrell.
"Qatar becomes today the first Gulf country with whom we conclude such agreement. You are the first one, I hope you will not be the last one," he said in press statements after signing the agreement at the margins of the EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg today.
"Today marks the conclusion of five years of work and constructive engagement," said Borrell and expressed his happiness that the agreement follows his recent visit to Qatar.
"This agreement provides a new global benchmark for aviation agreement. Together we are opening opportunities for our businessmen and we will bring our citizens closer. We look forward to the practical implementation of this agreement," he said.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the EU by Borrell and Anze Logar, Slovenian foreign minister whose country holds the current EU Presidency.
Jassim bin Saif AL SULAITI; Minister of Transport and Communication of Qatar sing the agreement on his country's behalf.
On his part, Logar said in press statements that the agreement is a "crowning achievement of years and years of negotiations. Qatar is an important partner of the EU and this agreement represents the continuation of our close cooperation." The agreement will replace several bilateral agreements with the multilateral agreement and will benefit our consumers and economies, he added. (end) nk.aa