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EU welcomes ICAO call on Russia to respect int'l aviation rules

BRUSSELS, Aug 4 (KUNA) - The European Union welcomed the decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency responsible for regulating air transport, to call on Russia to immediately cease its infractions of international aviation rules, in order to preserve the safety and security of civil aviation.
ICAO informed yesterday its 193 Member States about "Russia's blatant non-respect of crucial international aviation law and will bring the issue to its next general Assembly, taking place from 27 September to 7 October 2022," said the European Commission in a press release on Thursday. The ICAO decision refers to the violation of Ukraine's sovereign airspace in the context of Russia's war, and to the deliberate and continued violation of several safety requirements in an attempt by the Russian government to circumvent EU sanctions, it noted.
Adina Valean, EU Commissioner responsible for Transport, said, "It is of utmost importance for all countries to defend the international aviation rules-based system, for the safety of passengers and crew." "Russia continues to disrespect the fundamental rules of international aviation and to instruct its airlines to work against these rules. I welcome the ICAO Council's clear condemnation, which reflects the gravity of the actions undertaken by Russia," she added. Based in Montreal, Canada, ICAO has several regional offices around the world. (end) nk.gb