The European Parliament, the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union, adopted on Tuesday in Strasbourg by a large majority (511 votes), the Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement with Morocco. According to EC Europa, this agreement «constitutes the very first stage in the strengthening of air relations between the Community and the neighboring countries of the European Union in the context of the Commission communication 'Developing the agenda for the Community's external aviation policy'». «It would result in an unrestricted commercial environment where operators are free to take commercial decisions, and where they operate under the highest standards in the areas of aviation safety, aviation security, environmental and consumer protection», according to the same source. This agreement, the first to be signed with a country outside the European continent, is part of the privileged partnership resulting from the Barcelona process between the European Union and the countries bordering the Mediterranean sea. Provisionally launched after being signed on December 12, 2006, this agreement has opened up new development prospects for Moroccan and European companies by removing restrictions on capacity, nationality, frequencies and roads. According to the text of the agreement adopted in the European Parliament, the opening of markets since 2006 has brought significant benefits: passenger traffic between the Union and Morocco has been multiplied, reaching 12 million passengers per year and 109% growth since 2005. The services offered and the number of destinations served has also significantly increased. These important benefits for consumers have also been accompanied by a reduction of about 60% in the average price of the ticket.
