AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING IN ISTANBUL

UNCLAS ANKARA 001200 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EUR/SE, EB/TRA STATE PLEASE PASS TDA ROME FOR FAA PARIS FOR TSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ASEC ATRN TU SUBJECT: AVIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING IN ISTANBUL REF: ANKARA 553 ¶1. (SBU) This cable contains an action request. See para 6. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: FAA-funded experts provided guidance on international aviation safety and security systems to approximately 70 Turkish government officials at a regional meeting February 19-21. FAA and Turkish civil aviation officials agreed that FAA consultations on aviation safety oversight would take place May 22 in Ankara (reftel). End summary. ¶3. (SBU) The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) hosted a regional meeting on Aviation Safety and Security February 19-21 in Istanbul. The meeting, which was sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and George Washington University Consortium, was designed to provide senior government officials guidance on implementing ICAO safety and security requirements. FAA-funded experts from the United States outlined the critical elements of international aviation safety and security systems, including a country,s obligations under ICAO, and guidelines for meeting those obligations. ¶4. (SBU) Approximately 70 Turkish officials attended the meeting, including 42 from the DGCA, 7 from the State Airports Authority, 2 from Customs, and 19 from the Turkish National Police. Senior FAA Representative Greg Joyner, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Representative Jess Presas, and embassy aviation officer attended for the U.S. Representatives from the Polish and Israeli Civil Aviation Authorities also participated in the meeting. ¶5. (SBU) Following up on previous discussions with Director General Cebeci (reftel),Joyner and DGCA representatives agreed that FAA/DGCA consultations on aviation safety oversight would take place May 22 in Ankara. Joyner also told DGCA officials that FAA hoped to provide technical training to DGCA inspectors via a grant by the Trade and Development Agency (TDA). DGCA officials emphasized to emboff that such training would be extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. ¶6. (SBU) Action request: The Turkish DGCA is working hard to implement ICAO recommendations before the March ICAO audit and May FAA consultations. If TDA and FAA are able to provide technical training to DGCA inspectors, it would be helpful to do so as soon as possible. Post would appreciate any steps TDA and FAA could take to expedite such training. PEARSON