SUBJECT: ITALY'S EU PRESIDENCY: CIVIL AVIATION

UNCLAS ROME 003621

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR IT PREL EUN
SUBJECT: SUBJECT: ITALY'S EU PRESIDENCY: CIVIL AVIATION
ISSUES; LEADERSHIP CHANGE AT ENAC

REF: ROME 02837


1. (U) Summary. Dr. Aldo Sansone, Transport and
Infrastructure Ministry Director General for International
Affairs, emphasized to Embassy officers that Italy's EU
Presidential role will moderate the government's handling of
civil aviation issues, including Open Skies (OS),Single
European Sky (SES),and Denied Boarding Compensation (DBC).
Sansone also discussed the change in leadership at the
National Civil Aviation Entity (ENAC). End Summary.


2. (U) Participants: Rome Embassy officers FAA Senior
Representative Gregory Joyner, Economic Officer Theresa
Canavan, and Economic Specialist Ebe Marzetti,; Dr. Aldo
Sansone, Transport and Infrastructure Ministry Director
General for International Affairs and Ezio Maddalon,
Transport and Infrastructure Ministry Director General for
Navigation.

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ITALY'S ROLE AS PRESIDENT
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2. (U) Dr. Aldo Sansone, Transport and Infrastructure
Ministry Director General for International Affairs,
repeatedly stressed to Emboffs that &Italy may have to
sacrifice its national interests in favor of a solution8 on
issues such as the SES and DBC, which must both undergo the
process of conciliation between the Council and Parliament to
resolve differences. Sansone stressed that for Italy in its
role as EU President, the government intends to avoid taking
a rigid stance during any negotiations where, as a member
state, it has interests at stake. Sansone characterized
Italy's role as one of a mediator, not an interested party.


3. (U) Sansone stated that Italy would be active in three
different capacities: first, facilitating conciliation on
both SES and DBC issues; second, monitoring and observing the
progress of US-EU talks, and third, facilitating the adoption
of draft regulations. Sansone underlined that in its EU
Presidency, Italy's aim is to ease EU operations at both
internal and international levels.


4. (U) The EU is working on an insurance proposal, which
would establish a framework of insurance regulations to
provide a minimum level of insurance for airlines and private
owners of aircraft. (Comment: The ICAO Convention covers
liability; this proposal would require insurance coverage.)
Sansone assessed that agreement is likely to be reached on
the insurance proposal in the fall.

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OPEN SKIES
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5. (U) Sansone emphasized that Italy's role in negotiating a
U.S./EU Open Skies agreement would be minimal because of the
European Commission's mandate to negotiate on behalf of the
EU member states. Italy, in its EU Presidency, would verify
that the talks remain in line with the negotiating mandate.

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THIRD PACKAGE
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6. (U) Sansone noted that there would probably not be time to
consider Third Package issues during the Italian EU
Presidency. The Commission sent questionnaires at the end of
June. By the time responses are collected and reviewed, it
will be autumn, so the Commission would not make a proposal
before November.

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ENAC
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7. (U) On July 11 the Italian Council of Ministers agreed to
nominate Prof. Vito Riggio, special commissioner of ENAC, to
immediately replace Dr. Alfredo Roma as chairman of ENAC.
Riggio's candidacy has been strongly supported by the
Minister of Transport and Navigation, Pierluigi Bersani.
Riggio is managing ENAC in his capacity as Special
Commissioner until the bureaucratic process required for his
appointment as chairman is complete.


8. (U) Sansone noted that the position of Director General of
ENAC, presently held by Dr. Pierluigi Di Palma, would also be


subject to change. Di Palma will be replaced and his
position likely taken by Com. Silvano Manera, formerly
responsible for flight safety at Alitalia. Di Palma is due
to run a new office that will open on October 1 and which is
responsible for coordinating ENAV (National Entity for Flight
Assistance) and ENAC within the EU. The office will be
located in Rome and Brussels.
Sembler


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2003ROME03621 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED