ICAO - ITALY'S ADDITIONAL RESPONSES TO BUDGET AND

UNCLAS ROME 003647 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/T MONTREAL FOR USICAO FAA HQ FOR MICHELLE WESTOVER (TA) BRUSSELS FOR PAUL FELDMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAIR IT ICAO SUBJECT: ICAO - ITALY'S ADDITIONAL RESPONSES TO BUDGET AND KEY U.S. ISSUES REF: A. SECSTATE 184650 ¶B. SECSTATE 168348 ¶C. ROME 3459 ¶1. Italy's civil aviation authority (Ente Nazionale per L'Aviazione Civile (ENAC)) Deputy Director Salvatore Sciacchitano provided Econoff with the following additional written responses (in English) to Ref A and B points. Embassy has edited the text for readability. ¶2. Begin text -We agree that the feasibility of further reductions in the ICAO budget has to be examined. Most nations, Italy included, are doing the same in their national budgets. Nevertheless, we believe that a balance should be found so that the ICAO's work on aviation security and safety, for example, continues to support member states in the present severe contingency. -On USOAP, we agree on all measures aimed to increase transparency and ensure high standards in the conduct of the audits. The validation of Contracting States' statements is a delicate matter with important political implications. -We are looking forward with great interest to the ICAO Assembly discussion on regional safety oversight organizations. At the same time, we wish to underline the beneficial aspects of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program under the auspices of the Organization. -The environment is a key issue for Italy and we are ready to consider in depth all solutions of benefit to the environment. -We support the ICAO policy that Flight Information Regions (FIRs) should be defined on the basis of technical and operational considerations. The relevance of ATM for safety and operational efficiency of air traffic has suggested in Italy a restatement of the organization on the matter with a clear distinction between regulatory and operational aspects.(stet) According to a very recent Government Decree, all regulatory aspects of civil aviation, including ATM, are under the competence of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority--ENAC--who certifies and controls the operational activity conducted by separate Agencies. -However, all the above mentioned positions are to be coordinated within the EU. End text. SEMBLER NNNN 2004ROME03647 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED