AIR NAVIGATION COMMON CHARGING SCHEME, ITALY

UNCLAS ROME 000794 SIPDIS SIPDIS PM/ISO EUR/ERA EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR MARR MOPS PREL IT NATO EUN AVIATION FAA SUBJECT: AIR NAVIGATION COMMON CHARGING SCHEME, ITALY CONSULTING WITH EU REF: SECSTATE 24725 ¶1. A/ECMIN delivered reftel demarche March 10 to Achille Vinci Giacchi, Diplomatic Advisor to Minister of Transportation Pietro Lunardi. A/ECMIN simultaneously delivered a letter from the Ambassador to Lunardi, which reiterates reftel talking points. Vinci Giacchi said the Ministry would need to consult with other EU members before responding. ¶2. Earlier, Econoff discussed USG concerns about the Common Charging Scheme with Gerardo Pelosi, Director General for Air Navigation at the Ministry of Transportation. Pelosi also offered no response, other than to say the GOI remains committed to the bilateral navigation fee exemption for state flights, including U.S. military flights. ¶3. Econoff and Polmiloff also delivered this demarche to desks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for E.U. integration and NATO affairs, in addition to the office of Minister of Defense Antonio Martino. We will report any substantive response septel. SPOGLI