Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NICOSIA217
2007-03-13 14:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:  

CYPRUS TO QUIETLY SUPPORT U.S.-EU OPEN SKIES PLUS

Tags:  KTIA EAIR ECON PREL EUN CY 
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VZCZCXRO3896
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHNC #0217 0721417
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131417Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7638
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000217 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/AN - TCOLEMAN AND EUR/ERA - PWALKER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA EAIR ECON PREL EUN CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS TO QUIETLY SUPPORT U.S.-EU OPEN SKIES PLUS
AGREEMENT

REF: SECSTATE 29781

(U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000217

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/AN - TCOLEMAN AND EUR/ERA - PWALKER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA EAIR ECON PREL EUN CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS TO QUIETLY SUPPORT U.S.-EU OPEN SKIES PLUS
AGREEMENT

REF: SECSTATE 29781

(U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


1. (SBU) The Ambassador delivered reftel demarche March 13 to
Cypriot Communications Minister Charis Thrassou and PermSec
Makis Constantinides. Thrassou noted that the GoC's
positions on aviation issues do not carry much weight within
the EU, given that Cypriot carriers possess only around 15
aircraft. Consequently, as a matter of policy, the GoC rarely
engages on aviation matters, preferring to save its political
capital for areas where it is an EU player, such as shipping.
Although Cyprus will remain largely quiet, both the Minister
and Constantinides predicted that the March 22 Transport
Council would approve the Open Skies agreement. The UK was
isolated on this issue and was unlikely to be willing to act
alone to block approval. They did, however, expect
significant discussion at the meeting on the asymmetry of
U.S. and EU airline ownership rules. Civil Aviation Director
Leonidas Leonidou gave EconOff a similar readout in a
separate meeting.


2. (SBU) Comment: Cyprus, as an island and a major tourist
destination, is very dependent on low cost aviation.
Nevertheless, while the GoC is moderately in favor of the
agreement, it does not feel enough is at stake for it to take
either a public or leaderhip role. As with most things where
it does not see itself as having much of a dog in the fight,
the GoC can be counted on going along with the consensus. As
long as the consensus continues to be in favor of the
agreement, we can count on Cyprus's quiet support. End
comment.
SCHLICHER