Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH623
2009-04-29 14:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI MFA ON OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #0623 1191432 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 291432Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0741 INFO RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 0155
UNCLAS RIYADH 000623
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/AN(FINSTON) AND NEA/ARP(HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAIR PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI MFA ON OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
REF: 4/29 FINSTON-KANAREK-BAGWELL EMAILS
UNCLAS RIYADH 000623
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/AN(FINSTON) AND NEA/ARP(HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAIR PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI MFA ON OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
REF: 4/29 FINSTON-KANAREK-BAGWELL EMAILS
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph three.
2. (SBU) Embassy received the following dip note from Saudi MFA
April 29. Begin text:
VERY URGENT
The Ministry wishes to refer to a letter received from the Royal
Saudi Embassy in Washington in which the Saudi Embassy advised the
Ministry that the State Department sent a letter expressing the
United States' readiness to enter into an Open Skies Agreement
negotiations with the Government of Saudi Arabia. This is the model
agreement the United States uses when negotiating bilateral air
transport agreements. The United States believes this agreement
would enhance the capabilities of carriers on both sides, enabling
them to code share in both countries as well as with carriers and
ground service providers from third countries.
The General Authority for Civil Aviation has advised the Ministry
that, in the interest of promoting bilateral cooperation between our
countries in the area of air transport, GACA is proposing to start
negotiations with the U.S. side on a new MOU between the two
authorities. This MOU would regulate all forms of transport within a
liberal framework by implementing an open skies policy on the basis
of the provisions of the October 02, 1992 Bilateral Air Transport
Agreement. The MOU will be considered an annex to the Agreement.
GACA is proposing that the first round of negotiations take place on
July 8-9, 2009 in Saudi Arabia or the United States.
The Ministry requests that the Embassy communicate this information
to the U.S. side.
Complimentary closing.
End text.
3. (U) Embassy requests guidance from EEB and NEA on how to respond.
Best regards.
RUNDELL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EEB/TRA/AN(FINSTON) AND NEA/ARP(HARRIS)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EAIR PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDI MFA ON OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT
REF: 4/29 FINSTON-KANAREK-BAGWELL EMAILS
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph three.
2. (SBU) Embassy received the following dip note from Saudi MFA
April 29. Begin text:
VERY URGENT
The Ministry wishes to refer to a letter received from the Royal
Saudi Embassy in Washington in which the Saudi Embassy advised the
Ministry that the State Department sent a letter expressing the
United States' readiness to enter into an Open Skies Agreement
negotiations with the Government of Saudi Arabia. This is the model
agreement the United States uses when negotiating bilateral air
transport agreements. The United States believes this agreement
would enhance the capabilities of carriers on both sides, enabling
them to code share in both countries as well as with carriers and
ground service providers from third countries.
The General Authority for Civil Aviation has advised the Ministry
that, in the interest of promoting bilateral cooperation between our
countries in the area of air transport, GACA is proposing to start
negotiations with the U.S. side on a new MOU between the two
authorities. This MOU would regulate all forms of transport within a
liberal framework by implementing an open skies policy on the basis
of the provisions of the October 02, 1992 Bilateral Air Transport
Agreement. The MOU will be considered an annex to the Agreement.
GACA is proposing that the first round of negotiations take place on
July 8-9, 2009 in Saudi Arabia or the United States.
The Ministry requests that the Embassy communicate this information
to the U.S. side.
Complimentary closing.
End text.
3. (U) Embassy requests guidance from EEB and NEA on how to respond.
Best regards.
RUNDELL