16.03.2014

 

During the period from March 2014 a high level meeting was held in Berovo, Republic of Macedonia organized by the Civil Aviation Agency of the Republic of Macedonia. The Meeting which was first of this kind and was attended by the high representatives of the aviation authorities from 10 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo[*] Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey), EUROCONTROL Director General Mr. Frank Brenner, Regional Director ICAO EUR/NAT Office Mr. Luis Almeida de Fonseca, ECAC President Mr. Catalin Radu, as well as the representatives from the air navigation services providers, M-NAV and HungaroControl.

The Meeting was opened by the address of Dejan Mojsoski Ph.D Director General of the Civil Aviation Agency in his capacity as chairman pointing out the importance of the regional cooperation between the aviation authorities and international organizations, and especially the importance of the Project for designating air space over Kosovo. Among other things the Director General of the Civil Aviation Agency expressed his firm believe that this aviation forum will be a solid basis for a new beginning in the field of the aviation and such kind of cooperation will contribute in the future organization of this kind of meetings on the regular basis for the interest of all countries in the Region. In addition, he pointed out the importance of the opening of the upper Air Space of Kosovo and the possibility for fragmentation of the air space in the region and creation of shortest and most flexible routes. This would resolve into creating more expeditious and cheaper flights, strengthening of the competitiveness and benefits to the whole aviation industry and traveling public.

Watch the video Address by Dejan Mojsoski, Ph.D.

Mr. Frank Brenner, EUROCONTROL Director General pointed out that the opening of the Kosovo Airspace through the KFOR sector is a very good example for the annual savings of 370,000 nautical miles i.e. savings of around 24,000 tons of fuel or 75,000 tons of CO2. The opening of the Kosovo Airspace is a good example for the cooperation of the civilian with the military sector sharing the same airspace that it does not happen everywhere.

Watch the video Address by Mr.Frank Brenner

Mr. Lous Fonseca de Almeida the Regional Director ICAO EUR/NAT Office stressed that this Meeting is a part of the ICAO mission for the strengthening of the cooperation between its Member States. The Regional Director clarified that ICAO as an Organization provides support to the countries in all fields and especially in the field of air traffic safety and security.

Watch the video Address by Mr. Lous Fonseca de Almeida

Mr. Catalin Radu ECAC President pointed out that during his visit of our country in June 2013 had opportunity to visit the main aviation stakeholders. On the Meeting he confirm the achievement of the Civil Aviation Agency of the Republic of Macedonia. He opened the topic regarding the opening of the Air Space of Kosovo and he stressed that the aim of ECAC is the same as the aim of this Meeting, i.e. the cooperation and collaboration between the countries in the field of safety as well as in the field of search and rescue. He noted that the Republic of Macedonia shows leadership by taking upon itself the international role that it deserves.

Watch the video Address by Mr. Catalin Radu

Mr. Dragan Djurovic, Director of the Aviation Authorities of Montenegro paid a special importance to the bilateral and regional cooperation. Their commitment to the regional cooperation have confirmed with the Joint Service Provision Area Initiative achieving visible results in the field of international cooperation in the civil aviation. The support and the participation in this Initiative are achieved with the assistance from the members of Albania, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have an observer status.

Milan Živanović, Acting Director of the Aviation Authorities of Serbia, expressed their appreciation on the invitation to participate at the Meeting and their sincere congratulation to the Civil Aviation Agency of the Republic of Macedonia for the successful organization of the Meeting. They have noted their opinion that this kind of meetings, with the participation of the representatives of the civil aviation authorities from the Region, presents the right playground to exchange opinions, promote cooperation and resolve the open issues as well as harmonization of the common goals and interests.

The Director General of the Aviation Authorities of Kosovo Mr. Driton Gjonbalaj expressed his appreciation on the invitation, welcomed such initiative for regional cooperation and noted that this is a first Meeting in the Region organized only by one Member State, in this case represented by the Civil Aviation Agency headed by the Dejan Mojsoski Ph. D.

Mr. Dan Simonic, Assistant Minister at the Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications, welcomed the idea of the opening of the upper Air Space of Kosovo and expressed his hope and believe that very soon the lower air space will be opened too.

The representatives from M-NAV and HungaroControl presented their views trough detailed presentations.

Mutual conclusion of all participant was the particular importance of the bilateral regional and multilateral cooperation welcoming the idea of the opening of the upper Air Space of Kosovo and noting that this is the first Meeting in the Region organized only by one Member State, in this case represented by the Civil Aviation Agency headed by the Dejan Mojsoski Ph. D.

It was also concluded that the opening of the upper Air Space of Kosovo will be achieved at the appointed date, i.e. 3 April 2014. Additionally, the importance of the Network Manager and CRCO was noted as well as the support of the EUROCONTROL in the Region in respect of the increase of the air traffic services. ICAO provided support for realization of the regional trainings in the part of SMS and SSP, and ECAC for the future cooperation in the field of search and rescue.

*This designation is without prejudice to position on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence