France optimistic of unanimous 'open skies' deal

Brussels, Mar 22: French Transport Minister Dominique Perben said on Thursday he was optimistic that EU ministers would approve unanimously a landmark agreement with the United States to open transatlantic flights to more competition.

''Yes, I am optimistic, I think we will make it,'' Perben told reporters on arrival for the meeting of the 27-nation bloc on an accord that would allow any EU airline to fly from any airport in Europe to any airport in the United States and vice versa.

Asked whether ministers would have to reach agreement by unanimity rather than majority voting, Perben said: ''Yes, it's a shared competence.'' Under EU law, an accord combining European community and national competences requires unanimous approval.

Reuters