The Minister Transport in the Tripoli-based Libyan government, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, paid a working visit to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, yesterday. The Transport Ministry says the visit was in order to contribute to the development of the Libyan civil aviation sector and to address requirements of lifting the air embargo imposed on Libyan airlines.
To develop Libya’s aviation sector
In a statement to Libya Herald, Siraj Al-Hamal, the Head of the Media office of the Ministry of Transport, said the Minister of Transport discussed at the meeting ways to activate cooperation between Libya and the ICAO to develop the Libyan aviation sector, especially airports and advanced technology equipment to maintain aviation safety.
He added that ICAO expressed its full readiness to provide all possible facilities to support the position of civil aviation in Libya in accordance with the plans and programmes followed in achieving sustainable development of air transport at the international level. Al-Hamal stressed the support of the Tripoli-based Libyan government for the civil aviation sector by virtue of its nature, its international connections and its importance to support development and stability.
Lifting the EU embargo
He revealed that the ministry discussed the best ways for the effective participation of international organization experts in supporting the capabilities of the civil aviation in Libya to meet the European requirements for lifting the air embargo, which has caused the suffering of many segments of travellers coming to the European Union from Libya, in addition to the huge economic losses for the national airlines.
Access to ICAO technical and advisory services
Al-Hamal confirmed that the minister signed a service management agreement between the Ministry of Transportation and the ICAO. The agreement is considered the general legal framework for cooperation between the two parties, and does not create any obligation on the Libyan state, and gives the right to the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority to obtain the technical and advisory services ICAO provides through its offices and departments.
Qualitative shift in the relationship
This access comes under a special annex that defines the obligations and rights of the two parties, and this step represents the cornerstone of a qualitative shift in dealing and benefiting from the capabilities of the ICAO and its widespread international presence as an exclusively competent authority concerned with international civil aviation affairs.
ICAO Cairo Regional Office to develop implementation plan
Al-Hamal explained that the regional office of the ICAO in Cairo will undertake direct coordination with the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority to initiate the development of a work programme and an implementation plan to help the Libyan aviation sector develop and reach the level of full compliance with international standards and rules.
