Eurasian Integration Yearbook 2012

Aigul Absametova. “Developing Air Transport Potentialof the EurAsEC Countries”Advanced Economic Cooperationin Sectors and Industries• ensuring suppliers of transport services are operating in conditions no lessfavourable than those applicable to similar domestic companies;• ensuring free transit of international passenger and cargo flows;• harmonising the terms of passenger and cargo transportation betweenEurAsEC member states and third countries;• adopting uniform approaches to commercial competition and preventingabuses of competition; and• promoting mutual recognition of certificates, diplomas and other documentsregulating access to transport operations.The first step towards the formation of the Common Transport Space, theCustoms Union, and the Single Economic Space is the creation of mechanismsto enhance cooperation in international cargo transportation within EurAsEC,upgrade infrastructure and take full advantage of transit potential.If EurAsEC’s air transport potential is fully utilised, this will do more than resolveits transport problems. Besides the positive effect it will have on the region’stransport systems, it will also have a multiplier effect on macroeconomicindicators. Ultimately, it will help foster economic integration in EurAsEC andadvance the Customs Union.The development of air cargo traffic in EurAsEC must comply with ICAOStandards and Recommended Practices and should take into account the bestpractices of many foreign countries that successfully utilise their air transportpotential (the European Union, the US and China, among others). In accordancewith the priorities for the development of civil aviation and flight safety measuresin the CIS approved by the CIS Council of Heads of States on November 22,2007, the key elements of the strategy for the advancement of national airtransport systems and cargo traffic in EurAsEC should be:a) the creation of favourable conditions for the development of air traffic;b) the development of airport and aerodrome infrastructure and equipment;c) the development of the use of airspace and ATM;d) the upgrading of aircraft fleets and improvement of aircraftmaintenance;e) the improvement of flight safety and protection of civil aviation fromcriminal acts;f) the improvement of training and professional development of civilaviation personnel; andg) the improvement of the civil aviation legal framework.Eurasian Development Bank183