OREANDA-NEWS. December 03, 2013. Ukraine and the European Union have initialed the Agreement on Common Aviation Area (CAA) or "Open Skies". All provisions will take effect no later than 2015.

Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Vilkul noted that the initialing of the Agreement will result to significant positive changes in the aviation market of Ukraine. In practice, this means that European companies will be able to fly without restriction to any airport of Ukraine and Ukrainian carriers - to any airport of Europe.

"Due to this agreement, European airlines will have free access to the Ukrainian market of air transportation that will allow our citizens get the opportunity to use a large number of flights and higher quality service. And an increased competition in the airline market will create conditions to lower prices on flights," Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Vilkul said.

As a part of this Agreement, the Vice Prime Minister and Vice-President of the European Commission signed a joint statement yesterday that the European Commission will provide technical assistance in the amount of USD 5 million to improve the quality of satellite navigation in Ukraine.