Council Decision

of 19 July 2011

on the position to be taken by the European Union within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex XIII (Transport) to the EEA Agreement

(2011/458/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 100(2) and 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Annex XIII to the Agreement on the European Economic Area(1) (‘the EEA Agreement’) contains specific provisions and arrangements concerning transport.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community(2) should be incorporated in the EEA Agreement.

(3) Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 has repealed Council Regulations (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992 on licensing of air carriers(3), (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes(4) and (EEC) No 2409/92 of 23 July 1992 on fares and rates for air services(5), which are currently incorporated in the EEA Agreement.

(4) Annex XIII to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.

(5) The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should be based on the attached draft Decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: