Text tabled : A7-0045/2011

  Maria do Céu Patrão Neves (PPE), in writing. – (PT) I voted in favour of this agreement on air transport between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Canada, of the other part. This is a very ambitious Agreement, which provides for the gradual establishment of traffic rights and investment possibilities, together with full cooperation in several areas, including questions of security, social questions, the defence of consumer interests, the environment, the management of air traffic, state aid and competition. All European Union airlines will be able to operate direct flights to Canada from any European airport. The Agreement removes all existing restrictions on routes, prices and the number of weekly flights between Canada and the EU. It is with satisfaction that I am voting vote for this Agreement, given its ambitious nature and the possibilities that it opens up for making the historical ties that exist between the Azores and Canada even closer.