But Switzerland's refusal to join European Economic Area could leave tiny neighbour Liechtenstein in the lurch
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are negotiating entry into the newly formed European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), amid fears of being marginalised.
The countries are the last remaining non-EU members of the European Economic Area (EEA) free trade zone, and are in discussions to "benefit from the same rights as EU member states", says EASA. The EEA members are bound by EU aviation law under the EU-EEA agreement, but have no decision-making power, as have other EU agencies such as EASA's maritime and environmental counterparts.
The EEA was set up to replace the looser European Free Trade Area (EFTA) in 1992 and was designed to bypass the time-consuming process of bilateral negotiations by making EU laws directly applicable. Swiss voters rejected joining the new bloc, however, leaving Switzerland in legal limbo.
Siv Christina Gaalaas, EFTA transport officer, says it is "of great importance" that Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have representatives on the boards of all the agencies in which they participate. "Without involvement in the preparatory stages, many decisions could take the EEA states by surprise. A lack of understanding of the motive or background to the decisions could easily complicate the implementation of such decisions at national level," EFTA says. The three nations are lobbying for full voting rights.
Liechtenstein is potentially at most risk of disruption due to its small size and arrangements with its neighbours. The principality's aviation regulations have been tied for 50 years to those of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) in neighbouring Switzerland, which is not a member of the EEA. The country was obliged to create its own civil aviation authority, the DZL, in January last year after a seven-year transition period. The country has a single heliport and only two operators. Wilfried Hauser, legal officer for the Vaduz-based DZL, says EASA entry could "have some implications" for Liechtenstein. Experts doubt the validity of Swiss-issued pilots' licences and maintenance approvals, if EASA membership alters the bilateral with FOCA.
EEA members will also be asked to contribute financially to the new aviation agency, although some may withhold funds if they do not receive sufficient representation.
Negotiations are likely to be completed by April, says Gaalaas.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / VADUZ
Source: Flight International
