United States and Macedonia Sign Open Skies Air Transport Agreement

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson 
For Immediate Release  
August 23, 2012

Media Note 

On August 23 in Skopje, Deputy Assistant Secretary Philip Reeker and Macedonian Minister of Transportation Mile Janakieski signed an Open Skies air services agreement that will formalize the liberalization of our bilateral aviation relationship.  The United States and Macedonia initialed the agreement in July 2011, and it has been applied via comity and reciprocity since that time.   

The Open Skies Agreement shall enter into force 30 days after the date of the final notification, via an exchange of diplomatic notes between the two sides, confirming that they have each completed all necessary internal procedures to bring the agreement into force.  

The Open Skies Agreement establishes a liberalized aviation relationship between the United States and Macedonia.  It creates opportunities for strengthening the economic partnership between the United States and Macedonia through closer links in transport and trade. 

Open Skies agreements permit unrestricted air service by the airlines of both countries between and beyond the other’s territory, eliminating restrictions on how often the carriers fly, the kind of aircraft they use and the prices they charge.  This agreement will strengthen and expand our strong trade and tourism links with Macedonia, benefitting U.S. and Macedonian businesses and travelers by expanding opportunities for air services and encouraging vigorous price competition by airlines, while preserving our commitments to aviation safety and security.   

The United States has concluded over 100 Open Skies agreements with partners around the world and at all levels of development.   

For more information about Open Skies, please visit: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/tra/ata/index.htm 

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