RIYADH —

The two-day Fourth Middle East Safety Summit, which is organized by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), concluded Wednesday in Riyadh, and achieved the signing of five agreements in the field of civil aviation.

The Minister of Transport and Chairman of GACA Dr. Nabil Al-Amoudi signed two air services agreements that was approved by the Council of Ministers with the governments of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the United Comoros Republic. The agreements guarantees the rights granted to both parties, which includes clauses related to aviation safety and security, agreed upon routes rights, commercial opportunities, marketing alliances and other clauses.

Furthermore, President of GACA Abdulhakim Al-Tamimi signed a series of air services agreements. The agreements were approved earlier by the Council of Ministers with the governments of the Republic of Benin and the Republic of Zambia. The agreements contained provisions and organizational text guaranteeing the right of both parties of multiple appointments and granted rights. The provisions relate to aviation safety, aviation security and agreed upon routes schedule. The provisions also include commercial opportunities, marketing alliances and other clauses covered by the two agreements.

Also during the summit, the president of GACA signed a memorandum of understanding for air transport between GACA and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation in the Republic of Lebanon. The agreement stipulate the increase of the number of regular flights to international points of destinations between the two sides, including unlimited air cargo flights between the two countries. There were also an agreement on a draft text for a new air transport services agreement during the summit. Each party is to complete the formal procedures in preparation for the document final signature. — SG