North European Functional Airspace Block (NEFAB) - Inaugural meeting of the NEFAB Council

Following the entry into force of the NEFAB Agreement on 23 December 2012, the inaugural meeting of the NEFAB Council took place in Oslo on 6 February 2013.

The NEFAB Council is the supreme governance body in NEFAB, in which the transport ministries and defence ministries will participate. The Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications chairs the Council in the first year of the NEFAB cooperation.

”This is indeed an important day for us”, said Ottar Ostnes, Director General of the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and Chairman of the NEFAB Council. ”With this first meeting of the NEFAB Council we have established a firm platform for further cooperation which will be an important tool to ensure that the objectives of the Single European Sky legislation will be met.  We have had constructive and open discussions, which reflect the commitments we have made to create a fruitful and efficient cooperation within NEFAB. ”

The meeting was attended by representatives of Ministries of transport and Ministries of defence from the four participating States: Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Norway.

The NEFAB Council conducted a preliminary discussion on its work plan for 2013 as well as a strategic plan for NEFAB. The Council also devoted some time to discussing cooperation with neighbouring States as well as preparations for the formal assessment of NEFAB by the European Commission.  A number of management items were also addressed.

The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for 21 May. 

The formal Council meeting was preceded by an informal seminar for the Council representatives with the purpose of facilitating a constructive and efficient cooperation within NEFAB.

More information on NEFAB:  www.nefab.eu