MPs on the foreign affairs committee voted unanimously to ratify an agreement creating a common aviation area between the European Union and Armenia. The bill came to parliament from the Council of Ministers.

Armenia on one side, and the EU and its member states on the other, signed the deal in Brussels on 15 November 2021. It sets up a common aviation area, with the market opening gradually and looser rules on who can own and control airlines.

The two sides also agreed on fair and equal terms for competition, a ban on discrimination, and shared rules on safety, security, air traffic management, social issues and the environment.

The talks were held to reach a broad air transport agreement. It provides for gradual, mutual access to each other's markets, closer alignment of regulations, and the use of EU requirements and standards.

Anelia Marinova, head of the Civil Aviation Administration at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, presented the bill to MPs. She said the agreement is already in force.

"As of last week, we have a Bulgarian carrier that already flies regular services to Armenia twice a week," Marinova said.