EU-Qatar aviation agreement: debate on ratification state of play

Following the increased scrutiny on all legislative files related to Qatar, Commission representatives will update MEPs on the Transport and Tourism Committee on the state of play of the EU-Qatar air transport agreement ratification process.

You can follow the committee meeting live here.

This agreement liberalises air services and upgrades rules and standards for flights between Qatar and the EU. It commits both sides to fair competition, and includes commitments on social and environmental protection.

The EU-Qatar air transport agreement was signed on 18 October 2021 and has since then been applied provisionally. To properly enter into force it needs to be ratified by all parties (Qatar and EU member states). To date only a small number of member states have completed this procedure.

After all parties have ratified the agreement, it will be transmitted to the European Parliament for MEPs to give their consent. Parliament will not be able to amend the agreement, but, once it is submitted for approval by MEPs, will vote if to accept or reject it.

Background

At Parliament’s December plenary session, MEPs voted to suspend all work on legislative files relating to Qatar, including the EU aviation agreement with Qatar, until the allegations have been properly investigated.