The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has signed an implementation support agreement with Libya, to develop the civil aviation sector in the country.
“The step aims to heighten the application of the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in Libya,” ICAO said in a statement.
ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar and Libya’s Minister of Transport, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi inked the agreement in Montreal, Canada.
The signing of the Management Service Agreement (MSA) marks the first such agreement with Libya.
ICAO will provide support products and services, such as the provision of expertise, project management, training packages, and procurement, to support Libya in its aviation upgrade activities.
In turn, the Transport Ministry stated that the agreement “is considered the general legal framework for cooperation between the two parties, and does not create any obligation on the Libyan state. It also gives the right to the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority to obtain the technical and advisory services ICAO provides through its offices and departments.”
Meanwhile, the Head of the Media office of the Ministry of Transport, Siraj Al-Hammal said that they discussed “the best ways for the effective participation of international organization experts in supporting the capabilities of the civil aviation sector in Libya, to meet the EU requirements for lifting the air embargo.”
Last month, ICAO’s Middle East Office Regional Director, Mohamed Al-Farea, and a group of specialists in aviation security, navigation, and air safety met with Al-Shahoubi in Tripoli.
The high-level ICAO delegation has visited Libya for the first time, and according to the Transport Ministry, they have discussed ways in which the organization can support the plans and initiatives of the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority in order to grow the industry and lift the EU air embargo on Libya.
ICAO delegation inspected Mitiga and Misrata airports to check the practices used and gauge the degree to which they adhere to the norms and regulations approved by ICAO.