Article 1 Notification to the Commission

1.   A Member State may, without prejudice to the respective competencies of the Community and its Member States, enter into negotiations with a third country concerning a new air service agreement or the modification of an existing air service agreement, its Annexes or any other related bilateral or multilateral arrangement, the subject matter of which falls partly within the competence of the Community, provided that:

Where appropriate, the Commission shall be invited to participate as an observer in any such negotiations.

2.   Where a Member State intends to enter into such negotiations it shall notify the Commission of its intentions in writing. This notification shall include a copy of the existing agreement, if available, other relevant documentation and an indication of the provisions to be addressed in the negotiations, the objectives of the negotiations and any other relevant information. The Commission shall make the notification and, on request, the accompanying documentation, available to other Member States, subject to the requirements of confidentiality.

The information shall be transmitted at least one calendar month before formal negotiations are scheduled to commence with the third country concerned. If, due to exceptional circumstances, formal negotiations are scheduled at less than one month's notice, the Member State shall transmit the information as soon as possible.

3.   Member States may make comments to the Member State which has notified its intention to enter into negotiations in accordance with paragraph 2. That Member State shall take such comments into account as far as possible in the course of the negotiations.

4.   If, within 15 working days of receipt of the notification referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission concludes that the negotiations are likely to:

it shall inform the Member State accordingly.