The draft resolution approving the accession of the Republic of Angola to the Solemn Declaration on the Single Market for Air Transport in Africa (MUTAA) was approved with 149 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.
The legislative initiative passed through the plenary of the National Assembly during the eighth extraordinary plenary meeting of the first legislative session of the fifth legislature of this body.
According to the Secretary of State for Administration, Finance and Heritage, Maria Auxiliadora Fragoso Pascoal Ramiro, who presented the legal instrument, Angola's adherence to the MUTAA should improve Angola's links with the rest of the continent.
"The accession of the Republic of Angola to the same appears to be advantageous, bearing in mind that it will allow the opening of new routes, more frequent flights, better connections, lower prices, which in turn will have direct and indirect positive effects on intra-trade -African, business travel and tourism, job creation and improvement of GDP [Gross Domestic Product]", she assured.
She also said that Angola's adhesion to the MUTAA is part of the "perspective of reinforcing the regional integration of the Republic of Angola in terms of air transport".
The first initiative to harmonize the African air transport policy took place in October 1988, when the African ministers responsible for civil aviation met in Yamussucro, Côte d'Ivoire, and approved the so-called Yamusucro Declaration (DY) of 1988, refers in the technical opinion of the Angolan Ministry of Transport.
The implementation of the agreement failed in that period, and the matter was addressed again at the 24th ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) on January 31, 2015, where they solemnly declared the creation of the MUTAA in 2017.
With the approval of parliament and subsequent publication of Angola's accession to the MUTAA in the Diário da República, Angola must notify the other Member States that its skies are liberalized.
Angola should also review bilateral air services agreements, legislation, rules and national policies to ensure they are in line with the DY and set up national committees or equivalent and designate a dedicated focal point.
The deputies also approved in this plenary session the draft resolution approving Angola's ratification of the amendments to the Protocol Relating to the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights.
This diploma was approved with 148 votes in favor and no votes against or abstentions.
