ICAO directive a big victory for Qatar

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has asked all member states to abide by and comply with the Chicago Convention, and continue cooperation regarding aviation’s safety and security and international civil aviation’s efficiency and sustainability.The directive was issued after the ICAO Council Extraordinary Session was held at the ministerial level in Montreal, Canada on Monday to examine Qatar’s requirement. A statement issued by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) said : "Noteworthy, the blockading countries have - in confession of their infringement on international laws and in order to avoid condemnation from the international community for nonobservance of law, have, only shortly before the Council meeting, relinquished their positions on the closure of international routes, and issued navigation notification (NOTAMs) according to the international law."The Ministry of Transport and Communications has praised the fundamental role of the ICAO Council, and thanked it deeply for holding this extraordinary session to examine Qatar’s requirement. MOTC said "it looks forward to seeing an expeditious examination of its dossier relating to Item 84 of the Chicago Convention and the Transit Passage convention as quick as possible, as well as Qatar’s request to establish a flight information region (FIR)". The Ministry said it has full confidence in the Council and its wise decisions that are in the interests of aviation’s safety and security. "It also emphasizes its steadfast position on respect of international laws and systems that govern airspaces, generally, which was praised from the international community and which came in the form of Qatar’s refraining from taking any similar actions likewise the blockading countries. Qatar’s respect of agreements and attention to aviation’s safety and security were also appreciated." On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed diplomatic and travel ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and being an ally of Iran, charges that Doha denies.The ?Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as Chicago Convention), was signed on 7 December 1944 by 52 States. Pending ratification of the Convention by 26 States, the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO) was established. It functioned from 6 June 1945 until 4 April 1947. By 5 March 1947 the 26th ratification was received. ICAO came into being on 4 April 1947. In October of the same year, ICAO became a specialized agency of the United Nations linked to Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).