EU to publish blacklist of airlines at start of year
A single list of unreliable airlines and aircraft, drawn up by European Union member states, may be officially published early in 2006, RIA Novosti reported, citing the European Commission press service. On the eve in Brussels, experts from EU states reached agreement on the principles and common criteria for drawing up the blacklist.
After completion of work on the list, tentatively in November this year, the document is expected to be submitted to the European Parliament for approval. Then in December, the blacklist must be approved by EU transport ministers. It was decided to speed up the work on compiling the list due to the increasing number of plane crashes, the press service noted.
EU transport ministers agreed to draw up a list of airlines and aircraft whose use could pose a threat to passenger safety back in autumn 2004. The decision was also approved by members of the European Parliament's transport committee. The blacklist is currently being expanded with data provided by national airport services on the technical condition of airliners.
The European Commission expects that an independent expert analysis will make it possible to exclude the use by EU tour operators of aircraft for charter flights whose technical condition does not meet the requirements.
Turkey threatens to abandon EU membership
Turkey will not join the EU if it is presented with new demands or offered partial membership in the union. This was stated by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, as Reuters reports.
"If the EU says that new conditions need to be met or offers us limited membership, we will abandon plans to join the Union. And this time it will be for the better," Gul said. "One should not expect Turkey to be ready to make concessions endlessly. We have fulfilled all the conditions of the agreement; now the EU should fulfill its obligations." Under the plan, negotiations on Turkey's EU accession should begin on October 3.
Gul's latest statement came against the background of worsening relations between Turkey and the EU. The political crisis began after Ankara refused to open its sea ports and airport terminals to Cyprus, which is an EU member. Eurocrats warned Ankara that this is a violation of the existing customs union agreement.
Talks on refugee status in Sweden have reached a deadlock
Representatives of the Swedish government and parliament have reached a deadlock in negotiations over the fate of refugees. According to Reuters, this topic was raised again during discussions of the 2006 budget draft.
During budget talks, the Greens and the left are trying to obtain concessions for those who apply for asylum in Sweden. The ruling Social Democrats are against such concessions. In particular, some parliamentarians insist that refugees who are already in Sweden awaiting a decision from the migration service and who go into hiding if refused should be allowed to stay.
Croatia sees increase in tourist numbers
Almost 8 million tourists visited Croatia from January to August this year, Travel.ru reports, citing the Croatian National Tourism Agency in Zagreb. This is 7% more than in 2004. Revenue generated by the tourism business amounted to €5.5 billion.
Against the backdrop of the growing threat of terrorist attacks in other countries, Croatia was recognized this year as one of the safest places, which attracted citizens of Germany, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovenia.
During the Balkan War in 1991-1995, the tourism business in Croatia practically ceased to exist. But already in 2004, revenue from this sector of the economy amounted to 21% of GDP. Zagreb believes that within the next five years the number of tourists will reach 11 million.
Tourists increasingly bring exotic infections back from trips
Estonia's Ministry of Health Inspectorate says that the number of infectious diseases contracted by tourists traveling to exotic countries has increased. As of August, travelers brought 56 diseases to Estonia, including viral hepatitis A, malaria and salmonellosis, DELFI reports.
The problem is that travel agencies do not inform clients about the dangers of infection, although they are obliged to do so. Moreover, even if a person tries to obtain the relevant information, trip organizers do not always provide it, the Estonian Ministry of Health said.
Ski trips to Europe were more expensive 10 years ago
As part of preparing the book "Where to Ski and Snowboard 2006", its editors conducted a study comparing the cost of skiing at European ski resorts. As it turned out, in real terms it has decreased over the past 10 years. According to Travel.ru, data from tour operators were used for the review, and prices were compared with 1995 prices taking inflation into account.
This difference is most noticeable in Switzerland, where the cost of a week in a three-star hotel plus a ski pass in mid-season is about €1,275, which is 20% cheaper in real terms than 10 years ago. In 1995, the price leader was the French Courchevel. Now a week in a three-star hotel, including the flight (from England) and transfer, in Courchevel will cost about €1,550. In Val d'Isère a week will cost €200 less, and in Serre Chevalier €450 less.
Italian resorts are significantly cheaper than French ones, as was the case 10 years ago. For a week in a three-star hotel, including flight and transfer, in Courmayeur or in Sauze d'Oulx you will pay about €800. Skiing at Eastern European ski resorts will be even cheaper. A week in a three-star hotel, including flight and transfer, in Poiana Brașov in Romania or in Bulgarian Borovets will cost about three times less than in Courchevel. A holiday in a four-star hotel with flight and transfer in Courchevel is estimated at €2,500 - 60% more expensive than in Val d'Isère.
The cost of a six-day ski pass has also become lower than 10 years ago. In Zermatt, a ski pass costs about £151 (in 1995 - 162), in St. Anton - £131 (10 years ago - 140). As in Europe, the real cost of holidays at North American ski resorts has also decreased. For example, a week in Whistler costs about $1,000 - 25% cheaper than in 1995.