On April 30, after years of contentious negotiations, representatives from the US and EU enjoyed a bit of ceremony - and looked ahead - as the open skies agreement reached in March was signed at a Washington event attended by Europe's VP-Transport Jacques Barrot, EU Council President Wolfgang Tiefensee, US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

While Peters touted the "lower-priced and more accessible air travel" and "healthy competition" expected to result from the deal, her European counterparts continued to remind everyone that there is more to come.

Tiefensee called the agreement a "milestone on the road toward a deeper transatlantic partnership," saying that "Europe is pressing for further steps" and will open a new round of negotiations immediately after the pact becomes effective in 11 months, or no later than May 30, 2008. "The objective of the negotiations will therefore be additional traffic rights and fewer restrictions on European ownership and control of US carriers," he said.

Barrot said the European commercial air transport industry already "is feeling [the agreement's] effects in a positive way" and that he welcomed "the firm commitment given by leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to conclude a second-stage agreement as a matter of priority."