Accra, Nov. 18, GNA- A provisional approval has been granted by the Ghana and Switzerland governments for the commencement of Air Services Operations between the two countries.

This bilateral agreement came after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on November 18 2008 to precede the signing of the Air Services Agreement, which will enter into force after ratification by both countries.

A statement from the Head of Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of Aviation, signed by Kweku Sersah-Johnson, the governments of Ghana and the Swiss Confederation have been reviewing existing Air Services Agreement since July 2002 to govern aviation relations and air services between the two countries.

"Both Ghana and Switzerland recognise that efficient and competitive international air services enhance trade, the welfare of consumers and economic growth and both countries aim to ensure the highest degree of safety and security in international air services". The MoU will further strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the two countries as it recognises the desire of both Ghana and Switzerland to promote an international aviation system based on competition among airlines in the marketplace including the facilitation of the expansion of international air services. SWISS Air and Ghana International Airlines have been recognised by the MoU as the national carriers of the two parties and provisions have been made for code sharing and other commercial operations.