Representatives from 15 nations of the Western Hemisphere met in Santo Domingo last week to participate in the Permanent Forum of Legislators of Transport Commissions and the XII International Meeting of the Interamerican Commission of Jurists and Experts in Aviation Law. The caucus seeks to establish a consensus on aviation policies for Latin America into the 21st century. A “Santo Domingo Declaration” is expected to be formulated as the conclusion to the event. The president of the Dominican Senate, Amable Aristy Castro, said during the meeting that the time has come for Dominican legislators to review the laws and bring the country’s regime for civil aviation up to date.
The president of the Interamerican Commission of Jurists and Experts in Aviation Law, Dr. Julián Palacín Fernández, said in his opening speech at the workshop that he favors “open skies” in the region. He said the policy will allow for the doubling of the flow of tourists to the Dominican Republic in two or three years. “And I believe, ladies and gentlemen, that there is no way to develop tourism flows in a massive way to the country if we do not open up to the services of international transport,” he said. The event took place at the Hotel Jaragua and the National Congress building.