Larry Pressler: “a truly historic moment occurred in Milwaukee today when the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany formally…”

“a truly historic moment occurred in Milwaukee today when the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany formally signed an open skies agreement which will liberalize air service between our two countries. To underscore the importance of this agreement, I was pleased both President Clinton and Chancellor Kohl were on hand to sign it. As I have said before, the U.S./German open skies agreement is a great economic victory for both countries and a very welcome development for consumers. Under the agreement, airlines of both countries will be free to operate to any points in either country, as well as third countries, without limitation. It also liberalizes pricing, charter services and further liberalizes the open skies cargo regime already in place. In short, it allows market demand, not the heavy hands of governments, to decide air service between the United States and Germany. In addition to direct benefits, I have long said such an agreement would serve as a catalyst for liberalizing air service markets throughout Europe.”