European Commission (EC) imposed a preventive measure rather than a safeguard clause for Bulgaria's aviation, European Integration Minister Meglena Kouneva said.

EC decided to impose the restriction on Bulgaria's aviation because of safety-related problems that still existed. Local air carriers will be treated as 'third party' on the European aviation market. The measure will be in force until Bulgaria meets the safety requirements.

Such measures could be introduced to any EU country which failed to meet EU standards, Kouneva said as quoted by Darik Radio.

Bulgaria could cope with the situation, she said. EC refrained from criticising other types of transport.

Transport and Communications Ministry, aviation organisations and owners of airlines could deal with the problematic issues by the middle of 2007, Kouneva said.