U.S. and European officials reported "progress" on negotiations toward a second-stage air transport deal, according to a joint statement.

Meeting in Brussels for a fifth round of talks, the two sides "expressed satisfaction" on security and regulatory issues, and noted "in-depth discussions held on other elements of a second stage agreement, such as market access," according to the statement posted by the delegation of the European Commission to the United States. "Further work remains in these and other key areas such as investment and environmental constraints." The two sides reiterated a goal to reach during 2010 the second phase of Open Skiesand scheduled the next round of talks for mid-January in Washington.