THE EUROPEAN Union (EU) has started preparing for talks later this month on a long-awaited “open skies” agreement with the US, reports Airwise News. Discussions are currently underway on a draft resolution proposing a three-stage plan for liberalising air services and creating a free market in trans-Atlantic air travel. The EU and US hope to have a single agreement giving airlines increased access to airports, as opposed to the current bilateral deals with the US - deemed illegal by the European Court of Justice.