MONTREAL, Feb 26, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - The UN's civil aviation body condemned
on Friday the "violation" of Ukraine's territory and airspace after Russia
invaded. The 36 states on the International Civil Aviation Organization
Council (ICAO) "condemned the violation of the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of a United Nations Member State, including its airspace," the
agency said in a statement after a meeting of its governing body.

   It said the invasion also violated Article 1 of the Chicago Convention,
which established the ICAO as well as the rules of airspace rights and air
travel and security.

   The council urged Russia to "cease its unlawful activities to ensure the
safety and security of civil aviation in all affected areas" and called on it
to "respect its obligations" under international air laws.

   Russia has an elected member on the council of the Montreal-based agency,
unlike Ukraine.

   But a Ukrainian representative took part in Friday's meeting as the
council "expressed grave concerns on the latest developments" in the country,
the statement said.

   The ICAO is not a global regulator and does not have the power to impose
sanctions, but is the forum for states to set international aviation
standards.

   In the event of a state's violation of internationally agreed rules, the
ICAO's role is "to help countries conduct any discussions, condemnations,
sanctions... they may wish to pursue, consistent with the Chicago
Convention," its website says.