Article 4 General obligations of the Secretary of StateF6

F1The Secretary of State shall ensure that the ATFM function is available to parties referred to in Article 1(3) on a 24 hour basis.

The definition and implementation of ATFM measures shall be compatible with F2... security and defence requirements, in order to ensure efficiency in airspace planning, allocation and use for the benefit of parties referred in Article 1(3).

Consistent procedures shall be established for the cooperation between the parties involved in ATFM function, ATS units and entities involved in airspace management, in order to optimise the use of the airspace.

F3... Where applicable, publication of route availability in national aeronautical information publications shall be fully consistent with F4the common reference document created by Eurocontrol containing the policies, procedures and description for route and traffic orientation.

Common procedures for requesting exemption from an ATFM departure slot shall be drawn up in accordance with the ICAO provisions specified in the Annex. F5The Secretary of State must endeavour to ensure that those procedures are coordinated with the central unit for ATFM and published in national aeronautical information publications.