COUNCIL STATEMENT of 14 March 1977 on industrial policy in the aeronautical sector

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Commission communication of 3 October 1975 on an action programme for the European aeronautical sector (1) and, in particular, to those aspects relating to the establishment of a joint programme for the construction of large civil transport aircraft,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

conscious of the fact that the scale of investments and risks involved in civil aircraft construction programmes means that no longer can any European country launch new programmes in isolation and also that European countries should not launch rival programmes;

HEREBY agrees upon the following objectives for the implementation of the Council Resolution of 4 March 1975 on concerted action and consultations between the Member States on industrial policy in the aeronautical sector (4): (a) the establishment, in close consultation with all interested circles, of a coherent strategy with regard to any new construction programme for large civil transport aircraft, whereby the various options will be examined and duplication avoided from the outset;

(b) optimum use of design and construction capacities, including subcontracting to competitive industries, within the various Member States;

(c) joint action by European manufacturers in the search for possible formulae for cooperation with United States industry, in order to promote penetration of the world market by European industry;

(d) definition of economic viability criteria for deciding on the launching of any new programme such as, for instance, a sufficient number of orders or options;

(e) implementation of procedures to bring together representatives of manufacturers and airlines for the purpose of defining aircraft types for pre-project discussions leading up to the decision to launch;

(f) adoption of all possible measures to ensure that airline companies give competitive European aircraft a fair chance;

(g) exploration of the opportunities and the procedures for a joint effort with regard to basic research with a view particularly to developing the know-how required for the future generation of aircraft and to making the best use of the resources and capacities of the Member States.

(1) OJ No C 265, 19.11.1975, p. 2. (2) OJ No C 178, 2.8.1976, p. 8. (3) OJ No C 131, 12.6.1976, p. 1. (4) OJ No C 59, 13.3.1975, p. 1.