WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2816/97 by André SAINJON to the Commission. Boeing - McDonnell Douglas merger
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, SAINJON
Subjects: EU programme, aerospace industry, applied research, international competition, merger, technological change

C 117/70

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 4. 98

(98/C 117/89)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2816/97

by Andre· Sainjon (ARE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Boeing › McDonnell Douglas merger

The Commission(cid:146)s acceptance of the Boeing › McDonnell Douglas merger poses fundamental problems:

1. What industrial policy should the Union adopt in response to American provocation?

2.

Can it encourage the large European groups to come together, and how?

Can  it  give  new  momentum  to  aeronautical  and  space  research  in  the  context  of  the  Fifth  Framework

3.
Programme?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 1997)

In  July  1997  the  Commission  announced  that  it  would  be  presenting  a  communication  on  the  future  of  the
aerospace industry to Council and the Parliament in the autumn. This document was adopted by the Commission
on 24 September 1997 (cid:145)The European aerospace industry meeting the global challenge(cid:146) (1) and covers the points
raised by the Honourable Member.

The  Commission  agrees  that  in  the  face  of  mounting  international  competition  it  would  be  in  the  aerospace
industry’s  interest  to  be  able  to  benefit  from  the  economies  of  scale  and  synergies  which  larger  European
industrial groups could provide. The Commission also believes that any industry consolidation effort must be
industry-led and be based on sound economic and commercial criteria which would allow the aerospace industry
to be a dynamic and flexible player in the international aerospace market.

As far as the fifth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities
(1998-2002) (2) is concerned, acknowledging the importance of technology acquisition in the aeronautics sector,
the Commission has proposed a key action (cid:145)New perspectives in aeronautics(cid:146). Within this the Commission will
implement  co-ordinating  actions  to  support  the  strategic  objectives  of  the  European  aerospace  industry.
Similarly, in the domain of space technologies and space applications the Commission will ensure a coherent
approach in its Community research and technological development (RTD) actions under the different specific
programmes  of  the  5th  framework  programme,  as  well  as  synergy  with  other  policies  relating  to  space
applications.  Such  co-operation  stimulates  synergy  between  applied  and  fundamental  research  in  the  many
interrelated aerospace disciplines and increases the impact at all levels of the supply chain. Also the Commission
has  put  into  operation  a  reinforced  co-ordination  with  the  European  space  agency  in  general  and  its  RTD
programmes in particular.

(1)  COM(97) 466.
(2)  COM(97) 142.

(98/C 117/90)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2818/97

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Marine science and technology projects

According to the Agence Europe bulletin of 7 July 1997, the Commission has approved funding for 56 projects
under the marine science and technology research programme.

What Portuguese projects, if any, are included among the above?