Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/285 |

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(2004/C 84 E/0331)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4018/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2004)

Subject:   Standardised use of the European flag on aircraft of EU airlines

The circumstance that some airlines from EU Member States display the European flag on their aircraft while others do not has given rise to the most diverse interpretations by airport authorities in third countries. This, not surprisingly, generates considerable confusion over the symbolic dimension.

One might therefore think it logical that there should be Community legislation to standardise the use of the European flag as a symbol, on aircraft that belong to the same (European) community. The consensus among third-country airport authorities is that either the Community flag should be displayed by all aircraft from EU Member States, or none of them should have the right to use or display it.

Can the Commission state its position on standardisation? Does it believe legislation should be proposed on the matter, in order to ensure that the EU projects a unified corporate image in this respect?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2004)

The European emblem dates back to 1955 and is the ‘property’ of the Council of Europe. In 1979, the Council of Europe notified the emblem to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. As a result, the emblem obtained protection in accordance with Article 6ter of the Paris Convention on the protection of industrial property.

Thus, any initiative to adopt Community legislation harmonising the use of the European emblem on aircrafts belonging to aircraft companieslocated in the Union would require the consensus of the Council of Europe.

With regard to the substance of the question, the Commission thinks that an initiative of the kind, as suggested by the Honourable Member, would require an in-depth prior assessment, notably involving the European air transport companies and competent national air transport authorities on the implications for the organization of air traffic, taking into account the legal framework of the Chicago Convention on international civil aviation.

The Commission is not aware of any practical problems arising for EU airlines in third countries due to the non-standardised use of the European flag.

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