Council Directive 93/115/EEC of 16 December 1993 amending Directive 90/684/EEC on aid to shipbuilding

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/115/EC of 16 December 1993 amending Directive 90/684/EEC on aid to shipbuilding
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 92 (3) (d) and 113 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas Council Directive 90/684/EEC of 21 December 1990 on aid to shipbuilding (4) will expire on 31 December 1993;
Whereas the aid policy established in that Directive has generally achieved its objectives;
Whereas, however, in spite of the improvements forecast due to the expected increase in the demand for shipbuilding it is too early to speak of full normalization on the world shipbuilding market;
Whereas the Community's existing policy needs to be maintained in order to promote the long-term survival of an efficient and competitive European shipbuilding industry;
Whereas the Community is still pursuing its efforts within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) framework to reach a multilateral agreement between the world's most important shipbuilding nations on a rapid phasing-out of all  direct and indirect public support measures in the shipbuilding, ship conversion and ship repair sector as well as other obstacles to re-establishing normal competitive conditions in the sector;
Whereas this agreement must ensure fair competition at an international level among shipyards through a balanced and equitable elimination of all existing impediments or obstacles to normal competitive conditions; whereas it must provide an effective  instrument for counteracting injurious pricing practices inconsistent with the agreement;
Whereas this Directive and Directive 90/684/EEC are without prejudice to any amendments that may be necessary in order to comply with international obligations entered into by the Community,