92001E2936

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2936/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 October 2001)

Subject: Aeroplanes displaying the EU logo

Certain airlines in certain Member States display the European Union logo on their planes, although most of them continue to ignore this identifying symbol which contributes so effectively to propagating a sense of EU identity.

It is obvious that the display of the logo will not become standard practice as long as this is left up to the discretion of the airlines. Some other way of ensuring that all the Union's airlines display the Community symbol is therefore called for.

Does the Commission believe that it should submit a legally binding proposal which would, when adopted by the relevant Community authority, oblige Community planes to carry the European symbol?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's view that the Union's logo, i.e. the flag with yellow stars, helps in a positive manner and in many different contexts to make the European identity known throughout the world. The Commission is therefore pleased to see a number of airlines displaying the logo on their aircraft.

However, as the Commission has already pointed out in previous answers, the Commission does not take the view that the use of the Union's logo by European airlines should be made compulsory.

Moreover, the use of the logo is in all cases subject to prior authorisation in accordance with the agreement concluded between the European Community and the Council of Europe which is the legal owner of the logo.