§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions are being carried on between the European Commission and NATO on the subject of European aviation safety; on whom do what responsibilities fall; and what proposals are emerging from these discussions. [HL1432]
§ Lord GilbertI am not aware of any such discussions. The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, EUROCONTROL, has the primary responsibility for harmonisation of European air traffic management systems and procedures and, under its22WA Convention, the organisation is required to act in co-operation with national military as well as civil authorities. The European Commission currently has observer status in EUROCONTROL. The NATO Committee for European Airspace Co-ordination, CEAC, contributes to aviation safety by providing a forum for co-ordinating the operational requirements of military airspace users in NATO Europe with those of the civil sector. There are regular contacts between EUROCONTROL and CEAC staffs.