EU-US Conclude Memorandum on Civil Aviation Research and Development

18 June 2010: The European Commission and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have concluded negotiations for the establishment of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in civil aviation research and development.

The MoC will enable the EU and the US to jointly develop and deploy greener and more efficient air transport systems. Parties will focus, among other things, on safety, security, environment, performance, alternative fuels, aircraft design and satellite-based communications. They envisage developing in the near future additional annexes, including on the use of alternative fuels in aviation. The agreement also provides that the EU and the US will coordinate their technical efforts in support of global standardization of air traffic management (ATM) systems through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The MoC is expected to enter into force in early 2011. [EU Press Release]