Brussels, 04/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided to open an investigation procedure concerning Korean subsidies to its shipbuilder, under the EU trade barriers regulation (TBR). The elements of proof provided by the Committee of European Union Shipbuilders Associations (CESA) seems in fact to bear witness to the unfairness of this practice, which has already been the object of numerous bilateral talks, and the existence of a prejudicial trade impact for the European sector. The Commission has five months as of the publication of this decision in the Official Journal, on 2 December, to analyse the situation in all its legal and factual aspects, by carrying out checks with those interested, possible on the ground. It could then, on the basis of the conclusions it will publish after this period (or in the two months that follow, at the latest), bring this dispute before the WTO, by starting with a call for talks in Geneva. The bilateral talks failed last September, "due to the Korean intransigence in accepting a credible and effective solution to resolve the problem of unfair prices", indicated the spokesperson, when recalling that Korea had refused the principals set out by the WTO of "normal value" (according to which the price of boats must reflect al the costs and include a reasonable profit margin) and dismissed any responsibility for this case on its industry (see EUROPE of 25 October, p.10).