Brussels, 24/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - By adopting a resolution on the European defence industry, proposed by its chair Elmar Brok, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign affairs and Defence calls on the EU to rationalise its efforts. Remarking that "the Member states of the European Union spend the equivalent of some 60% of the defence budget of the United States but the return in military capabilities is but equivalent to 10%", the MEPs stress the European inadequacies in matters of intelligence and military logistics. Taking on board an amendment by Pasqualina Napoletano (Italy, PES) and Gary Titley (British, PES), the Committee declared itself "deeply concerned" at "Italy's disengagement from the European project in the air transport sector" (Airbus A400M). Yet, it stresses, "a strong, efficient and viable European arms industry and an effective procurement policy are vital for the development of the European security and defence policy". The MEPs whence plead in favour the creation of synergies between national projects and multinational projects. They call on the Commission to update its 1997 action plan on the European defence industry, notably examining means of integrating defence in trade policy and the internal market, of creating a consultative committee in the field of defence and integrating the industry of candidate countries. They call on Member States to grant "greater priority to the creation of a European Weapons Bureau". Finally, MEPs consider that the code of conduct for arms exports should be seen as an "integral part of European industrial policy" and should become "legally binding".