Brussels, 27/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, signed, on Wednesday, the directive on rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Community airports. The directive was adopted on Tuesday by the Council (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.8). The text may therefore take effect immediately. The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading mid-March, on the basis of the report by Georg Jarzembovski (EPP, Germany), resulting from an informal negotiation with Council (see EUROPE of 14 March, p.12). The aim was to conclude the legislative process before 1 April, when the new legislation on aircraft noise would repeal the "hushkit regulation". "The European Parliament managed to process this piece of legislation quickly and in time for the critical 1st April deadline (…) thereby avoiding a legislative vacuum", stresses the EP in a press release. It specifies that "the directive constitutes a significant step forward in dealing with the growing problem of aircraft noise. Further work will be needed to continue to work for a uniform approach to this global problem at an international level". The Member States will have 18 months in which to transpose the directive into national law as of the day when it appears in the Official Journal.