Toulouse, 25/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - "Airbus is a striking example of the benefits of European co-operation. We must take urgent steps to work together in the same way on all aerospace issues if we are to secure the long-term benefits of a competitive aerospace industry for Europe's economy and security". This is the thrust of the message sent out by Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner responsible for business, on Friday on a visit to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse. This visit followed on the presentation by the Advisory Council for Aeronautic Research in Europe (Acare), on 12 November, of a strategic research agenda for the sector (see EUROPE of 14 November, p.17) and comes within the broader framework of the "START 21" report. Presented in July 2002, this report underpins the need for European initiatives in the fields of trade, governance of civil aviation, defence and aeronautics, to strengthen the sector's competitiveness. Messrs. Liikanen and Noel Forgeard, Airbus CEO, examined progress made in new programmes such as the A380, which will be the largest passenger carrier aircraft when placed into service in 2006, and also analysed the difficulties resulting from the current fragmentation of aerospace policies in Europe.