Brussels, 20/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - the European Commission is calling on France to correct the discriminatory regime used for taking aerial photographs. The French civil aviation code currently imposes an authorisation procedure for those who are not of French nationality. Such a system is not compatible with the general principle of non-discrimination established in Articles 43 and 49 of the EC Treaty in respect of freedom of establishment and freedom to provide of services within the single market.
The Commission is also calling on France to revise its administrative system for non-resident operators on French territory. This system has also turned out, the Commission indicates, to be discriminatory given that the pace of residency is a criteria equivalent to nationality.