Brussels, 20/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) officially accepted complaints lodged by the United States and the European Union, each accusing the other of granting illegal state aid to aircraft manufacturers Boeing (US) and Airbus (EU). An EU representative is quoted by AFP as commenting in Geneva that the EU regretted the fact the United States has decided to choose the road of conflict rather than negotiation, adding that the United States have unfortunately refused to budge one inch. The WTO will have 20 days in which to appoint three or five experts for each of the two dispute settlement panels. If both sides fail to agree on the appointments, the WTO Director General may decide, within a further 10 day deadline, to appoint referees himself. The panels will then have six months to decide on the disputes, but will be able to request more time if necessary, given the complex nature of the cases. Their decisions can be appealed against. Despite re-opening the WTO dispute settlement procedure, both sides still say they are ready to hold further negotiations to reach an amicable solution. In Brussels on Monday, deputy French foreign trade minister Christine Lagarde said nothing stopped the EU from talking to the US until the last day of the proceedings, which may be some time in the future.