ECA addresses important topics for professional pilots, such as the development of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the future shape of the European Single Sky, and changes to pilot licensing and regulations governing the way commercial aircraft are operated. There are a number of such topics which - it is obvious - ECA must address at European level. However, the ECA Team also "lend their weight" to issues which are predominantly national, but with a European dimension.

ECA regularly receives requests for support from both the established, long term members to the west of the continent, and the newer members from the east. This might be help in solving an issue originating from EU legislation, or which may be connected to JAA or EU regulation or its interpretation. ECA may just offer advice or supply information; a letter from the President, Secretary General or the appropriate Director; or attendance at a meeting with the Airline CEO or Minister for Transport; all of these have been requested and used by our Member Association, normally helping to secure a successful outcome.

One current case which is still not resolved is a dispute between JAT Airlines and our MA from Serbia, the Serbian Cockpit Association (SCA). JAT made a number of SCA members redundant in the 1990s and SCA supports their claim that JAT acted outside the law. Whether JAT acted properly, or not as SCA alleges, is a matter for the Serbian courts. However, one of the foundations of justice is that it is available in a realistic timeframe. SCA is frustrated that a case of unlawful dismissal is still outstanding, and with no resolution in sight, more than 7 years on!

Both from the moral perspective of a civilised society, and from the legal perspective of international treaty obligations; the Serbian legal system seems to be in default. JAT is itself in danger of being accused of playing a "long game" in the morally reprehensible hope that the pilots concerned will die - or give up - before their cases can be resolved. This would mean that their claims would die with them!

The Serbian Government seems to have put the short term financial interests of its airline ahead of the rights of its own citizens to seek justice. It also puts at risk the desire of Serbia to join the EU - as one of the fundamental requirements for a candidate country is an independent and effective judicial system.

ECA has written, at the request of the SCA, to both Serbian authorities and those in the European Commission responsible for enlargement of the EU. As ECA President, I have also offered to accompany the representatives of SCA to a meeting with JAT airways senior management, or government or judicial authorities. Without resolution, we will ensure that the EU Commission cannot forget these professional pilots, who gave a lifetime of service to their airline and yet are now being denied fair treatment, and access to justice.

ECA's role is to represent the interests of our Member Associations at the European level. This means close cooperation with the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), as well as with our own Member Associations. Cooperation is a "two way street", and in the political, industrial and technical areas, ECA is active in both leading the effort at European level and supporting our members at national and international levels.