31.12.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 373/21 (Acts whose ﬁublication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 16 December 1991 on mutual acceptance of personnel licences for the exercise of functions in civil aviation (91/670/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 84 (2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas the existence in sufficient numbers of cockpit personnel holding the necessary qualifications and licences is vital for the smooth and safe running of air transport services; Whereas also the completion of the internal market by the end of 1992 requires the existence of an efficient air transport system in order to facilitate the movement of persons within the Community; Whereas air transport is a highly dynamic and raﬁidly developing sector of a particularly international character; whereas, therefore, the balance between supply and demand in personnel can be maintained more efficiently at the Community than the national level; (1) OJ No C 10, 16. 1. 1990, p. 12; and OJ No C 175, 6.7.1991, p. 14. (2) OJ No C 284, 12. 11. 1990, p. 198. (3) O] No C 124, 21. 5. 1990, s. 18. Whereas it is therefore essential that the common transport policy in the field of civil aviation be extended to facilitate the movement of cockpit personnel within the Community; ‘ Whereas the requirements for licences of cockpit personnel differ between Member States; Whereas the qualifications required for licences are not at present laid down by the Community; whereas Member States therefore retain the option of fixing the level of such qualifications with a view to guaranteeing the safety of services provided by aircraft registered on their territority; whereas they may not, without infringing their obligations laid down in the Treaty, require a national of a Member State to obtain those qualifications, which in general they determine solely by reference to their own national education and training systems, where the person concerned has already acquired those qualifications in another Member State; Whereas in order to facilitate compliance with Treaty obligations and to ensure the mobility of cockpit personnel, a Community procedure should be introduced for the acceptance of licences and qualifications of such personnel; Whereas the recognition of private pilots’ licences can already be established in all Member States;