PARIS, April 10: Directors at European aerospace giant EADS said on Tuesday they had failed to reach agreement on paying shareholders a 2006 dividend, underlining a crisis at the group and its aircraft manufacturing subsidiary Airbus.

“The members of the board were not able to come to an agreement on a dividend proposal,” the European Aeronautic Defence and Space company said in a document submitted to shareholders ahead of its May 4 general assembly.

The group has therefore allowed shareholders themselves to decide on the question, it said.

“In the absence of a proposal from the board the shareholders will be able to propose that the net result of the 2006 tax year, or 99 million euros, should be added to the profits maintained or distributed in the form of a dividend, wholly or partially,” EADS said.—AFP