Brussels, 16/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 16 May, the European Union signed a mutual recognition deal with China for certified operators, under which these operators will be processed quicker and in a less burdensome manner at customs. There are around 15,000 such certified companies in the EU. Customs services will be able to focus resources on areas presenting genuine risks and thus improve security of the supply chain on both sides. EU Taxation and Customs Commissioner Algirdas Semeta described the signing of the agreement as a great step forwards in EU-China trade. The EU has already signed similar deal with the United States (in 2012) and Japan (2011) and was the first trading partner to sign a deal with China. On Friday, the EU signed a strategic customs cooperation framework setting out the main areas of action in future years, such as trade facilitation, security along the supply chain and tackling counterfeiting and smuggling. Also signed was a new EU-China action plan on intellectual property rights to clamp down on counterfeiting by boosting cooperation, communication and coordination. (EL)