On Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January, the Member States’ representatives to the Council of the European Union (Coreper) discussed the procedure for choosing the seat of the future EU Customs Authority (EUCA).
While negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU Council are due to continue discussions on the reform of the Customs Code (see EUROPE 13771/6), it has been decided that the procedure concerning the choice of seat will be discussed separately. The co-legislators are currently working on a so-called Common Understanding that will serve as the basis for the decision-making procedure concerning the future seat of the EU’s Customs Authority, as well as the process leading up to that decision.
Nine cities submitted their candidatures at the end of November: Liège (Belgium), Malaga (Spain), Lille (France), Zagreb (Croatia), Rome (Italy), The Hague (Netherlands), Warsaw (Poland), Porto (Portugal) and Bucharest (Romania) (see EUROPE 13762/20). These applications were assessed by the European Commission and published on Tuesday 20 January.
However, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) invited the nine Member States of the candidate cities to a public question-and-answer session to be held on Wednesday 28 January. Parliament wants to move forward with its choice of candidate.
According to a European source, although the hearings of the candidates are “an integral part of this process”, this invitation was sent “unilaterally” meaning without consulting the EU Council. “For its part, the EU Council has committed itself to this joint process in a constructive and fully transparent spirit of sincere cooperation”, defended the European source.
Coreper has therefore considered a joint response to be sent to Parliament, a response which is still being studied.
Operation ‘Seduction’. Since mid-December, the candidates have embarked on ‘Operation Seduction’, organising one reception after another to showcase their strengths. Presentation videos, speeches by ministers, a buffet featuring national cuisine, music and gifts for guests: nothing is too good to convince the co-legislators that their candidacy is the best.
Applications are based on four main criteria: - the date on which the EUCA can become operational on site after the entry into force of the Regulation, in particular the availability of suitable premises and the capacity to accommodate staff; - site accessibility, in particular public transport links between the nearest international airport or international/national railway station and the site; - the existence of adequate education facilities for the children of EUCA staff; - appropriate access to the labour market for spouses of staff. As specified in the EU Treaties, geographical balance must also be taken into account.
Porto. Portugal got the ball rolling. Pedro Duarte, Mayor of the City of Porto, emphasised his city’s historical link with customs, a city that over time has become “a European gateway”.
“The Portuguese tax administration is one of the most innovative and efficient in Europe. We have been investing over the last decades in the digitalisation of the tax administration”, said Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Minister of Finance. Portugal also highlighted its city’s many air connections and the very central location of the proposed building.
The Hague. “EUCA needs a city that offers trust, security and close cooperation with key partners. And that’s exactly what The Hague offers. Our city hosts Europe’s largest security cluster including Europol, Eurojust and many international organisations, universities and research centres”, said Mayor Jan van Zanen.
The Netherlands also emphasised accessibility to the international airports of Schiphol and Rotterdam and the port of Rotterdam. According to the country’s customs authorities, between 30% and 40% of goods destined for Europe transit through the country. More than 25% of e-commerce goods are transported online.
Lille. Prior to the presentation, France gave Member States’ tax attachés a tour of the building it plans to use to host the EUCA. The Agora, located in the Euralille business district, combines energy, comfort and safety certifications.
The city also offers a digital ecosystem, in particular the presence of several major European companies specialising in cybersecurity and the hosting of events such as the AI Summit and the INCYBER Forum. “Lille is home to 80 multinational corporate headquarters. That’s the second highest concentration in France after Paris”, said Ludovic Grousset, Deputy Director General in charge of economic development and employment at the Lille Metropolitan Area.
Warsaw. Already home to the Frontex agency, the Polish capital aims to create a synergy for EU security. “Just as border guards stand shoulder to shoulder with customs officers at the EU external borders, so can the Frontex and EUCA agencies be next to each other in performing their operations in synergy in Warsaw”, explained Andrzej Domański, the Polish Finance Minister.
Poland is proposing three buildings to host the EUCA, in order to leave the choice to Europe’s political decision-makers at a later date. The first one, built around ten years ago, is already available. The two other buildings still require renovation work. One will be available at the end of 2026, and the other by spring 2027 at the latest. Poland wishes to offer the possibility of adapting these structures to the needs of the EUCA and its staff.
Málaga. Like Warsaw, Spain is proposing three buildings to host the EUCA, leaving the choice open. One is already available, and the other two will be available at the end of 2026 and 2027. All three are within easy reach of the train station, airport and port, which offer numerous international connections.
Rome. As the host city of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Italian capital already has the appropriate infrastructure for EUCA staff and their families, as well as good transport links.
Zagreb. Along with Romania, Croatia is the only candidate Member State not to host any European agency or authority. It therefore offers an advantage in terms of geographical balance.
What’s more, the Croatian capital is always among those with the lowest cost of living. Croatia is the eighth most affordable Member State in which to live. As a result, the staff of the future EUCA would benefit from a lower cost of living and would be able to find accommodation easily, given property prices.
Liège. Belgium highlighted its city’s geographical location, “at the crossroads of the European continent and the wider world”, according to Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He also highlighted the educational and research ecosystem in the field of trade and customs, with the ‘Customs & Trade Law Academy’ centre created by HEC Liège and the Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology, and the ‘e-Origin’ project, financed by the Walloon government, which is developing an innovative new customs control tool to certify declaratory data.
Bucharest. Romania is the only Member State that has not yet presented its candidacy. The event is scheduled for Wednesday 28 January. According to the Commission’s assessment, Romania’s planned premises could accommodate 250 people in 8,100 m², but requires an estimated time for fit-out works of six months.
To read the Commission’s assessments: https://aeur.eu/f/ke9 (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)