Europe possesses a unique asset: a single market of 450 million consumers built on common rules, which has enabled companies to grow, innovate and expand within a harmonised framework.
Yet, constraints still persist within this space, which could be lifted to strengthen the development of the single market and its businesses. Ensuring a genuine level playing field—both within the Union and in its relations with the outside world—is an essential condition for trust and competitiveness. When fraud, under-declaration or the entry of non-compliant products are allowed to flourish, it is law-abiding companies, employment and consumers that ultimately bear the consequences.
These challenges have become even more pressing in light of recent geopolitical and economic shifts, including the return of protectionism and tensions in supply chains. Customs is often viewed solely through the lens of control. The current context requires us to shift our perspective and see it as a tool for to facilitate international trade, but also as a major instrument of sovereignty, economic security, protection and global influence for Europe.
In this regard, the strengthening of the European Union Customs Union (EUCU) represents a historic step, one that we strongly welcome, with the ambition of turning customs modernisation into a driver of development for all European businesses.
Lille at the Heart of European Trade Flows : A Truly European Candidacy
It is within this broader logic of integration and modernisation that Lille’s candidacy makes full sense, offering solid foundations for the future development of the EUCU.
Located in close proximity to Brussels, connected to the capitals of north-western Europe, closely linked to the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, and serving as a gateway to the United Kingdom—with nearly 50% of EU-UK flows transiting through this territory—Lille stands as a strategic hub for European trade. Establishing the EUCU there would place it at the very heart of the flows it will be responsible for organising.
The region has also developed unique expertise since Brexit in managing demanding borders while ensuring the continuity of trade. Lille also benefits from a leading digital and cybersecurity ecosystem, notably supported by EuraTechnologies and by an academic community of more than 100,000 students, providing the skills required for a modern customs system built on data and risk anticipation.
This candidacy is also supported by an unprecedented collective mobilisation of economic, political, academic and civil society stakeholders. Here, perhaps more than anywhere else, we can ensure that the EUCU and the teams responsible for its success will find the right environment to fulfil their mission of development, security and global outreach, at the service of Europe and its businesses.
Choosing Lille is not about defending a national interest. It is about placing the EUCU at the heart of the flows it is meant to organise, in a territory that is deeply European in its geography, economy and history, within a region capable of supporting the success of this agency. France has the honour of proposing Lille.
By choosing it, the Union would remain faithful to its promise of a more competitive, fairer and stronger Europe.
By Patrick MARTIN, President of MEDEF, Benjamin HADDAD, Minister Delegate for Europe, David AMIEL, Minister of Public Action and Accounts, Laurent SAINT MARTIN, Head of the Lille bid project to host the EU Customs Authority (EUCA), former Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in charge of Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Pascal LAMY, former European Commissioner for Trade, and Ambassador of Lille's bid to EUCA, Xavier BERTRAND, President of the Hauts-de-France Region, Pascal BOULANGER, President of the Grand Lille Committee, Arnaud DESLANDES, Mayor of Lille, Philippe HOURDAIN, President of the Hauts-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jean-Pierre LETARTRE, President of MEDEF Lille Métropole, Philippe LORBAN, President of MEDEF Hauts-de-France, Christian POIRET, President of the Nord Department, Éric SKYRONKA, President of the European Metropolis of Lille.