Brussels, 15/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - The EU and the USA have approved the first joint measures to assist maritime transport security measures, as part of anti-terrorist action. These measures were adopted on Monday by the Joint EU/US Joint Customs Cooperation Committee, which follows the framework agreement for Trans-Atlantic cooperation in this area signed on 22 April in Washington (EUROPE 23 April p 9).
Concretely, a decision was made to set up an information exchange network and identify "best practices" for security inspections in international trade. The two sides also agreed on minimum demands to fulfil by European ports seeking to take part in the US Container Security Initiative (CSI) and agreed to launch a pilot project for testing the feasibility of information exchange on cargo boats between the USA and EU. This information should help customs agents identify and assess risks linked to transhipments. The US authorities have also proposed that the EU sent the USA liaison officers who will be stationed at the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) National Targeting Centre to further improve Trans-Atlantic information exchange. The two sides also ante to evaluate possibilities for launching partnership programmes between business leaders on both sides of the Atlantic and improve the security supply chain, as well as legitimate trade. Given the increasing role of technology in the security of goods transport, the joint EU/US committee for customs cooperation has also decided to set up an experts group in charge with exploring the possibilities for technological innovation in this area. It was also suggested Monday that European Commission experts and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continue their work towards mutual recognition and reciprocal application of measures and standards applied in Europe and the USA. The first results and recommendations in this area should be presented in spring 2005.
The Commission is confident that the result of customs cooperation in maritime transport will open the way to comparable measures and cooperation in other modes of transport.
The customs framework agreement signed in April covers security for all imported, transborded or transiting containers in the EU from all countries that go to the USA. It puts more substance into the customs cooperation and mutual assistance agreement of 1997 (CMAA). The 1997 agreement highlighted traditional customs cooperation, whereas this year's agreement also focuses on security for the logistical chain in international trade. The new agreement also replaces the bilateral agreements certain EU countries signed with Washington (France, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Netherlands).