Brussels, 03/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 1 April, the European Commission adopted a communication sketching out a new strategy for the future of customs union geared to specific objectives and new working methods. Before beginning to develop more specific plans, the Commission hopes to have the political endorsement of member states on the broad lines of the new strategy - an opportunity to adopt its customs policy to the challenges of a globalised economy as the EU celebrates the 40th anniversary of its customs union on 1 July. “It is … time to reflect on a new long term strategy in order to maintain the high performing EU customs. Therefore, the Commission needs clear political guidance from the Council to elaborate such a strategy and full commitment from the member states in providing the necessary resources for the future developments” of customs policy, says Laszlo Kovacs, European Commissioner for customs union, in a press release.
Common strategic objectives. According to the Commission, the main objective is to safeguard the key position of customs as partners to trade, and services able to protect not only the EU's financial interests but also the security of European citizens. The strategic objectives of future customs policy should be as follows: - enhancing protection of the society against safety and security risks through levies and taxes, hunting down illegal goods, combating terrorism and organised crime, and detecting fraud and abuse, and to have mutual administrative assistance; - promoting competitiveness of European enterprise through harmonised working methods, the implementation of a paperless customs environment (eCustoms programme, see EUROPE 9562), and through proactive normative actions that could serve as a model throughout the world; - facilitating legal trade by improving control systems and by granting facilities to operators that keep to the rules; - controlling and managing logistics channels used for international trade in goods (strengthened effectiveness of controls at the most appropriate part of the chain, respect of European law on the control and circulation of goods, and systematic sharing of information on risks); - and improving collaboration between national customs authorities as well as between the latter and economic operators through strengthened cooperation mechanisms and cooperation between third countries and in international bodies.
New working methods. In order to achieve these strategic objectives, the Commission considers it necessary to adjust the working methods used by customs services. Only continued strengthening of know-how, competence and resources will maintain the effectiveness and the efficiency of these services, it states. (M.B.)