Brussels, 15/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 15 May, European Finance Ministers approved the conclusions on the European Commission communication laying out a new strategy for the future of the customs union (EUROPE 9635). They underline the importance for future customs policy that will allow: for an increase in competitiveness of legitimate enterprises by way of one-stop-shops and new inspection methods; improvement in product and trade safety by fighting counterfeiting and fraud; increased cooperation between economic operators, national authorities, international organisations and third countries.
The Ecofin Council is calling on the Commission to update a comprehensive action plan by the end of 2009 to implement the new customs strategy and present it with a complete balance sheet of the progress achieved by now until 2011. The European Union will celebrate forty years of customs union at the beginning of July. The Commission has launched an information campaign on the events that will be organised as part of this commemoration (EUROPE 9644). (M.B.)