Customs 2000: Community action programme 1996-2000

Mr Von Wogau welcomed the ‘excellent compromise’ obtained by the Conciliation Committee, even though some of Parliament’s demands had not been adopted. He also referred to the objectives of the ‘Customs 2000’ programme, which was aimed at ensuring the same level of protection for all the borders of the Union. This would also apply to areas such as combating fraud, which would benefit from the computerisation of the customs services, and, more specifically, Community transit. The rapporteur concluded by referring in particular to Parliament’s proposals, which had been accepted by the Council, in respect of a common training scheme for customs officials and the use of a distinctive insignia on customs officials’ uniforms. While also appreciating the outcome of the conciliation process, Commissioner Monti focused on the more significant innovations introduced by the compromise text: recognising the need to complete the single market with a view to introducing a ‘home market’, the aim of delivering an identical service at all borders and of displaying the Community’s 12-star emblem on all custom officials’ uniforms, and providing the programme with sufficient financial resources, mainly for completing the computerisation of the Community transit system by 1998 at the latest. This was why, he concluded, it was necessary to go beyond the simple homogenisation of procedures and controls.