Customs: action programme Customs 2007, 2003-2007

The Council laid down a general approach, by a qualified majority, whilst noting the reservations of a number of delegations on the legal basis. To recall, the Commission proposal is based on Article 95 of the Treaty, which is the same legal basis as for the previous programmes. Yet since one of the important aims of the proposed Customs 2007 Programme is to strengthen customs cooperation, a number of delegations consider that the appropriate legal basis should be Article 135 of the Treaty. However, a joint legal basis combining both Articles 95 and 135 may be acceptable.�