Customs: action programme Customs 2007, 2003-2007

PURPOSE: To propose a new "Customs 2007" programme. CONTENT: The European Commission is urging an adoption of the Customs 2007 programme based on the success of the previous, 2002 project. An interim report, published in July 2001 was both encouraging and positive, concluding that the new working structure of Customs 2002 combined with the more operational approach taken have resulted in long term benefits to the Community. Thus, an extension of the 2002 project would: - Help foster employment by contributing towards a competitive business environment with reduced compliance costs. - Prepare for enlargement and after enlargement, facilitate the full integration of new Member States allowing for an enlarged Community acting under on set of customs administration and one single administration. - Improve the protection offered by customs to the consumer and to the financial interests of the Community. Based on the findings of the Report the Commission proposes that the 2007 programme should focus on: - ensuring the continued use of previously developed computerised systems; - continuing standardisation of the present working methods; - providing practical support to the candidate countries, to which the programme should be opened; - improving actions to prevent irregularities; - supporting the creation of e-customs via the development of communication systems; - reducing compliance costs, which would contribute towards the creation of a competitive business environment; - developing training actions that would respond to the needs arising from the various programme activities. It is proposed that the programmes tools would include information exchange, management and project groups, benchmarking, exchange of officials and the setting up of workshops. The overall cost of the programme over the following five year period is estimated at EUR 133 million. In light of the many benefits past programmes have yielded and in light of the fact that an extension of the programme is considered both desirable and necessary, the Commission urges a speedy adoption of the proposed Decision.�