Customs 2002: action programme 1996-2002 in the Community

PURPOSE: to amend the Decision of the 19th December 1996 adopting an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2000). CONTENT: Based on the Commission's report to the European Parliament and the Council of the 24th July, this proposal makes provision for the following : - to integrate into a single legal instrument under a single budget heading joint measures with the Member States to develop new working methods, computerisation (so far covered by the first IDA programme), training measures currently covered by the Matthaeus programme and access for non-EU countries to cooperation and technical assistance operations in the customs field ; - opening up the programme to the Eastern and Central European applicant countries, Cyprus and Turkey, on condition that they make a financial contribution to the programme and, where relevant, their representatives are allowed to attend the monitoring committee as observers ; - opening up the programme to Malta, based on the joint Association Council decision of 28th April 1998. - the setting up of a Management Committee to replace the present Matthaeus Committee and assist the Commission in the implementation of the guidelines set out for the different spheres of activity in the amended Decision; - the extension of the period of application of the programme to 31st December 2002.�