Betere coöperatie tussen EU en Oostelijke Partners (en)

The seminar ‘Towards better cooperation’, held on 19th-20thOctober 2011, was the most important event of the Polish Presidency for Poland’s Customs Service.

The conference, held in Cracow, was attended by the chiefs of customs services and high-level representatives of the EU countries, countries encompassed by the Eastern Partnership programme and the European Eastern Neighbourhood initiative as well as representatives of the European Commission and the World Customs Organisation.

The first day’s deliberations began with an address by Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union. He emphasised the great importance of further economic integration between the European Union and interested partner countries as well as the economic benefits of developing trade in goods and services with those countries.

The practical portion of the event comprised workshops at which the Eastern Partnership countries defined their priorities and goals vis-à-vis the European Union, whilst the EU member states presented their proposals of cooperation and technical support. Representatives of the eastern countries gave participants an introduction to projects being carried out in cooperation with the European Union. Many practical examples of cooperation were highlighted in such areas as customs laboratories, risk analysis, training sessions pertaining to Authorised Economic Operators and many others. The important role played by the EU border mission EUBAM (Ukraine/Moldova) was emphasised. The eastern countries also presented a concrete list of expectations of the EU and their most urgent needs. The existing interconnections between eastern and EU countries were shown, and their possibilities for further development indicated.

On the basis of the needs indicated by the Eastern Partnership countries, the high-level seminar has resulted in a catalogue of concrete measures to be taken in order to further bolster integration and cooperation with the European Union. In particular they involve information sharing, as well as the modernisation of the customs administrations of eastern countries and transit procedures. In all those areas, closer cooperation between the EU and the eastern countries should facilitate freer and swifter border crossing and an even more effective fight against trans-border crime.

In Cracow the decision was taken to continue activities in this forum. Ukraine has declared its willingness to host the 2012 high-level conference which will enable the evaluation of the progress achieved in integration and improved cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Neighbourhood countries.

During the conference, the Customs Service Chief who presided over the deliberations also held a number of bilateral meetings including talks with the heads of the customs services of Ukraine and the United Kingdom as well as the Secretary of the World Customs Organisation.

Thanks to the support of the Municipality of Cracow and the city’s Customs Chamber, the guests also had the opportunity to experience the tourist attractions of Cracow.