EU Douane Unie 40 jaar, Brussels

Atomium in Brussel
© Kevin Bergenhenegouwen
date July 1, 2008
city Brussels, Belgie
attending L. (László) Kovács i et al.
organisation European Commission (EC) i

The 1st July 2008 marks 40 years of Customs Union in Europe. To celebrate this milestone, Commissioner for Taxation and Customs, László Kovács, is participating in a number of activities organised around the anniversary.

The week of 9 June was Customs Action Week, and the Commissioner will visited the customs at the port of Rotterdam (9 June), Frankfurt airport (11 June) and Röszke land border (Hungary- 12 June), to highlight the important but often invisible role of the Customs Union in protecting citizens and facilitating trade.

On 17 June, Commissioner Kovács gave a press conference in Strasbourg following the European Parliament vote on the resolution on Customs Union.

On 4 July, there will be a French Presidency event in Bercy, hosted by French Budget Minister Eric Woerth, to celebrate the anniversary of Customs Union. Commissioner Kovács will speak at this event, which will also be attended by the Director Generals of all the Member States' customs administrations.

There are also many activities taking place at national level to celebrate the anniversary of Customs Union.

Contents

  1. Bijeenkomst
  2. Achtergrond
  3. Bronnen
  4. Perscontacten
  5. European Commission (EC)
  6. More about...

1.

Bijeenkomst

The 1st July 2008 marks 40 years of Customs Union in Europe

2.

Achtergrond

Since its creation on 1 July 1968, the EU Customs Union has been one of the cornerstones of European integration and a key component of the single market. It has brought about two major achievements:

  • - 
    the removal of all customs duties and restrictions between Member States
  • - 
    and the application of a common customs tariff at the external frontiers.

Customs play a crucial role in protecting the EU's 500 million citizens, while at the same time working to facilitate trade.

3.

Bronnen

Information on Customs Union, and the activities being organised around the anniversary:

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/40customs/index_en.htm

  • • 
    I-056378: EU external border control
  • • 
    I-056819: Enlargement of the Schengen area to airports of nine new Member States
  • • 
    I-055974: Enlargement of the Schengen area

Commissioner Kovacs'website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kovacs/index_fr.htm

4.

Perscontacten

Maria Assimakopoulou +32 2 2959842 maria.assimakopoulou@ec.europa.eu

Emer Traynor +32 2 2921548 emer.traynor@ec.europa.eu

5.

European Commission (EC)

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU and runs its day-to-day business. It is made up of the College of Commissioners, 27 European Commissioners, one for each member state, who are each responsible for one or several policy areas. In addition, the 'Commission' also refers to the entire administrative body that supports the Commissioners, consisting of the Directorates-General and the Services.

The European Commission is the sole EU body capable of proposing new legislation. The Commission also performs an oversight function, monitoring whether European legislation is properly implemented in the member states. In the event of non-compliance, the Commission can coerce a member state to comply by starting a legal procedure at the European Court of Justice.

6.

More about...