Activities of Laima Liucija ANDRIKIENĖ related to 2018/2109(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on strengthening the competitiveness of the internal market by developing the EU customs union and its governance
Amendments (8)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly welcomes the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by the EU and, which is the first multilateral agreement since the establishment of the WTO in 1995; recalls the importance of its full implementation by all WTO signatories in order to simplify and modernise export and import processes worldwide, to promote transparency and boost trade flows globally; calls on the Commission to continue working closely with the Member States, OECD and the WCO in reducing existing gaps in customs control systems;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that a fully functional customs union is essential in order to guarantee the credibility and strength of the EU when negotiating trade agreements; emphasises that an efficient EU customs union should facilitate trade and reduce administrative burdens for legitimate traders, in particular SMEs as well as ensuring effective controls, inter alia by fostering cooperation between the customs authorities of Member States and third countries;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that creating seamless customs processes across the Union through the reform of IT infrastructure is pivotal; strongly urges the Commission to implement without further delay the IT systems needed for the IT customs infrastructure; considers that digitalisation has to the potential to make the exchange of information and the payment of duties more transparent and accessible, in particular for operators in third countries; recalls that the development of the required IT systems needs sufficient financing and calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the availability of resources for the necessary IT systems;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the current divergent levels of controls and their quality, and of customs procedures and sanctions policies at points of entry into the customs union, often result in the distortion of trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the single market; strongly encourages, in this context, the transfer of responsibilities from national customs authorities to EU level; notes that due to the diverging customs turnover at national level, Member States prioritise the implementation of the UCC differently; strongly calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure a coordinated, uniform and efficient implementation of the new system set by the UCC without further delay;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the current divergent levels of controls and their quality, and of customs procedures and sanctions policies at points of entry into the customs union, often result in the distortion of trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the single market; strongly encourages, in this context, the transfer of responsibilities from national customs authorities to EU level;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that within the EaP policy the EU associated countries that have made substantial progress in implementing AA/DCFTA-related reforms could eventually join the Customs Union which would facilitate trade between EaP associated countries and the EU, reduce administrative costs and foster economic growth;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reminds that the UK will continue to participate in the EU Customs Union during the transition period; recalls the fact that the United Kingdom will become a third country after withdrawal from the EU, thus altering the EU’s external borders; stresses that the Brexit process should not negatively impact on the development or governance of EU customs. and that the changes to the customs systems at the EU external borders shall not be deducted from the funds allocated to the development of IT infrastructures;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the fact that the United Kingdom will become a third country after withdrawal from the EU, thus altering the EU’s external borders; stresses that the Brexit process should not negatively impact on the development or governance of EU customs union.