Customs and Transport: Joint EU-U.S. Supply-chain Security Statement

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Delegation of the European Union to the United States

Jun 23, 2011, 12:18 ET

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Algirdas Semeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation, Customs, Anti-fraud and Audit http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/semeta/headlines/news/2011/06/20110623_en.htm, along with Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for Transport, and Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom, signed a joint statement on supply-chain security with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. This joint statement defines an ambitious agenda for enhanced bilateral cooperation between European Commission services http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm and their counterparts within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in charge of customs, aviation security, maritime security, research and development.

"In a globalized world, no country can secure the supply chain in isolation," said Commissioner Semeta. "National supply chain security policies are ineffective and too costly unless they are supported by enhanced international cooperation. Through international cooperation we can ensure policy coherence, establish compatibility of national systems; and we can reduce costs."

In signing this statement, the EU and the U.S. respond to the global security challenges, notably in view of past attempted terrorist attacks. In particular, the statement calls for the implementation of mutual recognition of EU and U.S. trade partnership programs and sharing risk information, as well as recognition wherever possible of each other's transport security controls. In practice, the recognition of each other's partnership programs will help reduce red tape for EU and U.S. businesses trading across the two continents while ensuring high security standards.

Text of the Joint Statement: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/index_en.htm

SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States