The Diplomat
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Arancha González Laya will chair the group of experts set up by the European Commission to “identify innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges” facing the EU Customs Union, the institution said in a statement.
This “group of wise men” will advise European institutions and member states on how to prepare for new business models and technological developments, as well as how to efficiently manage the Customs Union “to ensure agile and robust processes to accelerate the twin digital and green transitions”.
The group chaired by the former Spanish minister will be composed of people from politics, industry, trade and academia and is tasked with producing a report by spring 2022 that will feed into the debate among EU institutions on the future of the Customs Union.
“We need new ideas from people with wide experience and knowledge and who think outside the box to be prepared for the future of the Customs Union,” stressed Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni. “I look forward to the proposals of this group so that customs can function better for the benefit of citizens and businesses,” added the Italian.
The EU executive said that “efficient” customs controls are “essential” for “the world’s largest trading bloc”, with around 900 million shipments a year worth almost €4 trillion.
On her Twitter account, the former minister thanked Gentiloni for the appointment and said the report will prepare “ideas to help customs manage increased e-commerce, ensure border security, green trade and taxation”.
