The European Community and 12 of its member ....
3 May 2004
The European Community and 12 of its member states accede to the revised Kyoto Convention
The following press release was made available by the World Customs Organization on 30 April 2004. In addition to the European Community, the following countries acceded to the Kyoto Convention last week: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Canada acceded to the Convention in 2000.
Today [30 April 2004], the EC and 12 of its Member States deposited their instruments of accession to the Protocol of Amendment to the WCO’s International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (revised Kyoto Convention).
The Irish Commissioner for Customs, Mrs Josephine Feehily, declared that "today’s global economy requires simplified, consistent and predictable Customs procedures to allow goods to be traded in a cost-effective manner, without undue delays. Business and governments are demanding that Customs administrations respond positively to these needs. The revised Kyoto Convention does just that".
The revised Kyoto Convention was adopted by the WCO Council as the blueprint for modern Customs procedures in the 21st Century. It is at the heart of the WCO’s drive towards enhanced trade facilitation in a secure environment. The revised Kyoto Convention is the basis for a Customs model and sets minimum standards for predictability, transparency, legal processes, use of information technology and modern techniques such as risk management.
Its principles ensure a balance between Customs’ various functions, namely providing facilitation for legitimate trade while exercising appropriate controls for the security of the supply chain, protection of society and revenue collection.
As Customs is a mandatory element in the movement of goods across borders, timely and efficient goods clearance can significantly influence the economic competitiveness of nations, encouraging investment and industrial development.
In the changing environment in which Customs now operates, it is clear that the early implementation of the principles laid down by the revised Kyoto Convention will yield significant and measurable results by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.
Governments are therefore encouraged to apply the principles contained in the revised Kyoto Convention and to recognize the importance of accession.
Bringing the ceremony to a close, the WCO Director of Compliance and Facilitation, Jouko Lempiäinen (Finland) stressed that "this is a very important day marking the start of real efforts to implement the revised Kyoto Convention at national level and to further amplify it at international level".
The accession of the EC and 12 of its Member States brings the total number of Contracting Parties to 31. The revised Kyoto Convention will enter into force once 40 Contracting Parties have signed the Protocol of Amendment.
This press release is available on the WCO web site, at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/en/press/WCO-EU-Kyoto04.04v8.htm