The EU-Turkey Customs Cooperation Committee (CCC) has decided to mutually recognize the respective Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) programs of the European Union and Turkey, marking a new step in strengthening customs cooperation between the two sides.
The Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO MRA) will allow customs authorities in both jurisdictions to recognize each other's trusted trader status, facilitating legitimate trade while improving the supply chain. safety.
Agreement on Trade Facilitation and Enhanced Risk Management
According to the European Commission, mutual recognition of trusted trader programs will allow customs authorities to take into account the status of the operator's AEO when conducting a risk assessment and determining the appropriate level of customs control.
The Commission stated that the agreement is expected to simplify customs procedures for authorized enterprises, while supporting closer cooperation between EU and Turkish customs.
The agreement will enter into force after a structured exchange of information on the status of authorized economic operators is established between the two parties.
Based on the existing structure of the Customs Union
The Commission stated that the agreement represents a significant step in strengthening customs cooperation within the existing EU-Turkey Customs Union, while providing practical benefits for economic operators in both markets.
The EU and Turkey have been linked by a Customs Union since 1995 on the basis of the 1963 Ankara Agreement and its 1970 Additional Protocol.
Under the current framework, the Customs Union is based on the free circulation of goods, but covers only industrial products and processed agricultural products. Agricultural products, as well as coal and steel products, remain outside its scope and continue to be regulated by preferential trade agreements based on the status of origin of products.
