The primary role of the Group will be to reflect on the development of innovative ideas and concepts and deliver a report that contributes to a general inter-institutional debate on the future of the Customs Union.
In order to stimulate “thinking outside the box” in the EU debate on the future of the Customs Union, the Commission calls on external expertise and establishes a “Wise Persons Group on Challenges Facing the Customs Union” (WPG). The primary role of the Group will be to reflect on the development of innovative ideas and concepts and deliver a report that contributes to a general inter-institutional debate on the future of the Customs Union. The report should identify ideas for customs reforms that would benefit the EU Member States, the EU as whole and society at large. The Group will prepare its report in full independence.
WPG Tasks
The Wise Persons Group has been invited to reflect on the following key topics:
- E-commerce
- Risk management
- Effective management of customs’ increasing range of non-financial tasks
- Future governance structure
The Wise Persons Group might also, in the course of its discussions, identify other challenges that the Customs Union could face in the future. When identifying solutions to deal with these issues, it should be noted that the EU is not alone and that many trading nations around the world are confronted with similar challenges.
Source ec.europa.eu
