"
The traffickers have a knack for putting their finger on the weak links of our Customs Union
", insists Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner in charge of the Economy.
Illegal imports take place at the external borders of the European Union (EU).
The risk is health and safety, in the event of entry of unapproved food or medical equipment.
It is also financial.
In addition to the unfair competition they imply, unreported inflows represented a loss of 25 billion euros in 2018 in the European budget.
That is 13% of Union revenue that year.
Brussels therefore wants to modernize its customs union.
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Paolo Gentiloni: "This crisis is also a historic opportunity for the EU"
The thirty or so actions proposed are based on four axes.
First, improving risk forecasting.
Brussels wants to set up a platform to exchange and analyze customs and non-customs data.
What better way to detect risks and shortcomings, but also to manage crises like that of Covid-19.
A work
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