14.6.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 154[25 DECISION No 624/2007EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 May 2007 establishing an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2013) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3, Whereas: 1 A major objective for the Community over the coming years is the creation of growth and jobs, as reflected in the re-launch of the Lisbon Strategy. The previous programmes in the customs field, in particular Decision No 253/2003/ EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2003 adopting an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2007) (°) (hereinafter referred to as Customs 2007), have significantly contrib- uted to the achievement of that objective and to the overall objectives of customs policy. It is therefore appropriate to continue activities commenced under those programmes. A new programme (hereinafter referred to as the Programme) should be established for a period of six years to align its duration with that of the multiannual financial framework contained in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (*). Customs administrations play a vital role in protecting the interests of the Community, particularly its financial interests. They also provide an equivalent level of protection to the citizens and economic operators of the Community at any point in the Community customs territory where customs clearance formalities are carried out. In this context, the strategic policy defined by the Customs Policy Group has aimed at ensuring that national customs administrations operate as efficiently and effectively and react to any requirement arising from a changing customs environment as would one single administration. It is therefore important that the Programme is consistent and supportive of the overall customs policy and that the Customs Policy Group, comprising the Commission and the heads of customs administrations of the Member States or their representatives, is supported under the Programme. The implementation of the Programme should be coordi- nated and organised by the Commission and the Member O] C 324, 30.12.2006, p. 78. Opinion of the European Parliament of 12 December 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 16 April 2007. OJ L 36, 12.2.2003, p. 1. Decision as amended by Decision No 787/ 2004/EC (O] L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 12). 0OJ C 139, 14.6.20006, p. 1. States within the common policy developed by the Customs Policy Group. There is a need for action in the customs field to give priority to improving controls and anti-fraud activities, to minimising the cost of compliance with customs legislation for economic operators, to ensuring the efficient manage- ment of the control of goods at the external borders and to protecting citizens of the European Union as regards the safety and security of the international supply chain. The Community should therefore be able, within the framework of its own powers, to support the action of customs administrations of Member States and full advantage should be taken of every possibility for administrative cooperation and mutual administrative assistance provided for by Community rules. In order to support the accession process of candidate countries, the customs administrations of those countries should be given the necessary backing to be able to undertake the full range of tasks required under Commu- nity legislation from the date of their accession, including the management of future external borders. Therefore, the Programme should be open to candidate and potential candidate countries. In order to support customs reforms in countries participating in the European Neighbourhood Policy, it is appropriate to provide for the possibility, under certain conditions, of their participation in selected activities of the Programme. The increasing globalisation of trade, the development of new markets, and changes in the methods and speed of the movement of goods, require customs administrations to strengthen relations between themselves, as well as with business, legal and scientific circles, or other operators engaged in foreign trade. The Programme should provide the opportunity for persons representing those circles or entities to participate in activities of the Programme, where appropriate. The trans-European computerised secure communication and information exchange systems financed under Customs 2007 are essential for the operation of customs within the Community and for the exchange of information between customs administrations and should therefore continue to be supported under the Programme. The experience gained by the Community from previous customs programmes has shown that bringing officials from different national administrations together in profes- sional activities using tools such as benchmarking, project