Parliament backs seat-selection process for EU Customs Authority
Key Message
Parliament provisionally endorsed a seat-selection procedure that gives Parliament and the Council equal footing in choosing the EU Customs Authority's location. Rapporteur Dirk Gotink said the procedure ensures an efficient and fair process, equal voice, guaranteed outcome and sufficient legitimacy among both co-legislators.
Context
Both institutions will first hold simultaneous internal votes to pre-select two favourites each from nine candidates and then meet jointly. If a city appears on both shortlists it is selected, otherwise the institutions proceed to a joint vote. MEPs held a Q&A with all nine candidate cities on January 28 to consider each bid and provide input for the selection.
Implications
The provisional agreement advances the timeline for deciding the EU Customs Authority's seat but still requires final Council endorsement expected tomorrow and is linked to final votes on the seat selection and Customs Code reform scheduled for March 25-26.
Sources
Official Documents
- Parliament endorses the seat selection procedure for the EU Customs Authority Parliament endorses the joint seat-selection procedure for the EU Customs Authority, to be finalized with Council endorsement; if overlaps occur, one city wins; otherwise a three-round joint vote will decide the seat.
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