Budapest, 4th - 5th April, 2013

In line with the strategic directions and recent activities of the WCO Europe Region, a regional seminar on the Authorized Economic Operator was organized by the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary betwen 4th and 5th April 2013 in Budapest.

AEO experts from 13 countries and representatives of the private sector were present at this regional event held in the WCO Regional Training Centre and entitled "Mutual trust – key to enhancing legal trade". The seminar focused on AEO related successes and challenges in the WCO European Region, at the same time, providing an excellent opportunity for the participating countries to exchange experience based on the presentation of national best practices on, to discuss AEO related issues of common interest , and to further enhance cooperation between Customs administrations and with the private sector.

The official programme was preceded by a welcome reception on the evening of 3rd April with a concert given by the Hungarian Finance Guard Wind Orchestra.

Brigadier General Károly Szabó, the Director General of the Customs and the Finance Guard opened the seminar by highlighting the importance of enhancing the AEO concept in order to support legal trade, and of build trust between Customs administrations and the private sector.

At the end of the programme, participants adopted a Declaration where they agreed to further explore the benefits of the SAFE Framework of Standards, enhance efforts to further develop the AEO model, share experience and best practices and enhance co-operation via international expert meetings.