Council act

of 8 May 2003

drawing up a Protocol amending, as regards the creation of a customs files identification database, the Convention on the use of information technology for customs purposes

(2003/C 139/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 34(2)(d) thereof,

Having regard to the initiative of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic(1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),

WHEREAS the Customs Information System provided for in the Convention on the use of information technology for customs purposes(3) should be used for the exchange of information concerning the existence of documents about ongoing or completed investigations and for the appropriate coordination of investigations,

HAS DECIDED that the Protocol, the text of which is given in the Annex and which has been signed today by the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Union, is hereby established,

RECOMMENDS that it be adopted by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements(4).

Done at Brussels, 8 May 2003.

For the Council

The President

M. Chrisochoïdis

(1) OJ C 328, 23.11.2001, p. 12.

(2) Opinion delivered on 18 December 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(3) OJ C 316, 27.11.1995, p. 34.

(4) The date of entry into force of the Protocol will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.