Organizational and Legal Features of Obtaining by the European Union Rights and Obligations Akin to Those of the World Customs Organization Members

The presented research material is a continuation of a previously published article on the organizational and legal features of obtaining membership in the World Customs Organization (WCO) by the European Communities (EC), contains an analysis of the third and fourth stages (2006-2007), within which the EC received rights and obligations akin to those of the World Customs Organization Members. A task. To systematize and analyze legal and organizational features, as well as activities aimed at obtaining rights and obligations akin to those enjoyed by the WCO members for the EC in the period from 2006 and 2007. Conclusions. The research article is devoted to the issues of the legal status of the EU in the WCO and the use of the EU precedent for the implementation of the Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025 (Strategic Directions) in terms of joint actions with Member States aimed at obtaining by the Union the WCO membership status. The subject of the study is the stages, activities, organizational and legal instruments and consequences of EU membership in the WCO. The performed analysis of stages and legal and organizational features of obtaining by EU the WCO membership can be used to develop conceptual approaches for the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to obtain the WCO membership status in the course of implementing the Strategic Directions. Social Consequences. Conducting a study of the legal status of customs and economic unions in the WCO is associated with the implementation of paragraph 11.7.5. of Strategic Directions in terms of cooperation with this international organization. Practical value. The results of the study are of interest to the customs cooperation block of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and can be used by specialists from customs and other executive authorities in the EEU member states, EEC experts to organize and implement mutually beneficial customs cooperation between the EEC and the WCO. The article is recommended to researchers, teachers, students, graduate students and other categories of students in the Russian Customs Academy, in other universities and the WCO regional training centers in the specialties «Customs» and «Jurisprudence». Originality/value. The research material is based on an analysis of the practical aspects of the activities of the EU, the WCO and is the result of a comprehensive study of the issue of the legal and organizational basis for obtaining the WCO member status by economic and customs unions.

The World Customs Organization, the WCO, the Eurasian Economic Union, EEU, the Eurasian Economic Commission, EEC, European Communities, European Union, EU, EC, customs regulation, customs administration, international customs law, customs, customs and economic union, legal instruments and tools