Analysis of the Legal Status of Observers in the World Customs Organization

Purpose. To analyze the legal status of observers in the World Customs Organization (WCO). Design/methodology/approach. The research article is devoted to the issue of the legal status of observers in the WCO. The subject of the study is the legal instruments and tools of the World Customs Organization, as well as its acts regulating the legal status of observers. The research material presents the historical aspects of the participation of observers in the WCO activities, analyzes their international legal status, and also considers the procedural aspects of the work of observers in the activities of the working bodies of this organization. Based on the results of the study, conclusions and recommendations were formed within the framework of cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the WCO. Social implications. Conducting a study of the legal status of observers in the WCO is associated with the implementation of paragraph 11.7.5 of the Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Economic Integration until 20252 in terms of cooperation with this international organization. Practical meaning. 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 EEC, the WCO and is a continuation of scientific and practical publications on the improvement of the EEU law in the framework of interaction with the WCO.

The World Customs Organization, the WCO, the Eurasian Economic Union, EEU, the Eurasian Economic Commission, EEC, customs regulation, customs administration, international customs law, customs, observer, customs and economic union, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental international organizations