Our Chairman of the Board of Directors Mehmet Altay YEGİN's article titled If the Safe Working Group Meeting was published in the "What Kind of Economy" newspaper.
The 30th meeting of the “SAFE Working Group” was held on November 6 and 7 in Brussels, the headquarters of the World Customs Organization (WCO). The meeting was attended by
On behalf of the Association of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), we participated with a delegation of three people. The delegation consisted of myself, Andaç ÖZSOY, and Aysun YILMAZ
WCO Secretary General Mr. Ian SOUNDERS addressed to our Association. In the invitation letter signed by Mr. Ian SOUNDERS, Secretary General of the WCO, it was stated that our association would be pleased to participate in the negotiations to be held under the topics of increasing global security concerns and emerging threats, increasing digitalization of supply chains and refocusing on trade facilitation, increasing the security and facilitation of global trade, as well as the innovative method for the harmonious implementation of the SAFE Standards Framework and the Authorized Economic Operator program.
During the two-day “SAFE Working Group” meeting, the following topics were discussed:
Integration of SMEs into the AEO program,
Extending the AEO concept to cover cross-border e-commerce,
Expanding the FMS concept in Free Zones, introducing simplification practices in AEO programs for Free Zone stakeholders,
Discussing the report of the sixth Global AEO Conference held on 8-10 May 2024 and the draft Shenzhen Action Plan.
AEO-related decisions taken at the “SAFE Working Group” meetings are recognized as one of the cornerstones of economic development.
The trend for global investors to prefer countries with an AEO program is gaining momentum. While simplification of customs procedures increases supply chain efficiency and security, it is obvious that AEO practices will become more widespread through increased cross-border cooperation.
I am also pleased to announce that as per the decision taken in the first session, Mr. Meriç KELLECİ, Head of Trade Facilitation Department of the General Directorate of Customs, was appointed as the Vice President of the World Customs Organization (WCO) AEO. We would like to thank him for his devoted work and wish him success in his new position.
At the “SAFE Working Group” meeting, in addition to AEO, topics related to “SAFE Standards” that are of interest to world trade were also discussed.
In this context, the following issues were discussed:
- Expansion of the SAFE Standards Framework
- The business cycle of world trade in 2025
- Security assessments of the customs administration and cooperation with other competent authorities
- 2025 trade progress report and its possible revisions
It should not be forgotten that increasing the efficiency of global logistics chains also means increasing the welfare of the global community.
Since the first formation of the AEO system, the fact that international trade, which is becoming increasingly globalized and competitive, needs reliable companies before different customs administrations, thus responding to the instant needs of the global logistics chain, has been given special importance in the agenda of the Working Group.
The 30th “SAFE Working Group Meeting Notes”, which we shared with the members of our Association at the end of the meeting, will also shed light on us for the new period.
On November 18, with the decision of the “Extraordinary General Assembly” taken by the members of the association we came together with the decision of the “Extraordinary General Assembly”, the acquisition of “International Association Status” and the amendment of the bylaws that will enable the acceptance of members from abroad to the association were approved.
Following this decision, we will continue on our way as the “International Association of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO)”. In addition, it is obvious that we will develop our association with the international meetings we will participate in and we will gain a vision for the acceptance of new members.
Mehmet Altay YEGIN
International Authorized Economic Operator Association
