Official Journal of the European Union 30.9.2004 COUNCIL DECISION of 30 March 2004 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on intensifying and broadening the Agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters to include cooperation on container security and related matters (2004/634[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 133 thereof, in conjunction with Article 300(2), first sentence thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: The Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters (') (CMAA) provides for the possibility of its expansion with a view to increasing the levels of customs cooperation and supplementing them by means of agreements on specific sectors or matters. The Commission has negotiated on behalf of the Com- munity an agreement with the United States of America intensifying and broadening the CMAA to include coop- eration on container security and related matters (the Agreement). The Agreement expands the customs cooperation between the Community and the United States of America to cover container security and related matters. It envisages the prompt and successful expan- sion of the Container Security Initiative to all ports in the Community that meet relevant requirements. The Agreement also sets out a work programme for further implementation measures, including the development of standards for risk management techniques, information required to identify high-risk shipments imported into the Parties, and industry partnership programmes. The external coordination of customs control standards with the United States of America is necessary to ensure supply chain security while guaranteeing the continued () OJL 222, 12.8.1997,p. 17. flow of legitimate trade in containers. In particular, it is essential to ensure that all Community ports can partici- pate in the Container Security Initiative on the basis of uniform principles and that comparable standards are promoted in United States (US) ports. Thus, the direct aim and content of the Agreement concerns the facilita- tion of legitimate trade between the Community and the United States of America while ensuring on a reciprocal basis a high level of security by allowing for cooperation in developing actions in specific control areas in respect of which the Community has competence. Member States should have the possibility to expand the Container Security Initiative to all Community ports through arrangements with the United States of America identifying Community ports that participate in the Container Security Initiative and providing for the stationing of US customs officials therein or to maintain any such existing declarations of principles to that end, provided these arrangements are in conformity with the Treaty and compatible with the CMAA as expanded by the Agreement. It is necessary to ensure close cooperation between the Member States and the Community institutions for the purpose of further intensification and broadening of the customs cooperation under the CMAA as expanded. To that end a consultation procedure should be estab- lished whereby Member States envisaging to negotiate arrangements with the United States of America on matters covered by the CMAA as expanded would immediately notify such intention and provide the rele- vant information. If so requested by a Member State or the Commission within short time limits the information should be the subject of consultations between the Member States and the Commission.