A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed today between the Governor of the Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE), Giorgos Pitsilis and the Governor of the Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), Dr. Christos Tsitouras, with the aim of safeguarding the security from illegal actions of air cargo from third countries to EU airports, as well as air transport in general.

With the cooperation of the two authorities, the utilization of the risk analysis by the AADE customs services is sought, in the context of the implementation of the new Import Control System (ICS2), in order to:

enhanced control measures are taken on air cargo from third countries to European Union airports and,

if deemed necessary, to prevent the loading of these goods on the aircraft or,

once these have been loaded, to inform the authorities of the overflight and host Member States in a timely manner.

In particular, it is provided for:

the development of an international system for providing information on third country air cargo to EU airports, before it is loaded onto an aircraft

the establishment of an obligation for third-country cargo carriers to apply additional measures, following notification by the customs services through the APA, that the cargo is characterized as high risk.

the coordination of procedures between the parties involved, in the event that the Customs Authorities issue a "Do Not Load" (DNL) message for a specific cargo shipment

the activation of the Contingency Plan, when an aircraft carrying cargo potentially dangerous for civil aviation has already departed. In this case the HCAA informs the first European airport of reception

the coordination and exchange of security information through a secure ICAO website, at any time of the day, for possible further actions in the first host state in the EU. or in the first overflight state.

The Governor of the Independent Public Revenue Authority, Giorgos Pitsilis, said: "I am convinced that the strengthening of cooperation between our Authorities will be the springboard for an integrated approach to risk management. With today's memorandum, the customs services of AADE become the "eyes" of HCAA thanks to the know-how and information they contribute. To promote aviation safety and protect society as a whole. For the further facilitation of the free flow of legal trade and the promotion of healthy entrepreneurship".

The HCAA Governor, Dr. Christos Tsitouras, said: "The Civil Aviation Authority, fully harmonizing with the requirements of the European Union, fulfills its role as the Competent Aviation Authority of the country and hastens to implement the European legislative and regulatory framework to strengthen the safety of air cargo transportation. The Memorandum we are signing today marks the establishment of the inter-agency cooperation of the HCAA and the AADE with the aim of safeguarding the security of air cargo and Civil Aviation in general from illegal actions. As HCAA Governor, I welcome with particular satisfaction the official start of this important collaboration with a common goal of responding to the overwhelming social need to promote safety in air transport and I express my personal commitment as well as my unshakable certainty for its successful outcome".