EU and Turkey reach customs agreement as Spanish firms increase EU lobbying

The European Union and Turkey have reached a mutual recognition agreement regarding their respective Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs. This decision is expected to enhance customs cooperation, improve risk management, and increase the fluidity of customs operations for companies trading between the two markets. Logistics firm KLN Iberia noted that the agreement should improve supply chain security, efficiency, and predictability while potentially reducing certain security-related controls.

Separately, major Spanish companies are significantly increasing their lobbying efforts within the European Union. Data from the EU transparency register shows that Ibex 35 representatives held 652 meetings with high-level European Commission members and MEPs during the first 20 months of Ursula von der Leyen’s second term. This represents a fivefold increase in meetings compared to the start of the previous legislature. Telefónica, Santander, and Repsol are leading this surge in activity as they seek to influence the Commission’s regulatory simplification agenda to bolster competitiveness.