Commission Regulation (EU) No 185/2010 of 4 March 2010 laying down detailed measures for the implementation of the common basic standards on aviation security does not contain rules for cargo and mail being carried to Union airports from third countries. It is necessary to introduce such rules in order to protect civil aviation carrying such cargo from acts of unlawful interference.

Regulation (EU) No 185/2010 should therefore be amended accordingly.

When assessing aviation security in third countries, consideration will be given to cooperation and partnership agreements concluded between the Union or individual Member States and third countries that provide a basis for guaranteeing the proper implementation of aviation security standards.

When concluding Air Transport Agreements with third countries, the Commission and Member States should work towards achieving enhanced cooperation on aviation security supporting the implementation and application of standards and principles in third countries equivalent to those of the Union where this is effective to meet global threat and risk.

By July 2013 the Commission should, together with Member States and stakeholders, examine the practical consequences and feasibility of the implementation of independent validation for air carriers carrying cargo from third country airports into the EU and the regulated agents and known consignors from which they directly accept consignments, and make any adjustments to the system, including amendments to this Regulation, where necessary.

Building on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) contracting states’ responsibility to meet at least ICAO standards for cargo security, the Commission and the Member States should reach out to authorities in third countries to cooperate with and, where possible and requested, provide assistance with capacity building in relation to the implementation of requirements to secure air cargo and mail being carried into the EU.

The Commission will coordinate and take an active part in Union action for facilitating the implementation of aviation security requirements in respect of operations into the Union from third country airports and provide non-EU bodies with access to relevant information on a strict need to know basis and on the condition that sufficient guarantees are in place.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on Civil Aviation Security set up by Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 300/2008,