Security rules operating in European airports since last November, which retailers say have had a significant impact on duty free sales, are to be discussed at the upcoming EU- US summit next month, when officials will examine the possibility of striking a bilateral accord on the issue.
This follows a meeting between the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, Irish MEPs and representatives of retailers in Strasbourg yesterday, where he said he wished to see the speeding up of arrangements for bilateral agreements between the EU and other "like-minded" countries, including the US.
The matter is also due to be discussed at preliminary meetings in advance of next month's summit and could involve the introduction of a system for the "mutual recognition" of security processes between designated countries.
Eventually, passengers from countries which have these bilateral arrangements with the EU would be able to transit through Europe without facing the prospect of having duty-free liquid items such as alcohol and cosmetics confiscated.
Yesterday's meeting comes amid concerns about the impact of the security rules on duty-free sales at Irish and other European airports.
Since last November, passengers who fly into the EU and then fly on to another destination in Europe as a transit passenger face having their liquid duty free purchases confiscated.
However, passengers travelling directly from countries such as the US to a country in the EEA can keep such goods.
Retailers claim that the rules have led to a significant fall-off in duty-free sales in the affected countries, including Ireland, as passengers become more conscious that they face having their purchases confiscated.
Aer Rianta International, which is based in Shannon, runs more than 20 duty-free operations around the world and employs 3,000 people.
Latest figures from the European Retail Travel Council show that 300 tonnes of liquid products have been confiscated since November 3rd at Frankfurt airport, 145 tonnes at Schipol airport and 110 tonnes at Zurich airport.
Currently the regulations apply to the 27 EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.
Brian Crowley MEP (Fianna Fáil), president of the UEN political group in the European Parliament, and Seán Ó Neachtain MEP (FF), a member of the transport committee in the European Parliament, met Mr Barroso yesterday.
Also at the meeting was Frank O'Connell, president of the European Travel Retail Council.
Mr O'Connell told The Irish Times the meeting was "very encouraging" and he was hopeful that bilateral agreements with "hub" countries could be in place before the summer season.
"I think [ Mr Barroso] realised the importance of this going forward to the summer," Mr O'Connell said. "There is about a three-month window here to sort this out."