EU assistance to bring Albania’s customs in line with the EU

A €2 million project funded by the EU will enable the improvement of Albania’s customs system over the next two years. The project will bring EU expertise and know-how from Member States to assist Albania in completing its customs legislation and improving its practices in line with those applied by EU Member States. The project ultimately advances Albania’s integration process by bringing Albania to the same club of customs procedures that facilitate trade in the EU and that have made the Internal Market a success.

The EU has long assisted Albania in improving its customs system. This project builds on the improvements achieved progressively in the past and comes in a more direct form with objectives and activities that are tailor-made to Albania’s specific needs. The twinning between the Albanian authorities, Austrian Customs Administration and the support of the Polish Customs Service will bring to Albania experts from EU Member States to complete Albania’s legislation in this area in line with the EU one; to implement the National Strategy on Integrated Border Management; and to prepare Albania for adhesion to the Common Transit Convention.

During the project’s launching ceremony, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Helmuth Lohan emphasised that it is the harmonisation of customs procedures that in great part explains the success of the EU Internal Market, as it has created a business environment of predictability and reliability. He noted that “the EU is investing so many resources in bringing Albania’s customs in line with those of EU member states because of Albania's EU integration perspective. For Albania to harmonise its procedures with those of EU members means to experience EU integration in hard, tangible terms. It means becoming a part of a vast market where the rules of the game are known, respected, and business-friendly”.

The €2 million project will continue until 2012 and it will be implemented by the Austrian Customs Administration and with the support of the Polish Customs Service.

Source;balkans.com/