TIRANA, October 3 /ATA/ – A delegation from the Albanian Customs Administration, led by Director General Besmir Beja, held its first coordination meeting in Brussels with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). The meeting focused on implementing European Union digital customs systems and achieving full interoperability with the European digital customs environment.
During the meetings, Beja discussed the progress of reforms undertaken by Albania under Chapter 29, “Customs Union,” as well as the results achieved by the Albanian Customs Administration, with officials responsible for customs and digitalization at DG TAXUD.
Director General Besmir Beja emphasized that the digitalization of customs infrastructure and its interoperability with European systems constitute a key priority in Albania’s path toward European Union integration.
He also commended the professional capabilities of the Albanian Customs Administration staff, who presented the work accomplished on the new systems to the European experts.
A significant portion of the meetings focused on cooperation mechanisms between Albania and DG TAXUD, progress reporting and monitoring, the exchange of contact points for specific projects and further technical coordination. The parties agreed to hold periodic meetings of technical teams, as well as quarterly meetings to assess the overall progress of the process.
At the conclusion of the meetings, it was agreed that the next coordination meeting would take place in Tirana in three months, where there will be presented progress achieved during this period and the next steps of the work.
In parallel with preparations for the implementation of NCTS, Albania is also proceeding with the legal process for accession to the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure. The draft law for the ratification of the Convention has been prepared by the Albanian Customs Administration and is expected to be submitted for review to the Council of Ministers and subsequently to the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, in accordance with national procedures.
The coordination meeting with DG TAXUD represents a significant step in strengthening technical cooperation between Albania and the European Union and in fulfilling commitments regarding the negotiations for Chapter 29, “Customs Union.” /p.s./
