The main purpose of the forum is to facilitate and increase trade between countries, reduce barriers to the free movement of goods and align rules and procedures with the EU acquis to ensure smooth access of the countries of the region to the common European market.

In his remarks, Gazheli underlined the facilitating role of customs in the import of medical products and vaccines, through the green corridor, as a success story of regional customs cooperation, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The General Director of Customs emphasized that “Albania is engaged in cooperation with CEFTA, in the project of exchange of information on freight before arrival, increasing the interaction with the customs administrations of 6 countries of the Western Balkans, enabled by SEED (Systematic Exchange of Electronic Data).”

The General Directorate of Customs announces that it has undertaken the appropriate measures, in terms of promoting trade through the Green Corridors with the countries of the region and the border countries that are members of the European Union.

As a positive experience, the Forum discussed the green lines with North Macedonia and Serbia, in the framework of the Open Balkan initiative, for the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators, while the same agreement was technically reached with the customs of Kosovo.

During this Forum, Gazheli held bilateral meetings with the customs administrations of Italy and Greece, which focused on the expansion of cooperation, the exchange of information and the streamlining of customs procedures. /j.p/sm/