EU-funded customs modernisation finalized

TIRANA, July 25- A EU Euro 1.5 million project to help modernize Albania’s Customs Administration has successfully completed, leaving behind better laws and practices, improved capacities for faster, scrupulous and just customs. The project brought EU know-how from the Italian Customs and Monopolies Administration and the French General Customs and Excise Directorate to assist Albanian Customs in improving the legislation and procedures based on European standards. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Clive Rumbold, the Charg顤’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Albania underlined that “the future efficiency and accountability of Albania’s customs system depends on the commitment of Albania’s authorities to the principles of efficiency and accountability, on their commitment to work together for such a system, so that it ensures not only the smooth flow of legitimate trade, but at the same time, protect citizens from risks posed by international trade: fraud, terrorism, organised crime, and intellectual property rights infringements. Rumbold also added that the modernization of Albania’s customs system is also important in the fight against corruption, to level the playing field for businesses and to ensure fair competition. The Euro 1.5 million project improved the performance of the Albanian customs administration by implementing best managerial, operational models according to EU blueprints and WCO safe standards, by enhancing human resource capacities, by fostering best practices, and by promoting a constant exchange of information and knowledge, the EU Delegation to Albania said in a statement.