The European Union project aims to bring Albania’s customs in line with EU standards. The project will continue until 2012, and it will be implemented by the Austrian Customs Administration and with the support of the Polish Customs Service.
TIRANA, March 17 – The European Union is investing 2 million euros on a project that aims to improve Albanian customs over than next two years, bringing them closer to EU standards, according to a statement by EU officials in Tirana.
“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 statement said. “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.”
This is the last in a long line of EU projects helping Albania. It 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 2 million euro project will continue until 2012 and it will be implemented by the Austrian Customs Administration and with the support of the Polish Customs Service.
During the project’s launching ceremony, the head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Helmuth Lohan said that it is the harmonization 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.
“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,” Mr. said. “For Albania to harmonize 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 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, according to EU officials.
