Bilateral Meeting between Albanian and Macedonian Customs Administrations: Increased cooperation in the field of Customs

The growth of trade relations with neighboring countries and the facilitation of procedures for reciprocal businesses as well as the exchange of information in real time are very important tasks of the Albanian Customs Administration. This was emphasized during a bilateral meeting held in Korca town between the General Director of Albanian Customs, Mrs. Belinda IKONOMI and the General Director of Macedonian Customs, Mr. Gjoko TANASOSKI. During this meeting, Mrs. IKONOMI appreciated the regular preliminary data exchange between the two respective Customs Administrations, which enables the electronic exchange of real-time data, contributing to the identification of higher risk cases and Customs violations.

The Head of two Customs Administrations agreed to set up a joint working group to monitor the implementation of the Agreements on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, as well as the cross-border cooperation and the possibility of a Joint Border Crossings Point at Qafe Thane-Kafasan.

We have a very good cooperation with the Macedonian Customs Administration in the framework of membership and joint activities under the World Customs Organization as well as regional activities organized by SELEC or various projects. During 2017 the volume of trade exchanges with Macedonia was 778.8 thousand tons with a value of 128 Million Euros.