web counter
LEXO PA REKLAMA!

SHKARKO APP

App Store
Google Play

E fundit!

x

Albania enters new phases of negotiations with the EU for the Customs Union

2025-05-26 15:50:00, Aktualitet CNA

Albania enters new phases of negotiations with the EU for the Customs Union

Albania has taken an important step on its path towards EU membership, as the EU Council approved the opening of negotiations on eight Cluster 3 chapters, including Chapter 29 on Customs Union. The European Commission assesses Albania's progress in aligning with the EU acquis and highlights the remaining obligations to achieve full customs union standards.

The Council of the European Union adopted on 8 May the EU common position on the opening of accession negotiations with Albania on 8 new chapters of Cluster 3: Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, marking another important step forward in Albania's negotiations for membership of the European Union. This cluster represents inclusive growth for prosperity and includes eight areas, including Chapter 29, Customs Union.

In the document published by the European Commission following the conclusion of the Fourth Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union and Albania in Brussels, on Chapter 29 – Customs Union, it is underlined that the EU welcomes Albania’s progress in approximation with the EU acquis in the field of customs legislation. The EU notes with satisfaction the high level of approximation of Albania with the EU acquis, in particular as regards customs debt and customs guarantees, customs valuation, customs procedures for import and export, special procedures other than transit, Authorised Economic Operators, as well as checks on the baggage of air and sea passengers.

The EU underlines the need for Albania to further approximate its legal framework to the EU acquis, including the implementing acts of the Union Customs Code and the Common Transit Convention. In particular, Albania should approximate its legislation on the customs status of goods, transit, customs risk management and security aspects, cultural goods, control of money and drug precursors. Scanning fees applied for carrying out customs controls should be abolished, as scanning should be treated as a normal customs control and not as a service provided by the customs authorities.

The EU welcomes Albania's adequate administrative and operational capacity to fulfil existing customs tasks. The EU invites Albania to further strengthen capacity building and staff recruitment before accession, in particular in the field of Information Technology (IT). The EU underlines the need for Albania to continue developing and improving existing IT systems, in line with the Multiannual Strategic Plan for e-Customs, to ensure alignment with EU customs systems and to guarantee interoperability. The EU recalls the need for Albania to allocate sufficient financial resources to all ongoing and planned IT projects.

The EU welcomes the existence of anti-corruption structures and measures in Albania to fight corruption in the customs area. The EU also welcomes Albania's intention to strengthen the fight against customs fraud, in particular against smuggling of tobacco products. The EU notes positively that standards of professional integrity and anti-corruption are being implemented in a sustainable manner. The EU stresses the need for Albania to have sufficient administrative and performance capacity, the integrity of the Customs Administration, as well as the necessary infrastructure in central and local customs offices to implement and enforce customs legislation and to effectively control and supervise cross-border movements. The EU notes that Albania is considering accession to the Protocol to the WHO Framework Convention to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

The acquis of the customs union consists of legislation that is directly binding on the Member States. It includes the EU Customs Code and its implementing provisions, the Combined Nomenclature, the Common Customs Tariff and the provisions on tariff classification, customs duty relief, duty suspensions and certain tariff quotas, as well as other provisions, such as those on customs control of counterfeit goods, raw materials for the production of drugs, the export of cultural goods, and mutual administrative assistance in customs and transit matters./ Monitor Magazine





Lajmet e fundit nga