Events

MINSK, 16 March (BelTA) – A memorandum of understanding between the Belarusian State Customs Committee (SCC) and the Bulgarian National Customs Agency was signed in Minsk on 16 March, BelTA has learned.

The document was inked by SCC Chairman Yuri Senko and Head of Bulgaria’s National Customs Agency Rozalia Dimitrova. The memorandum provides for mutual exchange of information on customs law violations and ways to improve the legislation. It is also aimed at bolstering the cooperation between Belarus and Bulgaria in customs personnel training.

“The primary objective of our cooperation will be to ensure effective and stable operation of the customs services of the two countries and create favorable conditions for the movement of goods and vehicles. The Belarusian State Customs Committee believes it is necessary to establish sustainable and fruitful relations with the European country, because practical cooperation in customs matters may considerably facilitate mutual trade and create favorable conditions for combating crime and smuggling practices,” Yuri Senko pointed out.

He thanked Rozalia Dimitrova for choosing Belarus for her first visit in the capacity of the head of the Bulgarian National Customs Agency. The SCC Chairman expressed confidence that the meeting will help the customs services of Belarus and Bulgaria identify cooperation priorities and decide on specific steps to intensify their ties. Besides, it will contribute to the coordination of approaches to the development of the legal framework of cooperation.

Rozalia Dimitrova stressed that Bulgaria seeks closer cooperation with Belarus in customs matters, including in the fight against smuggling and drug trafficking. “Apart from that, we are ready to step up the cooperation between our educational institutions to improve the professional skills of Bulgarian and Belarusian customs officers,” she said.

The official visit of the delegation of the Bulgarian National Customs Agency to Belarus will run through 17 March. Members of the delegation will pay a visit to the transport and logistics center Minsk-Beltamozhservice-2 and the state institute for advanced training and retraining of the Belarusian customs service.