AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION ATTENDS CUSTOMS CONFERENCE OF WCO EUROPE REGIONAL HEADS

Baku, May 25 (AzerTAc). Aydin Aliyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan`s State Customs Committee and his accompanied delegation attended the World Customs Organization (WCO) Europe Regional Heads Customs Conference in Bergen, Norway.
The Conference, which was hosted by the Norwegian Customs Administration, was attended by Kunio Mikuriya, the WCO Secretary General, and Martyn Dunne, the Chairperson of the WCO Council.
Following the comprehensive presentation by the Secretary General, the meeting discussed a number of important issues, including the global financial crisis, regional priorities for Customs in the 21st Century and the European region`s capacity building strategy.
Addressing the meeting participants, Mr. Aliyev informed about projects being implemented in Azerbaijan as a part of “State program on development of the customs system in Azerbaijan, 2007-2011s. He offered to open office of the Customs System Development Institute for Europe in Azerbaijan.
Delegates of the largest WCO region welcomed the Secretary General`s messages and supported his calls to raise their engagement in the implementation of the building blocks identified in the Customs in the 21st century policy document. They extensively discussed and agreed on a way forward in shaping the “Globally Networked Customs” concept, including the carrying-out of a feasibility study and a suggestion to establish a High Level Working Group.
The meeting also endorsed the establishment of an ROCB in Azerbaijan and two RTC`s in Kazakhstan and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) respectively to enhance WCO regional initiatives relating to capacity building.
The even brought together 96 representatives from 44 countries.