Brussels, 9 December – The customs administrations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro signed today a Memorandum of Understanding, further expending the CEFTA-TCT Green Lanes with the European Union. The initiative towards EU Member States began in July this year with the establishment of the electronic exchange of data between North Macedonia and Greece, and continued in September with establishment of Blue Lanes between Albania, Montenegro and Italy. The signing enabled speeding up of customs procedures and other formalities at crossings, as the SEED+ system connects the customs administrations from Western Balkans and the European Union.
“Transport Community Permanent Secretariat welcomes the signing of the MoU and commends the visionary decision taken by the directors of the customs authorities of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. This represents a steppingstone to even better managed borders and lead to decrease of waiting times for transport of freight. We will continue supporting all parties for full extension of the Green Lanes, and until all components are in place,“ stated Transport Community Director Matej Zakonjšek.
Director of the CEFTA Secretariat, Emir Đikić, recalled the key benefits of the SEED solution – flexibility and adaptability to the needs of the customs administrations that use it in order to reduce formalities when transporting goods. “In addition to reducing waiting times at crossings, effectively facilitating transport and trade and reducing waiting times, businesses now get new opportunities to make better use of integrated supply chains with the EU market. All these are great and lasting benefits for the people of the Western Balkans and trade flows from the CEFTA region towards the EU,” said Djikić.
“The Green Corridors, as an important tool supporting smooth and efficient trade and transport integration of CEFTA Parties with neighbouring EU countries, proven to have a significant potential for cooperation between customs agencies. In this view, the Memoranda of Understanding will provide us with necessary instrument for further facilitation of legitimate trade, ensuring its safety and security and reducing illegal trade. In parallel, it will further deepen our customs cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, fully in line with EU customs legislation,” said Mario Demirović, Director of Customs Administration of Croatia.
